Your hormones play a big role in how and where your hair grows. They act like messengers that tell your body what to do — including how much body hair you have and where it shows up. Hormones like testosterone and DHT (dihydrotestosterone) can increase body hair and facial hair growth, especially in places like the upper lip, chest, or back. Estrogen, on the other hand, helps keep the hair on your head healthy but usually reduces body hair. These hormone signals travel through your bloodstream and connect with hair follicle cells all over your body. That’s why hair grows differently in different areas — and why some people see more body hair than others. Your hormone levels, genetic factors, and health conditions all affect hair growth. Understanding this connection can help explain things like excess hair growth, thinning hair, or why new hair growth might show up in places you didn’t expect. It can also help make sense of common issues like hair loss, unwanted hair, or changes linked to birth control pills, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or a hormonal disorder. If you’ve ever wondered why your body hair changes — or why you're noticing increased body hair or darker, thicker facial hair — keep reading. This article breaks down the basics of how your hormones affect hair growth, what’s normal, and what might point to an underlying condition.
