Development and Function
Underarm hair, as human body hair, normally starts to appear at the beginning of puberty, with growth usually completed by the end of the teen-age years. The evolutionary significance of human underarm hair is still debated. It may naturally wick sweat or other moisture away from the skin, aiding in maintaining good ventilation. Colonization by odor-producing bacteria is thereby transferred away from the skin (see skin flora). Underarm hair may also provide a natural anti-friction quality between the upper arm and the thorax.. A more controversial view is that it may facilitate the release of sexual-attractant pheromones from the underarm.
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