Testosterone is an important hormone that contributes to several male characteristics, including increased muscle mass, bone density, strength, and energy levels. One visible sign that is commonly associated with high testosterone levels in men is increased body and facial hair.
However, there are several factors that influence body hair growth beyond just testosterone:
- Genetics play a major role. Some men are simply genetically predisposed to being more or less hairy than others, regardless of hormone levels. Ethnic background also impacts hairiness.
- The sensitivity of your follicles to testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and other androgens can affect hair growth. Not all hair follicles react the same way to androgens.
- Age matters. Testosterone levels peak during puberty and early adulthood, leading to increased body hair from that point forward for most men. Testosterone declines with age, but body hair remains.
So while testosterone clearly impacts body hair growth, especially during and after puberty, higher testosterone levels do not always equate to more body hair later in life.
- Some men maintain higher testosterone levels but have less body hair.
- Others have low-normal testosterone accompanied by increased hair growth over time.
The interaction between testosterone, genetics, age, and hair follicle sensitivity is complex. There is no absolute correlation between high testosterone equaling increased body hair that applies to all men.
Now, for the face specifically, there does tend to be a stronger link between testosterone and facial hair growth:
- Facial hair growth during puberty is clearly tied to rising testosterone levels. The development of adult facial hair only occurs post-puberty.
- Some studies show men with hirsutism (excessive facial and body hair growth) also have high testosterone levels.
So while it’s not always true for body hair, if a post-pubescent man has very thick or heavy facial hair growth, it
may indicate he has a higher testosterone level or increased sensitivity to androgens in those areas.
Recommendations for Hair/Hormone Evaluation
If you are concerned about unusual or excessive hair growth, have signs of hormonal imbalance, or just want to optimize your health, I recommend having your hormone levels fully evaluated by an endocrinologist or anti-aging specialist. This may include testing for:
Understanding your individual hormone profile is key for developing the right treatment plan if any hormonal imbalances or deficiencies are found.