Do people with armpit hair sweat more?

People with armpit hair do not sweat more than people without armpit hair. The number and activity of the sweat glands determines how much a person sweats, and armpit hair has no direct influence on this.

Underarm hair can play a role in how sweat is perceived. Underarm hair can trap sweat and help spread it across a larger surface area of ​​the skin. This can help speed evaporation, which has a cooling effect.

Sweat itself is odorless, but bacteria on the skin break down sweat, which can cause odor. Underarm hair can provide bacteria with a larger surface area, potentially increasing odor.

Underarm hair can protect the skin from friction, especially during exercise, preventing irritation.

If you want to reduce odor or sweat buildup under your arms, shaving or trimming underarm hair can sometimes help, but it won’t change the amount of sweat you produce.

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2025-01-26 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2025