Why do we have hair in our armpits? Does it act to lubricate the skin there? Probably not. Prepubescent children don't have any, and so it probably isn't that important for normal functioning. Since it starts growing around puberty, I would guess that it is related to sexuality and reproduction, such as a flag that the person is physically mature enough to procreate. But who finds underarm hair attractive? I think the hair probably better holds the odor created by the bacteria that lives on our skins and grow when we sweat. But again, what good is that? The only explanation I can find is that the hair holds also holds pheremones that are secreted by our glands, which would better attract mates.
Posted by seander at March 15, 2004 10:05 AM