Human Anatomy & Physiology

Hair Growth Patterns of the Human Body
by Andrew Thompson (2008, revised 2012)

Except for approximately 1 person in 1000, and whether male or female, everyone has the same standard hair growth pattern.  See diagram below.

Put simply, body hair grows towards extremities, eg “lumps and holes”.

For example, hair on the middle arm grows towards the elbow, while the upper arm grows towards the shoulder.  Hair on the stomach grows towards the navel, while hair on the lower leg grows towards the feet.  Male pubic hair grows towards the tip of the penis, women’s pubic hair grows towards the vagina.

When waxing, in all cases, apply the wax in the direction of hair growth with "mildly firm" pressure, then remove swiftly in the opposite direction.  Sometimes it can be difficult to apply wax in the exact direction of hair growth, in which case, a slightly diagonal application will often suffice.

However, the more accurate you are in following the hair growth pattern, the less pain for the client, and the better result.  Be a thinking Therapist.  Never apply wax against the hair growth pattern.

Tender Areas

Just as hair growth patterns are the same from person to person, so are areas of tenderness.  Many of the areas are common for men and women.

Girls:

• Labia – highly enervated, very loose skin,
• Perineum – largest concentration of nerves on female body, thin sharp hair,
• Face – microscopic nerve endings, sharp thin hair Forearms – due to environmental exposure

Guys:

• Sides and top of the penis base – huge concentration of nerves, thick hair,
• Perineum – largest concentration of nerves on male body, thin sharp hair,
• Face – deep rooted thick hair, highly enervated,
• Forearms – due to environmental exposure,
• Chest – intracostal muscles between ribs directly beneath area, highly enervated,
• Nape – extreme sensitivity due to environmental exposure,
• Sides of stomach – intracostal muscles highly enervated

Exploding Myths

• No one has ever lost a nipple or testicle from waxing;
• A bum wax doesn’t hurt. Beyond the anus, there are very few superficial nerves, and no hair grows on the anus itself.  It is the least tender part of the body to be waxed;
• A client should not take pain relief before getting a wax, and it is extremely unprofessional for a therapist to suggest that they do.  Telling them to take pain relief is telling them that they have something to fear and that only makes it ten times worse for them.  If a client is that worked up with worry, they should not get waxed.

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