Have you ever wondered why pubic hair tends to be thicker and curlier compared to hair in other regions of the body? Many of us have likely pondered this question at some point. Recently, South Korean researchers have put forth an intriguing hypothesis based on the structural evolution of pubic hair in response to its surrounding environment, and it's been covered in news articles.
음모의 내부를 찍은 전자현미경 사진. 
Experimental Dermatology 9월호 표지. [사진=서강대학교]
A recent study conducted by Sogang University's Bio-Interface Research Institute has been published in the latest issue of "Experimental Dermatology," a leading journal in the field of skin and hair. After examining both hair and pubic hair using advanced spectroscopy and electron microscopy, the researchers have presented a new hypothesis explaining why pubic hair is thicker and curlier.
How are pubic hairs different
The study, which surveyed South Korean men aged 20 to 40, found that pubic hair indeed has a thicker and more robust cuticle layer compared to regular hair. Additionally, pubic hair is exposed in a completely different arrangement from regular hair.
The researchers discovered that this physically stronger cuticle layer in pubic hair provides enhanced resistance to external factors, such as contamination from substances like urine. Even in environments with high acidity or alkalinity, pubic hair experiences less physical and chemical damage compared to regular hair, thus offering more effective protection for critical parts of the body.
In essence, thick and curly pubic hair proves to be more resilient to contamination and deformation than regular hair, providing more effective protection for vital areas of the body.
The human body never ceases to amaze with its mysteries.