Underarm hair acts as an insulator and collector. Pheromones, which are chemicals that transmit subconscious sexual information to other members of the species, collect on the hair. Since it is a common practice to cover up the smell of pheromones with deodorants, underarm hair serves no real purpose in today's society. Many girls and women remove their hair to cut down on odor and conform to modern fashion sensibilities.
Appearance
Underarm hair varies in abundance, thickness and color. Some girls grow only a light smattering of hair, while others grow an abundance of dark, coarse hair. The color usually mirrors the natural hair color, but it can be several shades darker. Most of the time, the hair grows in the hollow part of the armpit, but it can grow to cover a large area of the underarm.
Age
Girls generally develop underarm hair during the latter stages of puberty, which occurs between the ages of 8 and 13, according to KidsHealth. However, variation exists among individuals.
Puberty
The presence of underarm hair indicates that a girl is transitioning through puberty, a period covering several years during which a girl becomes sexually mature. Other signs of puberty include underarm odor, breast development, pubic hair, abrupt change in height, development of fat on the hips and thighs and menstruation.
Removal
Many girls remove underarm hair by shaving the hair off with a disposable safety razor. To remove underarm hair in this manner, wet the area and apply a thin layer of shaving cream. Lightly run the blade along the skin in the direction of hair growth, rinsing the blade after each pass. Rinse away any remaining shaving cream with warm water, and dry the area with a towel.
Considerations
Hair removal may cause skin irritation, nicks, cuts or ingrown hairs. To reduce the risk of complications, use a fresh razor and lather the area with shaving cream. Never shave against the hair growth. Avoid placing deodorant, lotion or body spray on the area right after shaving.
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