WARNING: This site features very frank discussion and occasionally explicit images of medical conditions.
Parental guidance is recommended.

Embarrassing Bodies , 9:00pm Friday 19th March 2010 on Channel 4. Catch up for free »

Video

Am I Normal: Hair

Dr Dawn Harper discusses what is and isn’t normal when it comes to body hair. For both girls and boys, growing up can lead to the development of body hair in some surprising places. Dr Dawn looks at some of the common concerns and gets the opinions of the cast of Hollyoaks.

If you’d prefer to watch this video on your mobile, then download our specially produced version for your mobile phone from the Channel 4 Mobile site.

Just text Normal to 84444

Texts and data are charged at your standard network rate.
Terms and Conditions at channel4.com/mobile

With thanks to:
Hollyoaks
University of Birmingham Hockey Club
Llanelli Youth Theatre
Tetbury Hospital

Did you find this useful? YesYes NoNo

576 of 983 people said they found this useful

Comments and Questions

Older comments

You can share your experiences and thoughts with other Embarrassing Bodies site-users below. Comments & Questions are reviewed by moderators, but if you see anything on the site that worries you, please report it and one of our moderators will look at it as soon as possible.
Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.

hi im a 18 year old female. i have a really hairy bum and its so embarrassing. my boyfriend wants us to have anal sex but i dnt want to because of all this hair. i have tried shaving but it leaves me with a red rash. is there anything i can do?

Asked on 11 Mar 2010 13:40 by [No First Name Supplied]
replies - can you help?
Answer now Report this as offensive





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your answer.


Please don't swear or be rude in your answers, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting answers. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

i have a really hairy back, stomach and arms. i normally wear hoody's or t-shirts to cover up my back. what can i do to get rid of it as i can't shave my back? someone help please

Posted on 9 Mar 2010 19:27 by Helen
Reply to this comment Report this as offensive





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

I have hair on my tummy and around my belly button and find it hard to cover it. if i shave it grows back and ive tried veet.. what other products are out there or are there any perminant hair removals out there?

Asked on 7 Mar 2010 15:46 by Kim
replies - can you help?
Answer now Report this as offensive





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your answer.


Please don't swear or be rude in your answers, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting answers. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

hi i am 19. i am going bold towards the back of my head and am losing alot of hair that is very noticeable. also, i have alot of body hair from my back to my neck right down to my back side and toes. it is litrally everywhere. i am young aswell and also fear that there is alot more to come and grow. is there something i can do please ? as this has knocked my confidence right off with mixing people e.g friends/opposite sex etc. help is required a.s.a.p please. thnk you xxx

Posted on 5 Mar 2010 23:23 by (No
Reply to this comment Report this as offensive





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

if you have any answers to this off others please let me now,i have had hair on my breasts ,stomach, chin,top of the legs, sideburns,very thick and black,for atleast 20 years now ,i hate it,ifeel like a ape, do not feel femanine at all,but im very lucky to have a hubby who loves me anyway,but he understands how much i want rid ,but the electrolisis is expensive i cant afford it, any answers would be helpful ,if you get any ,

Posted on 8 Mar 2010 21:48 by jacqui
In reply to (No first name supplied) Report this as offensive

hi i am 25 i have few hairs growing on my nipples not loads but i really hate it i have shaved few times but makes it worse dose anyone know anythink bout why they grow there dident have a problem with them b4 but now i have dose anyone know what i could do too get rid of them plz anythink?? i have a husband and i am ashamed to be seen.

Posted on 2 Mar 2010 23:24 by sammy
Reply to this comment Report this as offensive





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

me and my boyfriend have been together around 4 months. weve been having frequent sex and everything was fine to begin with, but recently ive been suffering from a small amount of pain afterwards, weve both been tested for sti's and all were negative and i dont know what could be wrong. Also i shave my pubic hair, but i get really bad spots which bleed when caught, i already used sensitive shaving cream, can you recommend anything else? thank you

Posted on 28 Feb 2010 21:43 by kayleigh
Reply to this comment Report this as offensive





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

Ive shaved my pubes for the 2nd time and have a kind of red rash made of red bumps some are small and some are big and some have black or white centres. I squeezed one and i think a hair may of come out of it along with some puss. I was in the shower when i shaved and didnt use any shave gel or foam. Please help it's really sensetive and saw.

Posted on 28 Feb 2010 21:32 by Ben
Reply to this comment Report this as offensive





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

hi im 15 and have a really hairy back and its really anoying i dont like wearing bikinis or short tops . wat can i do ? please help :)

Posted on 27 Feb 2010 22:25 by Sarah
Reply to this comment Report this as offensive





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

Hi I am a 17 year old female and do not know wheather to shave my pubic hair or not, i dont want to do whats best for for any guy or anything, only whats best and most hygienic for me! I also suffer from sweaty palm if I get nervous and embarrassed and dont know how to prevent this:( Can u please help (:

Posted on 26 Feb 2010 20:26 by Shauna
Reply to this comment Report this as offensive





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

hi im 16 and i was wondering does shaving with a blade really cause spots to come out more because i have been suffering with spots for a while. is it better to just use facial dubbers?

Posted on 21 Feb 2010 13:03 by Ryan
Reply to this comment Report this as offensive





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

Older comments





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.



Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

It looks like no one else has asked this question, so please fill in the rest of your details below.





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your answer.



Please don't swear or be rude in your questions, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting questions. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines


More Information

  1. Tinnitus

    In Conditions - Sufferers of tinnitus can hear noise within their ear or head that…

  2. Trichotillomania

    In Conditions - Trichotillomania is a compulsive disorder that results in sufferers…

  3. Ingrowing Pubic Hair

    In Conditions - A pubic hair that grows at an abnormal angle and then turns back in…

  4. Phthirus Pubis

    In Conditions - An infestation by tiny parasitic insects that live in coarse body h…

  5. Am I Normal?

    In Episodes - Episode 2 of Embarrassing Teenage Bodies looks at conditions includ…

  6. Premature Greying

    In Conditions - When hair turns grey at a young age, many years before it would nat…

  7. Quick Health Advice: Male Hairloss

    In Videos - Dr Christian explains the causes of male hairloss and the treatment…

  8. Alopecia

    In Conditions - Baldness or loss of patches of hair amongst women.

  9. Hirsutism

    In Conditions - A condition where a woman grows too much body or facial hair in a p…

  10. Precocious Puberty

    In Conditions - This unusual condition results in the very early onset of puberty a…

  11. Premenstrual Syndrome

    In Conditions - Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is the catch-all term given to a range…

  12. Diabetes

    In Conditions - Diabetes affects over 2 million people in the UK alone and many mor…

  13. Sunburn

    In Conditions - Sunburn is caused by ultraviolet (UV) light overheating and blister…

  14. Body Check: Sweat

    In Videos - Dr Christian explains the importance of knowing your sweat levels a…

  15. Problem Piercings

    In Conditions - People have been piercing their bodies for thousands of years, but…


Be on the Show

Have you been inspired by the patients in the current series to seek help for your problem? Apply to be on the show here >

Important Notice

The information provided on this website (including any NHS Choices medical information) is for use as information or for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. We do not warrant that any information included within this site will meet your health or medical requirements. This Embarrassing Bodies site does not provide any medical or diagnostic services so you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.


If you want to embed our videos in your site, read our embedding T&Cs here