What causes hair growth in older men? A Deep Dive into Hormones and Genetics

By age 50, roughly half of all men experience some degree of male pattern baldness, yet paradoxically, many also notice new, thicker hair sprouting from their ears and nose. Understanding what causes hair growth in older men requires a look at the complex interplay of hormones and genetics over a lifetime.

Quick Summary

Changes in hormonal sensitivity over time, rather than a single hormone level, cause hair follicles in certain areas like the ears and nose to become more active and produce longer, coarser hair, while scalp hair follicles shrink.

Key Points

• Hormonal Shift: As men age, the cumulative effect of testosterone exposure causes hair follicles in certain areas like the ears and nose to become more sensitive and productive.

• DHT's Dual Action: Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a testosterone derivative, causes scalp hair loss while contributing to increased growth in other areas like the ears and nose.

• Genetics is a Key Factor: An individual's genetic makeup largely determines their specific hair growth pattern and sensitivity to hormones during the aging process.

• Normal Aging Process: The phenomenon of increased hair in certain areas is a common and natural part of aging and is not typically a cause for medical concern.

• Medication Impact: Some medications, like oral minoxidil, can list increased hair growth as a possible side effect, contributing to unwanted hair.

• Management Options: Solutions for dealing with unwanted hair range from temporary fixes like trimming and waxing to more permanent methods like laser removal or electrolysis.

The Hormonal Shift: Explaining the Paradoxical Hair Growth

For many men, the aging process presents a puzzling contradiction: the hair on their scalp thins and recedes, while hair in other, often unwanted, places grows thicker and more noticeably. This is not a coincidence but a direct result of how hair follicles across different parts of the body respond differently to hormonal signals over many years. The key player is the hormone testosterone, and its more potent derivative, dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

The Dual Role of Androgens (Testosterone and DHT)

Androgens are the sex hormones that regulate male characteristics, including hair growth. Their effect is not uniform across the body. In fact, it is highly site-specific.

• Scalp Hair: For men with a genetic predisposition to baldness, hair follicles on the scalp are highly sensitive to DHT. Over time, DHT causes these follicles to miniaturize, a process that results in shorter, finer hair until the follicle ceases to produce hair altogether. This is the mechanism behind male pattern baldness.
• Ears, Nose, and Eyebrows: In contrast, hair follicles in areas like the ears and nose become increasingly sensitive to testosterone over decades of exposure. Instead of miniaturizing, these follicles become larger and stay in the growth phase for a longer period, resulting in the production of longer, coarser, and more visible hairs. This sensitivity difference is the primary reason for the phenomenon.

The Impact of Age and Hormone-Binding Globulins

While overall testosterone levels in men tend to decline with age, the body also sees an increase in hormone-binding globulins. These proteins bind to testosterone, altering the signals sent to hair follicles. This shift in hormonal messaging, combined with the cumulative effects of long-term androgen exposure, is thought to play a role in the changes observed in hair growth patterns across the body.

More Than Just Hormones: Other Contributing Factors

While hormonal sensitivity is the main driver, other factors can also influence hair growth in older men.

• Genetic Blueprint: As with many age-related changes, genetics play a huge role. An individual's inherited genes determine how sensitive their follicles are to testosterone and DHT. This is why some men remain relatively hair-free in their ears and nose throughout their lives, while others experience significant growth.
• Senescent Alopecia: Separate from androgen-driven hair loss, there is a distinct, non-androgenic thinning called senescent alopecia, which begins after age 60. This type of thinning is associated with normal systemic aging processes and a general decline in the hair follicles' ability to regenerate.
• Medication Side Effects: Certain medications can cause increased hair growth as a side effect. For example, oral minoxidil, a drug used to treat hypertension, is known to cause generalized hair growth, including on the face and body.
• Environmental and Lifestyle Factors: Extrinsic factors like smoking, UV light exposure, and poor nutrition can negatively impact hair health, though their role in specific localized hair growth is less understood.

Options for Managing Unwanted Hair

If the increase in hair growth is bothersome, older men have several options for management, ranging from temporary solutions to more permanent ones.

1. Trimming and Shaving: A quick and inexpensive solution for excess nose, ear, or eyebrow hair. This requires regular upkeep to maintain results.
2. Waxing: Can be used to remove hair from larger areas like the ears for a longer-lasting effect than trimming. It can be painful and may irritate sensitive skin.
3. Depilatory Creams: Chemical creams can dissolve hair above the skin's surface, offering a temporary, painless removal method. Always perform a patch test first to check for skin sensitivity.
4. Laser Hair Removal: This method uses concentrated light to damage hair follicles and inhibit future growth. It works best on individuals with darker hair and lighter skin and typically requires multiple sessions for optimal results.
5. Electrolysis: Involves inserting a tiny needle into each hair follicle to destroy it with an electric current. It can permanently remove hair regardless of color, but it can be painful and is a time-consuming process.

Age-Related Hair Changes: A Comparison by Body Area

To better illustrate the differences, consider this comparison of how aging and hormones affect hair in various locations:

Area	Hormonal Influences	Result in Older Men	Duration of Growth Phase	Texture Changes
Scalp	Follicles sensitive to DHT, causing miniaturization.	Thinning, receding hairline, eventual baldness.	Growth phase (anagen) shortens.	Finer, less dense hair.
Ears & Nose	Follicles gain sensitivity to testosterone over time.	Longer, thicker, and coarser hairs emerge.	Growth phase (anagen) lengthens.	Coarser, more prominent hair.
Eyebrows	Less understood, but possibly age and hormone related.	Can become bushier or more unruly.	Varies, but tends to stay in anagen longer.	Coarser hair, may grow longer.
Body Hair	Generally less sensitive than scalp, but varies by location.	Often thins out or disappears on limbs and chest.	Shortens in some areas, may lengthen in others.	Can become finer in some areas.

Conclusion: A Normal Part of the Aging Process

Ultimately, the complex process of what causes hair growth in older men is a normal, non-harmful part of aging driven by a mix of hormonal shifts and genetic predispositions. While many men focus on the loss of hair from their scalp, the increase in growth elsewhere is simply a different manifestation of the same underlying age-related changes. For those bothered by this cosmetic issue, numerous safe and effective management options are available.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult with a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. For more detailed scientific insights into the hormonal effects on hair follicles, a valuable resource is provided here: Hormonal Effects on Hair Follicles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it normal for ear hair to grow thicker with age?

Yes, it is very common and a normal part of aging for hair in the ears, nose, and eyebrows to become longer and thicker. This is a result of long-term exposure to androgens, or male hormones.

Do higher testosterone levels cause hair growth in older men?

Not directly. Paradoxically, while overall testosterone levels decline with age, the cumulative effect over time, along with increased follicle sensitivity in specific areas, is what leads to hair growth in places like the ears and nose.

Can certain medications cause increased hair growth in elderly men?

Yes, some medications can have increased hair growth as a side effect. For example, oral minoxidil, used for high blood pressure, is known to cause unwanted hair growth.

Is there any evolutionary reason for nose and ear hair to increase with age?

Scientists have not reached a consensus on a specific evolutionary purpose for this age-related hair change. Some speculate it could be a leftover trait, but there's no agreed-upon theory.

Can a person's diet or supplements affect unwanted hair growth in older men?

While a balanced diet is important for overall health, there is no strong scientific evidence suggesting that specific dietary changes or supplements can prevent or reverse age-related unwanted hair growth.

Is unwanted hair growth a sign of a serious health problem?

In most cases, no, it is a normal part of the aging process. However, if hair growth is sudden, severe, or accompanied by other symptoms, it's wise to consult a doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions.

What is the most effective way to remove thick nose or ear hair permanently?

For permanent results, professional treatments like laser hair removal or electrolysis are often the most effective. Regular trimming is a temporary and less costly option.

Why does scalp hair thin while other hair grows thicker?

This is due to the different sensitivities of hair follicles. While scalp follicles may shrink over time in response to DHT (causing hair loss), other follicles, such as those on the ears, become more sensitive to androgens over a lifetime, leading to thicker growth.

Does hair color change with age also affect its growth?

Hair graying, which also occurs with age due to decreased melanin, is a separate process from changes in growth patterns. Both are normal parts of aging, but one does not cause the other.