Why do old men go bald, but get hairy nostrils?

The phenomenon is annoying and strange, and not well understood...


Asked by: Sean Miller, by email

Male pattern baldness is caused by the hormone DHT or dihydro-testosterone. This has many other effects on the body and it is thought to inhibit hair loss in the nostrils so that each shaft has a longer growing phase. But the exact mechanism is still not well understood.

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