The Hairy Hominid
How does leg hair know to grow back the same length? And why do we have body hair?
Curious Cases · BBC Radio 4
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Show Notes
Our science detectives answer the following perplexing problem, sent in by Hannah Monteith from Edinburgh in Scotland:
"How does leg hair know it has been cut? It doesn't seem to grow continuously but if you shave it, it somehow knows to grow back."
Hannah consults dermatologist Dr Susan Holmes, from the Hair Clinic at Southern General Hospital in Glasgow, to discover why the hairs on your legs don't grow as long as the hairs on your head.
Adam attempts to have a serious discussion about the evolutionary purpose of pubic hair with anatomist and broadcaster Prof Alice Roberts.
If you have a scientific mystery for the team to investigate, please email: [email protected]
Presenters: Hannah Fry, Adam Rutherford Producer: Michelle Martin.