Nasal Hair: Don’t Pluck It Randomly—Here’s Why It Matters

Zhou, a 32-year-old single man, recently had an awkward blind date experience. The woman was put off by his constantly protruding nasal hair and asked the matchmaker to pass on a message: "I’ve heard that men with unruly nasal hair are playboys." Embarrassed and flustered, Zhou rushed home and started plucking his nasal hair vigorously—so hard that he cried out in pain. But even after pulling out most of his nasal hair, the pain in his nose persisted. He went to the hospital for a check-up, and the doctor found that his nasal cavity was almost devoid of nasal hair, with swelling and redness in the nasal vestibule and damaged hair follicles. Zhou ended up being hospitalized for a week of treatment. Looking back on this ordeal, Zhou finds it ridiculous now, but he still doesn’t understand why his nasal hair grew so long.

Why Do Some Have Long, Protruding Nasal Hair?

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1. The Functions of Nasal Hair

Every organ and hair on the human body exists for a reason—and nasal hair is no exception. Located inside the nasal cavity, nasal hair acts as a filter, blocking dust and bacteria in the air from entering the respiratory system. In cold weather, it also helps warm the cold air inhaled through the nose and keeps the nasal cavity moist. Additionally, nasal hair protects the olfactory nerves beneath the nasal skin. Though small and easy to overlook, nasal hair plays multiple vital roles in maintaining our health.

2. Why Do Some People Have Long, Protruding Nasal Hair?

Nasal hair growth is influenced by several factors. For men, one common cause is excessive secretion of androgens (male hormones), which stimulates hair follicle growth. Frequent nose-picking can also irritate the hair follicles, prompting them to secrete more growth hormones and accelerate nasal hair growth. Studies have shown that harmful substances in cigarettes may also speed up nasal hair growth, meaning long-term smokers are more likely to have fast-growing, long nasal hair. Furthermore, people living in environments with severe air pollution tend to have quicker nasal hair growth, as the body needs stronger "filtration" to protect the respiratory system.