Every woman expects to find dark hair on her legs, armpits, and lady parts. But dark strands in other spots—like around your nipples or on your big toe—may seem a little…alarming. Chances are you’ve looked in the mirror and convinced yourself you’re the only one with a random smattering of out-of-place body hairs. There’s no way your friends have black toe hair, right?
Wrong. They all probably do—if not on their toes, than on some other part you’re not likely to see on a waxing menu. They’re just also feeling self-conscious and quietly shaving it off so that no one will know their dark secret, either. But if you have hair in any of the places below, rest assured you’re not the only one. And it’s totally, completely normal. There, we said it. Secret’s officially out.
1. Nipples
Hair on the areola (the skin surrounding the nipple) is actually completely normal and more common than you think. “It’s thought that roughly 30 percent of women have hair growth in this area, but the number is likely higher as many women probably don’t mention it to their doctor,” Sejal Shah, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and RealSelf advisor, tells SELF. “Like most areas of the skin, the areola contains hair follicles, so it’s not surprising that those hair follicles would sprout hairs.” Most women have anywhere from 2-15 hairs on each side, she says. Regular hormonal changes from things like puberty, pregnancy, or menopause, or medications like birth control, can spark their growth. However, nipple hair can also be a side effect of a hormonal problem like PCOS, “so if you feel that your hair growth is rapid, abnormal or thicker than it should be,” or if you have other symptoms of PCOS, see your doctor.
2. Belly
You know, that line from your belly button to your lady parts. “Having fine hair on the abdomen is pretty common but occasionally a few thicker longer hairs may develop and this can be completely normal,” Shah says. Like most body hair, it’s typically more common in women with darker hair and/or skin. “Like nipple hair, it is due to normal hormonal shifts and genetics.”
3. Moles
“Moles are collections of pigment-producing cells, or melanocytes,” Shah explains. “If the mole contains a hair follicle, the excess pigment from the excess melanocytes causes the hair to be darker and coarser.” Having a hair or two growing out of a mole doesn’t mean there’s anything fishy going on—in fact, dermatologists say it probably means the mole is healthy. Of course, you should always take stock of any moles or other skin spots and keep a close eye out for potential signs of skin cancer.
4. Knuckles and toes
Slipping into sandals and noticing a few extra-long black hairs on your toe might be unsettling. It’s likely they’ve been there since puberty, though. “It’s usually genetic and normal hormonal shifts as we age can cause the hair to become thicker and darker,” Shah says.
5. Chin
If you look very closely, you’ll probably notice fine hairs all over your face, “but some women have darker, thicker hairs in the chin area,” Shah notes. Just a few that pop up every now and then is normal, thanks to genetics and regular hormonal fluctuations. Give them a quick tweeze and call it a day. But if the hair is very thick and coarse, or you have more than just a few strands, it could be a sign your hormones are out of whack. “It may still be normal, but it’s probably best to see your doctor to ensure you don’t have a hormonal issue that could be causing the hair growth,” Shah recommends.
