Why do native americans not have facial hair

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Last updated: April 8, 2026

Quick Answer: Native Americans do have facial hair, but it tends to be less dense than in some other populations due to genetic factors. Genetic studies show that variations in the EDAR gene, which affects hair follicle development, are common in East Asian and Indigenous American populations, contributing to sparser facial hair. Historical accounts from European colonizers often noted this trait, but it's a matter of degree rather than absence. Modern Native American individuals exhibit the full range of facial hair growth, influenced by both genetics and personal grooming choices.

Key Facts

The EDAR gene variant (370A) associated with reduced facial hair is found in approximately 93% of Han Chinese and high frequencies in Indigenous American populations
A 2013 study in Nature Genetics linked EDAR variants to hair thickness differences across populations
Historical records from the 1500s-1700s by European explorers frequently commented on Native Americans' sparse facial hair
Testosterone levels, which influence facial hair growth, do not differ significantly between Native American and European populations
Modern surveys show over 85% of Native American men can grow some facial hair, though density varies individually

Overview

The question of Native Americans and facial hair stems from historical observations by European colonizers who noted differences in facial hair density compared to European populations. Genetic research has since revealed that Indigenous American populations, who migrated from Northeast Asia approximately 15,000-20,000 years ago, share certain genetic traits with East Asian populations that affect hair characteristics. The EDAR gene (Ectodysplasin A receptor), which plays a crucial role in hair follicle development, shows a specific variant (370A) that is prevalent in both East Asian and Indigenous American populations. This genetic background, combined with the founder effect during migration across the Bering Land Bridge, contributed to the phenotypic traits observed by early European settlers. It's important to note that these are population-level tendencies, not absolute rules, and individual variation exists within all populations.

How It Works

The biological mechanism behind facial hair differences involves genetics, hormones, and hair follicle development. The EDAR gene produces a receptor protein that influences ectodermal development, including hair follicles. The 370A variant of this gene, common in Indigenous American populations, results in smaller and fewer hair follicles, leading to generally sparser body and facial hair. Testosterone and its derivative dihydrotestosterone (DHT) still stimulate facial hair growth in Native American men, but the genetic blueprint provides fewer follicles to respond to these hormones. Hair growth follows a three-phase cycle (anagen, catagen, telogen) that is genetically programmed, and the EDAR variant affects the anagen (growth) phase duration and follicle density. Environmental factors like nutrition and health can modify expression, but the primary determinant is genetic inheritance from ancestral populations.

Why It Matters

Understanding these genetic differences matters for several reasons. Scientifically, it illustrates how human populations adapted to different environments, with theories suggesting the EDAR variant may have provided advantages in cold climates through changes in sweat gland distribution. Culturally, correcting the misconception that Native Americans "don't have" facial hair is important for accurate representation and combating stereotypes. Medically, understanding genetic variations in hair follicle development has implications for treating conditions like alopecia. Historically, it shows how observable physical differences were often misinterpreted by colonizers as signs of racial hierarchy rather than natural genetic variation. Today, recognizing this as normal human diversity promotes more accurate anthropological understanding and respectful cross-cultural dialogue.