By stage 4, the pubic hair looks like adult hair in terms of thickness and curliness. However, it covers a smaller area than it will in a fully developed adult. It has not yet spread to the inner thighs or up toward the belly button. The hair is now dense and may require grooming or trimming if an individual chooses. This stage usually occurs in the mid-to-late teens. Stage 5: Full Distribution
Pubic hair growth is triggered by the onset of puberty, which is caused by hormonal changes in the body. As the body begins to produce more estrogen (in females) and testosterone (in males), it responds by developing secondary sex characteristics, including pubic hair.
During this stage, the pubic hair becomes coarser and darker. It may still be sparse, but it starts to become more noticeable.
Understanding these stages helps demystify the transition into adulthood. While the Tanner Scale provides a roadmap, it is important to remember that "normal" is a broad spectrum, and reaching these milestones a little earlier or later than peers is rarely a cause for medical concern.
In this stage, sparse, light-colored hair begins to appear on the labia (in females) or at the base of the penis (in males). The hair is usually soft and fine.
