Hirsutism: Excess Body Hair Growth in Women Causes and Treatment

Chin Hair

Hirsutism is excess hair growth on the body or face. For women, the hair may grow in areas where men often have a lot of hair, but women often don’t. This includes the upper lip, chin, chest, and back. It’s caused by an excess of male hormones called androgens. All women naturally produce small amounts of androgens. But high levels of this hormone can lead to hirsutism.

Although most women don’t grow beards, spindly chin hair can be a common occurrence. Often, this is normal, and a product of age or hormone imbalance during pregnancy, for example. Dr. Dendy Engelman tells Glamour that a few hairs on the chin are just part of the deal for most women.

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They may well be unwanted, but usually, they’re only visible if you look closely in the mirror anyway.

Genetics: Excess chin hair might just be genetic. If your grandmother has a few stray hairs, you too might experience the same in later life.

Unbalanced hormones: Hormones are often the culprit behind your body doing abnormal things. Chin’s hair included. It might be an overabundance of male s*x hormones, called androgens.

Age: That’s you being a grandmother again. If you get to 70, 80, 90, be prepared for the possibility. They might arrive earlier, during menopause, due to the fact women start producing less estrogen.

Polycystic ovary syndrome: This is a more serious thing. Shortened to PCOS, the condition can have a profound impact on reproductive health and hormones. Chin hair alone isn’t a sign but twinned with symptoms such as irregular periods, trouble losing weight, infertility, and sometimes ovarian cysts mean that going to the doctor is a good idea. via MSN

What causes hirsutism?

Hirsutism can run in families. It may also be caused by:

  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This is the most common cause of hirsutism in women. It is a disorder that causes hormone problems.
  • Disorders of the pituitary gland, adrenal gland, or thyroid gland
  • Tumor on the ovary that makes extra androgens
  • Severe insulin resistance
  • Changes in hormones from menopause
  • Use of anabolic steroids or corticosteroids
  • Certain other medicines

In some cases, the cause isn’t known. This is called idiopathic hirsutism.

Excess Body Hair Treatment:

Treatment depends on personal preference. Hair growth causes no physical harm. The decision to remove or reduce hair varies from person to person.

Methods to remove or reduce unwanted hair include:

Shaving. This is a way to remove hair with thin blades moving across the skin. Hair will start growing back right away, so shaving needs to be repeated often.

Waxing. Hot or cold wax can be used to pull out hair from the root. This treatment needs to be done every 2 to 3 weeks.

Bleaching. Chemicals can lighten the color of the hair and make it less easy to see.

Electrolysis. A very thin needle is put into a hair follicle. Electricity is sent through the needle. This damages the hair follicle. This method is done over several sessions. This can reduce and remove hair for months or longer.

Laser hair removal. A special laser is pointed at the skin. The light from the laser is absorbed by color (pigment) in the hair and destroys the hair. This works best on people with dark hair and light skin. This method is done over several sessions. This can reduce and remove hair for months or longer.

Medicated cream. Skin cream with eflornithine can slow hair growth. Results show up in 6 to 8 weeks. The hair will regrow in about 8 weeks if you stop using the cream.