Facial Hair – Excessive and Unwanted Hair in Women

The excessive or unwanted growth of hair on the body and the face of the woman is called hirsutism. All women have hair on the face and body, usually very thin and light colored.

The main difference between normal hairs, namely hair, and hirsutism is consistency. Often unwanted or excess hair on the face, arms or chest of the woman is large and dark and grows similar to male hair.

The presence of excess hair on the body can be embarrassing, but it is not dangerous. However, the hormonal imbalance that causes hirsutism can affect women’s health.

Why do women develop excessive hairs?

Women develop excess hair on the body or face due to higher male hormone levels than normal, namely testosterone. All women produce androgens, which are usually kept low. Some disorders may result in excessive production of androgens, with the development of typically male hair and other virile unwanted features such as lowering the tone of the voice.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a common cause of hirsutism. Benign cysts forming in ovaries can affect hormone production, causing irregular menstrual cycles and reducing fertility. Women with PCOS often experience moderate or severe acne, tend to be overweight, and may be at risk for diabetes, according to National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Excessive hair growth can be caused by other hormonal imbalances, such as the following adrenal gland disorders:

• Malignant tumor of adrenal glands;
• Benign tumor of adrenal glands;
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia;
• Cushing’s disease.

Excess hair on the body or face may be due to the intake of one of the following medications:

• Minoxidil
• Anabolic steroids
• Testosterone

Diagnosis

To diagnose hirsutism, the physician will conduct a thorough medical examination of the patient, who will need to tell him what drugs she consumes to help determine the cause of the disorder. Your doctor may prescribe blood tests to measure hormonal levels.

Ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging of the ovaries and adrenal glands can be performed to verify the presence of tumors or cysts.

What are the possible treatments?

If excessive hair growth is the symptom of adrenal glands or PCOS disorders, pharmacological treatment may be necessary, which, in the form of antiandrogens and contraceptive pills, helps to restore hormonal balance. The contraceptive pill may also reduce the size of ovarian cysts. These drugs are usually taken as a long-term solution for hirsutism; generally, improvements are noticed three to six months after the onset of therapy.

Your doctor may prescribe a cream containing eflornithine to reduce hair growth on the face, which should slow down within one to two months.

Hair removal- Is it the working option?

Depilation techniques are used for the non-medical treatment of unwanted or excess hair. These are the same methods that many women resort to rub their legs, groin, and armpits. In the case of hirsutism, it may be necessary to intensify cherries, shavings and use depilatory products (chemical foams).

Even with laser hair removal and electrolysis, you can permanently eliminate unwanted large hairs. Laser hair removal involves the use of a concentrated light source to damage the hair follicles, which, in this way, become inactive while the existing hair falls. Electrolysis uses the electric current to remove the hair. Both methods can be expensive and require different sessions to achieve the desired results.