Excessive Hair Growth

What is excessive hair growth?

Dark, coarse body hair growing in places it does not usually grow is called excessive hair growth, or hirsutism. It can occur in both men and women, but the growth of hair on the face, chest, abdomen, and back is usually more of a problem for women than for men. Too much facial hair is the most troublesome to women.

What is the cause?

Having a lot of body hair is more common for some races, ethnic backgrounds, and families. The cause of excessive hair growth varies. Common causes include:

• genetics
• hormone problems, such as too hormone from the adrenal gland
• polycystic ovary syndrome
• some medicines, such as hormones or steroids

Some less common causes are:

• menopause
• puberty
• pregnancy
• ovarian tumor or cancer

How is it treated?

The treatment of excessive hair growth depends on the cause. If it is caused by a medical problem, treatment of the problem may help stop the growth of extra hair. If the excessive hair growth is due to a life-cycle change, such as menopause, or by medicine you have been taking, such as birth control pills, a change in medicines you are taking may help.

Extra hair growth caused by pregnancy hormones usually stops and mostly goes away within 6 months after delivery.

If excessive hair growth is a racial, ethnic, or family trait, you may want to consider seeing a hair-removal professional or use home methods to remove unwanted hair.

Professional hair removal methods include:

• hot wax treatments (which have just a temporary effect)
• procedures, such as electrolysis and laser hair removal, that remove hair permanently

All professional procedures should be performed by a licensed professional, such as a licensed cosmetologist, esthetician, or electrologist. These professionals may be found in cosmetic surgery or skin care clinics or full-service beauty salons, or they may have their own private practice.

Women can control excess hair growth at home by tweezing, shaving, or using special hair-removal products, such as depilatory creams.

• You can use tweezers for removing a few hairs, such as around the eyebrows. Shaving works well on legs and underarms.
• Creams that remove hair work almost anywhere, but they may irritate your skin and should not be used around the eyes.

You can also hide hair with bleaching. Bleaching works well on the arms, thighs, and just below the nose.

Complications can result from any hair removal procedure. Waxing can cause heat burns. Bleaching can cause chemical burns. Carefully follow the directions on the labels of hair removal products. You should try the product first on a small patch of skin before using it on a large area. Ask about the risks involved with any professional hair removal procedure.