Hirsutism: Why Do Women Get Facial Hair?

There are a number of reasons why some women develop facial hair.

It can be due to a number of internal factors within the body. Most people believe that it is simply just a hormone issue but there are other issues that may cause this to happen. For some women the growth of unwanted hair can start during puberty for others it may happen when they reach their late 20s or 30s. It can cause some women to become very self-conscious about their appearance.

It’s important to know that there may not be straightforward reasons why some women develop facial hair. It may be a combination of factors so that is why it is so hard to pinpoint an exact cause but we do know the following things can contribute to some women developing it.

There are a number of ways to remove facial hair, but laser facial hair removal is, without doubt, the most effective. Laser will only work on hairs that are dark in colour. Blond, red, white, and grey hairs will not respond. Facial hair that is thick and coarse in texture will respond quickly. While finer hairs will take longer due to the lack of pigment in these hairs.

A course of 6-10+ laser hair removal treatments is needed initially to achieve the results you want.

Top-ups are then required after this to maintain results on the facial area. 2-3 top-ups may be needed a year depending on your circumstances. In general, women who have underlying medical or hormonal issues may need more sessions to see results. They may need slightly more top-ups throughout the year. However, results are noticeable after one session.

Traditional methods of hair removal can lead to breakouts on the skin continually. Because these have to be done so frequently they can affect the skin. After laser treatment, hairs will reduce for much longer periods of time. Skin also becomes less irritated over time and ingrown hairs disappear.

Main reasons why some women develop facial hair

Hereditary

Chances are if facial hair runs in your family you may genetically inherit it. That doesn’t mean you have to live with it, it is treatable.

Hormonal

All women produce the male hormone testosterone, although in much smaller amounts than men. The amount of testosterone in women’s body is only one element that can cause women to develop facial hair. Excess facial hair growth also depends on the hair follicles’ androgen sensitivity, insulin sensitivity and the balance of testosterone and other hormones like estrogen and progesterone in a woman’s body.

Aging

Women who are pre menopausal or menopausal are prone to an increase in the growth of hair. This is because of the hormonal changes that are going on within their bodies. If there is a disruption in the balance between estrogen, testosterone and progesterone this can cause hair to grow.

Insulin Resistance

This can be a factor that contributes to excess hair growth in unwanted areas, and can be a result of having type 2 diabetes. Insulin is one of the body’s most important hormones and is used by the body to control blood sugar levels. If you have become insulin resistant the body is unable to process sugars properly and breakdown food in the right way. This has a major impact on hormone levels within the body and the natural balance is disturbed causing hair to grow.

PCOS

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a condition where the ovaries produce lots of follicles each month without producing an egg. Sometimes women with this condition will also have an insulin resistance issue so are more likely to develop facial hair. Although we are unable to cure this condition a certain amount of dietary changes can help control insulin levels and decrease the amount of hair that is produced. Women with PCOS will typically need more maintenance sessions throughout the year because of the fluctuations in hormone levels in their bodies.

Hypothroidism

Is a condition where your thyroid gland is not working properly and is not producing enough of the essential hormones that the body needs. This condition could cause hair to grow on the face and body because the body’s natural hormone balance is disturbed.

Adrenal gland imbalance can cause facial hair to grow

Adrenal glands

The adrenal gland produces substances like adrenaline and cortisone these hormones are used to balance the bodies electrolytes, if the body’s natural balance is disturbed fluctuations can cause facial hair to grow.

Contraceptive pill

Women who come off birth control pills may experience a number of different side effects, developing facial hair being one of them, again this is due to the fluctuations in hormone levels.

These are just some of the reasons why women may develop facial hair, it is a very common issue that some women face on a daily basis but there are ways to remove it if you feel self conscious about it.

How can you get rid of facial hair?

One of the most common questions we get asked is “How can I get rid of hair on my face?”. There are a number of options available to remove facial hair, the most effective form of treatment that gives lasting results is laser hair removal.

Although laser hair removal is very effective at reducing the amount of facial hair it is not a miracle cure, if there is an underlying medical or hormonal issue such as those outlined above, top-up or maintenance treatments may be required on an ongoing basis to maintain the level of reduction in excessive hair growth that you receive. These maintenance treatments normally take place every few months but this is also dependent on the individual and their hair growth.

With laser we are only able to treat the hair from outside the skin’s surface, internal factors may be causing hair to grow so we do have certain limitations in some cases. For many people laser treatment is a life changing process that restores self confidence especially when a noticeable reduction is seen from just the first few sessions of treatment. If you have any specific questions regarding facial hair contact us, please don’t be embarrassed in anyway we’re here to help with this issue.

Reasons why some women develop facial hair