Excessive Facial Hair (Hirsutism) - What To Do?

Women can find unwanted hair growth very embarrassing. This is especially true if she sports hair growth on her face. Excessive hair growth on a woman is also known as hirsutism. This differs from the usual fine 'peach fuzz' that covers the rest of the body. Such hair can be characterized as dark and coarse.

Hirsutism has a number of causes. Some of the most common reasons for this condition are:

- Genes

Hirsutism often runs in families. Thus if your mother or grandmother suffered from this skin condition, chances are that you may suffer from the same. This is most commonly seen in people from the Mediterranean region and south East Asia.

- Hormones

Hirsutism is also linked to an abnormally high level of male hormones like androgens in the body. This is usually seen in cases where women suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome, Cushings syndrome or tumors in the adrenal gland.

- Medication

A shift in hormone levels is also a common side effect of many types of medication. This is typically seen in drugs that include hormones such as anabolic steroids, drugs that spur hair growth and drugs that help with endometriosis. 

Facial hirsutism can be treated in a number of ways. Some of the ways to remove excess hair are:

- Shaving

This is an easy and quick way to remove unwanted skin. however, it may irritate the skin and with every shave, the hair growth may get coarser.

- Bleaching

This is a temporary solution for Hirsutism but may irritate the skin and does not suit dark skinned women.

- Waxing

When done regularly, waxing can reduce the amount of hair growth. However, this is a painful technique and can cause skin inflammation.

- Laser hair treatment

Compared to the above forms of hair removal, laser treatment can remove hair for the longest period of time. However, this is not a permanent solution and can have side effects like the lightening or darkening of skin.

- Electrolysis

This is permanent solution to hirsutism. It can require several sittings and may also lead to scarring or changes in skin colour.

- Medication

Prescription drugs can also change the way hair grows on the body. However, if you stop using this medication the hair growth with go back to its original form. Birth control pills and anti androgen blockers are the most common form of prescription drugs used to treat hirsutism.