As those who suffer from it already know, excess hair growth is not limited to men who have stopped shaving. It impacts men, women, the young and the old without discrimination and can be embarrassing and hard to get rid of. Shaving is only a short term-solution, and noticeable stubble usually returns by the end of the day. Even waxing and threading still don’t rid you of the unwanted hair for as long as you like.
If you suffer from excessive hair growth, then you might want to put down the razor and step away from the hot wax. Instead, pick up your phone and book an appointment at your local medical spa. Monica Gavin, M.D., a diplomat of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine and owner of the Azani Medical Spa in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, reviews causes of hair growth and ways to treat it. Dr. Gavin acknowledges that hair in unwanted places can really lower your self-esteem but she says don’t be passive about it. Instead, take charge of your appearance.
Causes
There are a multitude of reasons why hair is growing on your body in places you don’t prefer. You likely thought that since you’ve went through puberty, you were past this sort of thing. Unfortunately, you can still be affected. A few causes include:
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: For women with facial hair, one cause is high levels of testosterone that are typically linked with polycystic ovarian syndrome. The condition causes many small cysts in the ovaries that can impact the way a woman develops and her ability to get pregnant.
- Androgen: A hormone secreted by the ovary and adrenal glands, androgen is associated with male characteristics. Excess amounts of the hormone can make short, fine, less pigmented hair become dark, coarse and more noticeable.
- Heredity: The number of hair follicles and sweat glands you have and their location is predetermined by your genetic background.
- Steroids: The steroids found in some body-building supplements can add more androgen to the body, causing hair growth, particularly in woman.
- Birth Control Pills: Birth control pills that contain norgestrel, a progestin used in hormonal contraceptives, have been linked to excessive hair growth in women.
Laser Treatments
Within the past few years, many people have begun turning to laser hair removal systems to remove unwanted hair. As the power and precision of the lasers improves, the amount of hair that can be removed in each session and the length of time that the hair stays away has greatly increased as well.
The laser machine works by heating the hair follicles because it is attracted to the pigment or melanin in the follicle. While you may experience some pain and a little reddening of the skin during the treatment, you can return to your daily activities almost immediately afterward. Dr. Gavin best describes the procedure as feeling as though rubber bands are being repeatedly snapped at your skin.
A number of factors determine how much hair can be removed during each session. For some, the elimination of unwanted hair can take up to six sessions, with intervals of up to a few months between each session. Your gender, race and the color of your hair in varying combinations can make it a bit more difficult to achieve lasting results. Typically though you will see an 80% decrease in the amount of hair and you will only need to receive laser hair treatments roughly every six months for maintenance.
While a lot women visit Dr. Gavin’s office to have hair removed from their faces, legs and underarms, a number of men have been treated using lasers as well. The men who visit Dr. Gavin’s office request most often to have their back hair removed because it covers such a large portion of their body and it is not easily accessible to them, even if they prefer to use at home treatments for other “manscaping” needs.
A number of transgender patients also come into the Azani Medical Spa to use laser treatments as another way to complete their transformation to the opposite sex when hormone supplements are not enough to stop hair growth, especially on the face.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
