Most people have a fine layer of small, light hairs that cover the body. In hirsutism, these hairs become noticeably thicker, darker and coarser. This excessive growth of hair occurs most commonly on the face, however it can also occur on the neck, chest, stomach and buttocks.

Hirsutism is stiff or dark body hair, appearing on the body where women don't commonly have hair — primarily the face, chest, lower abdomen, inner thighs and back. People have widely varying opinions on what's considered excessive.

When high androgen levels cause hirsutism, other signs might develop over time, a process called virilization. Signs of virilization might include:

• Deepening voice
• Balding
• Acne
• Decreased breast size
• Increased muscle mass
• Enlargement of the clitoris

Facial hair can often occur alongside other symptoms such as:

• Oily skin
• Acne
• Deepening voice
• Receding hair line

Hirsutism may be caused by:

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) - This condition, which often begins with puberty, causes an imbalance of sex hormones. Over years, PCOS may slowly result in excess hair growth, irregular periods, obesity, infertility and sometimes multiple cysts on the ovaries.

Cushing syndrome - This occurs when your body is exposed to high levels of the hormone cortisol. It can develop from your adrenal glands making too much cortisol or from taking medications such as prednisone over a long period.

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia - This inherited condition is characterized by abnormal production of steroid hormones, including cortisol and androgen, by your adrenal glands.

Tumors - Rarely, an androgen-secreting tumor in the ovaries or adrenal glands can cause hirsutism.

Medication -. Some medications can cause hirsutism. These include minoxidil; danazol, which is used to treat women with endometriosis; testosterone; and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). If your partner uses topical products containing androgens, you can be affected as well, through skin-to-skin contact.While rare, women who are taking anabolic steroids, may notice that hair growth increases resulting in excessive facial hair.

Genetics - Some ethnic groups are more likely to have hirsutism than others. Darker, thicker hair, is often observed in women from Mediterranean regions, the middle east, and south Asia. These groups are more likely to experience hirsutism than other groups.

Post Menopause - Causes for hirsutism in post-menopausal women is unknown as sometimes androgen levels can be within range, yet a patient may still suffer from it. Some women tend to have greater facial hair growth as they get older regardless of menopause.

It’s down to each individual to decide whether or not treatment is required, as some women who experience Hirsutism may not feel the need to remove the hair. However, a lot of women can find that it has a detrimental effect on their self-image, causing stress and even depression. If you do choose to treat the excessive hair growth, then the severity of it will usually influence the treatment method.

Vaniqa (Eflornithine 11.5%) is a licensed non-hormone cream, clinically proven to effectivelyreduce excessive facial hair growth on women. Vaniqa is not a hair removal cream, it helps to slow the growth of hair, as well as making it shorter, finer, lighter and ultimately less visible. For some women it's an effective long-term solution to unwanted hair growth.

Vaniqa has been shown to produce a reduction in facial hair growth in 70% of patients in clinical trials. Vaniqa is equally as effective in all skin types and shades. Studies into the effectiveness have shown that 70% of women improve with the treatment. Vaniqa cream is applied to areas of the face where there is excessive hair growth. It acts to reduce hair growth by blocking an enzyme responsible for hair growth in the hair follicle.

Vaniqa can be used alongside other treatments such as hormone tablets or other forms of hair removal such as plucking, waxing, threading or laser hair removal. Vaniqa should be used regularly; if it is discontinued normal hair growth will resume within 8 weeks.

If you suffer with mild hirsutism, you may only require hair removal techniques with no medical intervention. All of these techniques can be effective and improve the appearance of excessive hair. The suitability of each treatment is down to each individual. These include:

Shaving

Simple and safe, shaving regularly can help you stay on top of excessive hair growth. This may mean shaving as often as once daily. If doing this, it’s important to consider good skincare products to reduce skin irritation. While this is an inexpensive and quick fix, it can also be inconvenient for many women not used to a daily shaving routine.

Waxing

Waxing is more effective for removing large patches of hair than shaving, and will also have longer-lasting effects. While shaving removes the visible hair, waxing can pull the hair up from the root, meaning it takes longer to regrow. Unfortunately, it can also be painful and can cause temporary skin irritation.

Epilation

Similar to waxing, epilation removes the hair by the roots, and so can have longer-lasting results. Unlike waxing, however, an epilator device essentially plucks away hair from the roots, as you move the device over your body. Skin exfoliation is recommended before epilation, to help prevent ingrown hairs.

Bleaching

Bleaching simply lightens the colour of your hair, meaning it is less noticeable. This can mean you have more time between shaving or waxing, before having to repeat. It’s important to use products which are approved in the UK. This can help you avoid allergic reactions or potential skin discolouration.

Others Methods

Electrolysis

Using this technique, a practitioner will insert a thin needle into the follicles of your unwanted hair. These then release small electrical charges, which destroy the roots of your hair. This can be a painful experience but can have long-lasting effects, particularly if repeated a second or third time.

Diet

Being in control of your weight can reduce the production of androgens (lessening the hair growth), while increasing intake of vitamin B and protein and reducing your intake of carbs can also improve symptoms.

Contraceptive Pill

In women who haven’t yet reached menopause, the contraceptive pill can be effective in helping manage excessive facial hair. This can help redress hormone imbalance, and result in reduced hair growth. Oral contraceptive pills such as Yasmin or Dianette (co-cyprindiol) can be prescribed for their anti-androgen effects. By blocking the effects of the male hormones they can help to treat hormone-related hirsutism. Oral contraceptives can be effective at treating excess facial hair in women however they can take up to 6 months to be effective.

Laser treatments

Laser treatment clinics are often found on the high street. Using lasers to treat excessive hair, can have longer-lasting effects than home treatment methods. Three of the four sessions may be required to achieve the best results, and maintenance treatments are also then required. There are risks associated with laser treatment, such as scarring or skin discolouration.

Frequently Asked Questions