Everybody has facial hair. For most women and some men, it tends to be very short, lighter, and less coarse. This gives the appearance of a flawless, hairless face. Additionally, most people will notice an occasional strand or two of hair on their faces and get rid of it almost immediately. However, some women can develop coarse facial hair similar to men. This condition is known as hirsutism which affects many women in today’s society both physically and psychologically. It can appear as sparse strands of hair on a certain area such as the chin or upper lip and in extreme cases, it can be a full-blown beard.
Causes
- polycystic ovarian syndrome
Developing facial hair in women has been commonly linked to polycystic ovary syndrome. It’s a result of hormonal imbalance causing a spike in the male hormone, androgen, which affects the way the ovaries work. This leads to several reactions such as hyperpigmentation, irregular periods, infertility, and facial hair. If you have a combination of any of these symptoms, it’s advisable to seek medical help as you might be suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome. Women are likely to have more hormonal imbalance as they get older which is why as women get older they may start getting more facial hair.
- Family Genes
Our genes play a crucial role in our physical appearance. In some cases, facial hair in women runs in the family. Therefore, most women in that family have a stubborn strand or patch of hair on their faces. This is inevitable and if you happen to be one of the women in the family with facial hair, there’s no cause for alarm. The good news is that this is simply a genetic issue and not a medical issue.
- Medicine
Some medicines are high in steroids which can cause the growth of facial hair in women. Steroids are used to treat inflammatory diseases such as asthma and eczema. When taken in high doses, it reduces the redness and swelling that causes inflammation. However, this can also result in higher testosterone levels in women which can cause the development of this problem. Unfortunately, this isn’t preventable and can only be treated through various treatments.
Treatment
- Lifestyle Change
For women who suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome, it’s necessary to maintain a moderate weight. Being overweight causes a resistance to insulin which is one of the possible causes of PCOS. Additionally, eating a healthy diet can help reduce the symptoms of the disease such as facial hair. A low-carb diet with nutritious fat and protein sources is essential in controlling hormonal imbalance.
- Beauty Treatments
For most women, beauty treatments such as tweezing, threading, laser hair removal, waxing and shaving are enough to get rid of their facial hair. This depends on the severity of the problem. For instance, you can easily remove a single strand using tweezers while threading is a better method for removing a small patch. However, if you have stubborn stubble, it’s recommended to go for laser hair removal as it’s more effective and permanent.
Different Ways You Can Get Rid Of Unwanted Hair
- Supplements
You might likely be deficient in some minerals and vitamins hence the sudden appearance of facial hair. To counter the excess androgen and testosterone production in the body, you can take prescribed supplements that are rich in Omega-3, Potassium, Magnesium, Vitamin E, Probiotics, and Vitamin D.
- Herbs
If you’re looking for natural solutions for facial hair, you can add certain herbs to your diet. Herbs such as a chaste tree, black cohosh, palmetto, Peppermint tea and spearmint tea contain anti-androgen properties that help prevent hormonal imbalance in the blood. Additionally, some well-known herbs that treat PCOS include cinnamon and green tea. Read more here Teas That Stop Facial Hair Growth
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