Body and Facial Hair – What is Normal?
Excess body and facial hair
The hair growth process on face and body normally start with the onset of puberty. In addition to various other physical changes, both boys and girls experience pubic hair growth. The boys can also experience the growth of moustaches and facial hair whilst girls may experience thin hair on their face and unwanted hair in armpits. While most men opt for shaving, girls can use various methods for removing their unwanted facial hair and other body hair.
The excess unwanted body hair can be annoying for both men and women. These unwanted hairs are often found embarrassing by people who may always try to hide them from other. Most women avoid wearing bikinis due to the excess body hair.
What is hirsutism and hypertrichosis?
Before defining hirsutism, let’s try to describe the terminal hair. The terminal hair is a large, pigmented and mature hair that grows around eyebrows, eyelashes and scalp. Hair in armpits and pubic area may change to terminal hair under the influence of hormones such as testosterone.
The increased growth of terminal hair in body areas is known as hirsutism or hypertrichosis. These hairs are caused due to genetic factors or biochemical imbalances in the body such as insulin resistance.
What are the causes of hirsutism?
Due to the hormonal changes in their body, most women experience the growth of terminal hair. This process of hirsutism is more common than you think. It’s found in the majority of women worldwide.
Genetic causes: The majority of cases of hirsutism are genetic in nature. Our familial heritage can be an under lying cause of our hair problem. Another cause is rare but common, and relates to our origin to our hairy ancestors in the evolutionary period.
Drugs: Increased growth of unwanted hair can also occur due to the side effects or overuse of some drugs. Some of the drugs that can affect the levels of androgens are Minoxidil, cyclosporine, insulin and birth control pills among other drugs.
Women can experience the growth of terminal hair or hirsutism in the form of pubic hair, under arm hair, under lip hair, sideburns, arms, legs and buttocks.
Medical tests for increased body hair
There are medical tests that can measure the growth of unwanted hair. One of the medical tests is known as testosterone test that measures the number of free testosterones. These hormones can mingle with tissues because they aren’t attached to the protein. Likewise, other medical tests can also be conducted in the laboratory to know the exact cause of increased hair on your body.
How much hair is normal?
It’s common for men to have some hair on their body areas such as chest, legs, abdomen and navel, in addition to facial and pubic hair. These hairs may not be as annoying for men as compared to women, who often feel embarrassed due to unwanted body hair. Most women have unwanted hair on body areas such as lower legs, upper thighs, between navel and pubic region, upper lip, chin and around nipples. Some women may also experience unwanted hair growth around chest, abdomen, neck, cheeks and lower back.
No women would like to have these unwanted body hair, even if they are small or transparent. It’s probably one of the reasons the majority of women use hair removal methods at least once or twice a month. Nowadays, with the medical and technological advancement, many new devices and creams are easily available on the market for hair removal.
If you are suffering from increased body hair problem, which often causes embarrassment, then you can also seek medical help. The medical doctor after conducting various medical tests can recommend the right treatment.
