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Causes behind the growth of unwanted hair


Laser has proven to be the most effective solution
to unwanted hair, says Kaya Skin Clinic expert


For many women, dealing with unwanted hair is a daily struggle. Body hair is directly related to femininity; especially that it is not typical for a woman to have excessive hair in places such as the face and arms.

What not everyone knows, it that hair is found on the face and all over the body in females in two different forms. On the face, chest there is fine and soft hair called vellus hair. However, hair that is thick and coarse in areas like underarms and scalp and is called terminal hair. In men, there are mostly terminal hairs on the face and all over the body.

Excessive hair growth is diagnosed as either hypertrichosis or hirsuitism. Hypertrichosis is usually a genetic problem and commonly seen in some communities. But hirsuitism is characterizes with Growth of excessive, coarse, long, beard like hair on the face and body in women, and is associated with hormone disturbances.

Dr Marian, Dermatologist, at Kaya Skin Clinic, said that the soft, vellus hair gets converted into coarse terminal hair in some women, and remain that way due to the presence of androgens. Androgens are male hormones produced in the ovaries and the adrenals. Disorders of either the ovaries or the adrenals can lead to disturbance in androgen production. The common causes of increased androgen production are:

1. Polycystic ovarian disease/syndrome (PCOD, PCOS)
It is a very common cause of hirsuitism. The ovaries develop multiple, small cysts which produce male hormones. It is associated with irregular periods, irregular ovulation, weight gain, acne, and increased hair growth on the face and body. It tends to run in families and is associated with an insulin imbalance

2. Ovarian tumors
Androgen producing tumors in the ovaries lead to hirsuitism, even change in body structure and voice in females

3. Adrenal tumors
Women suffering from hormonal imbalance have great emotional and psychological disturbances. This is due to the presence of unwanted facial and body hair, weight gain, acne, infertility, loss of hair on the scalp. Since this disorder affects young women, it affects the self esteem of college, school going girls and young married women. One needs to remove hair by threading, shaving very often. And this can be quite embarrassing and tedious.

“Laser Hair Reduction has become a blessing for women having hirsuitism and hypertrichosis. Laser is a permanent method of hair reduction. It works by reducing the size of the hair follicle permanently, thus reducing the hair growth. It needs several sittings,” said Dr Marian.

Before starting opting for laser hair reduction, it is very important to consult a dermatologist, who will check the hair type, skin type. Once hirsuitism is diagnosed, certain blood tests, ultrasound needs to be done to ascertain the cause of increased hair growth and other symptoms like acne, obesity etc.

Then treatment has to be started by an endocrinologist or a gynecologist and it has to be taken for a period of time as recommended by the doctor concerned. Along with the treatment, one can start the laser hair removal. “If treatment is not given simultaneously, the hair reduction will not be satisfactory. For good results seven to eight sessions are required, however maintenance sessions every four to six months are also necessary,” added Dr Marian.

After proper medication, and hair reduction with the help of the laser, there is a remarkable change in the appearance of the hair on the face and body. It makes the lady much happier, confident, and improved self esteem. She is not embarrassed any more!