QuestionI am 36 years old and obese,though I'm working on my weight problem.Since I've turned 30,I have had hairs to grow on my chin.And on my shoulders.Even though I pull those chin hairs out,they grow back in 2 weeks.My mother says she's never had that problem.It,s not a lot of hair, but enough to be noticable and it's annoying.I'm not on any kind of medication,I'm healthy and i have regular menstrual cycles.What could be causing this?Does it have any thing to do with my obesity?Thanks.
AnswerHI Elizabeth
Yes if you are overweight this is probably the cause of the excessive hair. Let me know if you need some tips on dieting because I have lost over 80 pounds.
Excessive facial hair is also known as Hirsutism. This is a condition in which there is excessive growth of hair on the face or body. Although hirsutism can occur in both men and women, it is usually only a problem for women. Women with hirsutism have dark, thick hair on their face, chest, abdomen and back. This thick, dark hair is different from the hair that some women have on their upper lip, chin, breasts, stomach or the fine "baby" hair all over their body.
Hirsutism can be caused by hair follicles that are overly sensitive to male hormones (called androgens) or it can be caused by abnormally high levels of these hormones. A very high level of male hormones may also be caused by tumors.
Some medicines can cause excessive hair growth. These medicines include birth control pills, hormones and anabolic steroids. Hirsutism seems to run in families. The family doctor may want to do some tests to find out what is causing the hirsutism.
Lose weight if overweight Losing weight reduces the amount of hormones in body that cause increased hair growth. Below are some physical ways to eliminate excess facial and body hair
Shaving is the safest and easiest method of removing hair. However, you will have stubble unless you shave every day. Your skin may become irritated with frequent shaving. If your skin becomes irritated, apply a small amount of 1% hydrocortisone cream.
Depilatories, or creams that remove hair, can also be used. They leave no stubble. However, these creams may irritate your skin. To test how sensitive your skin is, apply a small amount of cream on the inside of a wrist. Wait for one day before applying the cream to other parts of your body. If you don't have a reaction to the cream, it's probably okay to use that cream.
Bleaching paste may also be used. Apply the paste to your skin and let it remain for 15 to 30 minutes. Bleaching products can also irritate your skin.
Electrolysis gets rid of hair permanently by delivering a small electrical current through a needle placed into the hair follicle. Electrolysis is expensive and time consuming. If you choose to have electrolysis, make sure the operator is qualified and licensed. Home electrolysis products and electronic tweezers don't work well and are not recommended.
Plucking and waxing can cause skin irritation and make the hair grow faster by increasing the blood supply to the follicle. These methods aren't recommended.
Let me know if you need added information.
Take Care
Jackie
