Hirsutism is where women have thick, dark hair on their face, neck, chest, tummy, lower back, buttocks or thighs. See a GP if it's a problem for you. It might be caused by a medical condition that can be treated. Hirsutism is linked to hormones called androgens. It can happen if the level of these hormones increases or if your body becomes more sensitive
to them. The most common cause is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This is a condition affecting the ovaries that can also cause symptoms such as acne and irregular periods. Sometimes there's no obvious cause. Rarely, hirsutism can be caused by: Information: If you have lighter, finer hair on your face or body, it's probably not hirsutism. Most women get more of this type of hair as they get older, particularly after the menopause. Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:
The GP will check what's causing the hair growth. You may have a blood test to measure your hormone levels. A change in your hormone levels is a common cause of hirsutism. Treatments for hirsutismIf you have hirsutism, your GP may suggest:
If these have not helped after 6 months, your GP may refer you to a specialist. They may recommend other medicines to control your hormone levels. Longer-lasting hair removalThere are treatments that can get rid of unwanted hair for longer than the things you can do at home. But they're not usually permanent. They're also not usually available on the NHS and can be expensive. The 2 main treatments are:
Make sure you research these treatments before trying them. They both have risks and the results are not the same for everyone. Page last reviewed: 15 March 2022 Accelerated hair growth can be a blessing or a curse depending on where the hair is growing. Most of us long for rapid hair growth on our heads but dread it on almost all other areas of the body. If you’re someone who deals with fast hair growth, you need answers. Why does it grow so fast? And what can you do about it? In this article, we will answer these questions and more! Table of Contents
To understand how to deal with accelerated hair growth, you’ll need to know its root causes. In this section, we will explain several reasons why your hair grows so fast on your scalp and body. HormonesHormones are the control center for hair growth in both men and women. The main hormones responsible for hair growth are testosterone and DHEA. These hormones are characterized as male hormones or androgens because they are found in higher concentrations in men. Yet androgens are still present in the female body. Moreover, the higher your androgen levels, the faster your hair will grow. It’ll grow lightning fast on the armpits, arms, legs, face, chest, and other areas. This explains why men typically have more body hair than women. Hormonal conditions like Hirsutism can also cause abnormal hair growth. This condition affects women and causes excessive hair growth on the face, chest, and back in male-like patterns. Though this condition is mainly caused by heightened levels of androgens such as testosterone, it can also be caused by other serious illnesses. PregnancyPregnancy is the time in which most women’s hair is lustrous, thick, and thriving all around. During pregnancy, the female hormone estrogen skyrockets, extending the duration of the hair growth process. As a result, hair grows thicker and sheds less for maximum length retention. Plus, some women notice that their hair is shinier and more voluminous than usual. Unfortunately, women may experience decreased hair growth or even hair loss when estrogen returns to its normal levels after birth. Women also encounter elevated levels of androgens during pregnancy, which tends to increase the rate of hair growth on the armpits, stomach, back, and chest. Although this sudden increase in hair growth can be shocking, it is normal and merely a cosmetic annoyance. EthnicityA study on the diversity of human hair growth proved that healthy hair growth rates vary between ethnicities. The results of the study concluded that people of African origins typically have the thinnest hair and the slowest hair growth rates. Those of Asian origin were found to have the thickest hair and the fastest hair growth rate among all ethnicities studied. People of European origin generally landed in the middle range. Hair ThicknessA study on thousands of hairs of various textures found that thicker strands grow fastest. And though many people believe their hair is thick, they often confuse thickness with density. Hair thickness is simply the width of a single hair strand, while density refers to the number of strands you have on your head—the more strands you have on your head, the higher your hair’s density. If you have rapidly growing hair, you can determine if it is due to your hair thickness by completing a simple test. Pinch a single strand of hair between your thumb and index finger and gently roll it back and forth. If the strand feels similar to the thickness of sewing thread, then you likely have thick hair. You probably don’t have thick hair if you feel nothing while the hair is between your fingers. AgeIf your hair is growing quicker than you can keep up with, you are more than likely young. Research shows that people under the age of 25 experience the fastest hair growth rates. Other research shows that average hair growth rates peak during childhood, remain steady throughout adulthood, and quickly decline in old age. DietThe quality of your diet can influence your hair growth rate. Vitamins and minerals such as niacin, biotin, iron, zinc, and vitamin C encourage steady hair growth. Furthermore, certain foods, including eggs, fish, avocados, spinach, beans, and seeds, are packed with the vitamins and minerals necessary to maintain a consistent hair growth rate. How To Cope With Fast Hair GrowthIf you’ve been battling lightning-fast hair growth in unwanted areas, there are ways to cope. Use the tips below to choose the best coping methods for your unique situation. HaircutIf your mane is growing out of control, grab your shears and get to chopping! The best way to maintain healthy hair while controlling hair growth is to trim your ends. You can cut off as much or as little as you’d like. Plus, you have the freedom to cut your hair into a brand new style. But if you’re hesitant about picking up the scissors, start by trimming off just 1 to 2 inches every few weeks or months. Experiment with Different StylesIf a particular haircut is not an option for you, there are endless styles you can try to lift the burden of excess length. Style such as buns, ponytails, and braids are great options to keep longer hair contained and out of the way. Curly and wavy styles, including twist-outs, braid-outs, and roller sets, will also temporarily reduce your hair’s length because they cause strands to draw up. Wear Scarves and HatsScarves and hats are fashionable accessories that can protect your hair and keep it out of your face. Moreover, silk scarves and satin-lined hats offer extra protection against breakage and split ends. Shaving and WaxingTo control body hair growth, you can shave or wax hair more frequently. Thousands of razors on the market are designed to instantly remove hair on the armpits, arms, legs, chest, and back. Razors are best used in combination with moisturizing creams or foams to prevent irritation to the skin. In addition, depending on your body hair’s thickness and growth rate, you may need to shave once
or twice every two weeks to maintain a clean look. Waxing is a wildly popular hair removal solution for keeping hair away for extended periods. You can buy pre-made wax kits or make your own wax at home using natural ingredients such as sugar, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar. Keep in mind that if you wax your hair repeatedly, you may notice that the hair will grow back thinner and sparser than it did initially. A good rule of thumb is to wax the hair from unwanted areas every three weeks or so. But be sure not to do it too often, as doing so can lead to unnecessary skin irritation. Laser Hair RemovalLaser hair removal is arguably one of the most permanent solutions for unwanted hair. This method zaps hairs at the roots, preventing them from regrowing for years. This procedure uses a laser that is absorbed by the hair’s pigment. The light is then converted to heat to destroy the hair follicles. It gradually slows the hair growth cycle until it stops completely. Unlike shaving and waxing, this procedure is a
bit pricey and can take several sessions to get lasting results. Related Articles
To sum things up, hair growth rates are not the same for everyone. And the causes of rapid hair growth are largely out of our control. But you can cope with fast-growing hair using one or more of the tips outlined in this article. We hope this article has educated you on the science behind accelerated hair growth and encourages you to take action to combat it if desired. Kenneth Byrd holds a BS in Accounting and Management Information Systems and an MBA from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He is a serial hair blogger that has been writing about hair care since 2008, when he co-founded Curl Centric and Natural Hair Box. Curl Centric is a website operated by a husband and wife team that encourages healthy hair care. Why is my leg hair growing so fast all of a sudden female?A sudden increase in hair growth or loss in women is often caused by an imbalance of male hormones (androgens) which are naturally present in both men and women in differing amounts. If you get a boost in testosterone, for example, excess hair can be the result.
Why are my legs so hairy all of a sudden?You have a hormone imbalance
This means you can get hair where you don't want it, like your face, belly, thighs, or butt. According to Mount Sinai Medical Center, about half of cases are caused by high levels of male sex hormones or “androgens,” like testosterone.
Why is my leg hair growing back faster?The top factors that might influence how sensitive your legs are to hair regrowth include your diet, the temperature settings in your bathroom, the quality of your skin, your brand of razor, the freshness or newness of your blade, and more.
What causes fast body hair growth?Hirsutism is excess hair growth on the body or face. It's caused by excess hormones called androgens. For women, the hair may grow in places where men often have a lot of hair, but women often don't.
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