Ethnic, genetic and hormonal variations in hair growth can sometimes be cosmetically bothersome or embarrassing to women. While many women may have more prominent hair on their upper lip, cheeks, chin or neck, most do not have a true medical or hormonal problem. This is just a normal variation. Many treatments exist including bleaching, waxing, electrolysis, threading, tweezing or laser hair removal.

Hirsutism is excessive hairiness most commonly found on women in those parts of the body where men normally grow hair – for example, beard or chest and back hair. It refers to a male pattern of body hair (androgenic hair) and it is therefore primarily of cosmetic and psychological concern. Hirsutism is a medical sign rather than a disease and may be a sign of a more serious medical condition, especially if it develops well after puberty. This type of hair growth does deserve medical attention to rule out any underlying medical problems.

Hypertrichosis refers to excessive hair all over the body and is caused by a variety of medical conditions and medications. This type of hair growth deserves medical attention to find the underlying medical problem.

Contact Dr. Heather Roberts for further information.