Excessive hair growth: Starting your excessive hair removal journey

Choosing to remove excess hair can be due to several reasons including cultural, aesthetic, and hygienic. However, sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you seem to still have an excess of unwanted hair growth that is hard to tackle.

In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about excessive hair growth, including:

• The two types of excessive hair growth.
• Common causes of excessive hair growth in women.
• When to talk to your doctor about excess hair growth in women.
• A 4-step guide for how to deal with excessive body hair. 
• 7 methods for excessive hair removal.

When it comes to excessive hair growth, also known as hypertrichosis or hirsutism, hair removal is often the go-to before even investigating the cause. So, read on to discover our guide to excessive hair removal.

The two types of excessive hair growth

Before exploring the causes and tips for the removal of excessive hair growth in women, let’s explore the two different types of excessive hair growth:

1. Hirsutism¹
   Hirsutism is the growth of excess hair on a woman, usually characterised by dark hairs on the face and neck. This condition affects between 4-11% of women.² 
   
   
2. Hypertrichosis³
   Hypertrichosis is the growth of excess hair over and above the normal amount in both men and women. This can be anywhere on the body, including the face, neck, chest, tummy, lower back, buttocks, or thighs.
   

Common causes of excessive hair growth in women

Now that you’re aware of the different types, let’s explore six common causes of excessive hair growth: 

1. PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome).
2. Medications.
3. Anabolic steroids.
4. Hormonal conditions such as Cushing's syndrome and acromegaly.
5. Biological changes during puberty and menopause resulting in hormone imbalance.
6. A tumour which affects hormone levels.

Remember, we’re not medical experts, so if you have concerns about excessive hair growth and you’re not sure how to tackle it, consulting a healthcare professional is the best course of action. 

When to talk to your doctor about excess hair growth in women

Worried about excess hair growth? It may be time to speak to your doctor about excessive hair growth if:

• The hair growth is sudden or uncontrollable.
• You have noticed other symptoms, such as missed or irregular periods and weight gain.
• You have other skin-related issues, such as very dry or very oily skin.
• There are changes to your voice.

To determine the cause of excess hair growth in women, the doctor will often request a blood test to check your hormone levels. Once they have verified the cause, they may offer advice on how to deal with excessive body hair. 

A 4-step guide for how to deal with excessive body hair 

If you have visited your doctor about conditions such as PCOS and excess hair growth, they may advise one or more of the following to help control excess hair growth in women:

1. Weight loss. Losing weight can help correct hormone imbalances and reduce unwanted hair growth caused by being overweight.
   
   
2. Eflornithine cream. A prescription cream can be offered to treat excess facial hair in women.
   
   
3. Contraceptive pill. It can be helpful for women who have not yet reached menopause to take the pill to control their hormone levels.
   
   
4. Hirsutism hair removal. Hair removal may also be recommended to treat the cause of excess hair growth.