YOU DON’T HAVE TO LIVE WITH UNWANTED HAIR

EXCESSIVE hair growth in women is known as hirsutism.

It can be caused by high levels of the male hormone testosterone due to conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, where small cysts form on the ovaries. As well as hirsutism, this can lead to infertility and weight gain.

However, in 95 per cent of cases, blood tests for testosterone will come back normal, says Dr Daron Seukeran, a consultant dermatologist at the private Sk:n Clinic in Harley Street.

‘Most of these women just have increased sensitivity to testosterone hormones, not high levels of testosterone. In exceptionally rare cases, rapid hair growth over a couple of months can be due to an underlying tumour producing testosterone,’ he says.

‘Women are most bothered by facial hair growth and some will have it so badly they will have a five o’clock shadow and could grow a beard.

‘By the time they get to see a dermatologist, they have tried plucking, and waxing and have either found it’s too timeconsuming, causing skin irritation, or it just grows back too quickly.’

But it’s not just women who are seeking

help for excess body hair, he adds. Men are increasinglyabout shaved chestor waxed before, but now they want\and back hair. ‘They may have bothered, too — particularly treatments that last for longer.

‘Some women are very reluctant to start shaving facial hair as they wrongly believe it will increase h doesn’t. It’s just that all the hair regrows at the same timem, so it’s more noticeable.’

The prescription cream Eflornithine can be prescribed for facial hirsutism in women. It works by inhibiting an enzyme involved in hair growth. It slows down hair growth, but does not remove existing hair and can

be prescribed by a GP. The oral contraceptive pill may also reduce hairiness by balancing hormones.

One of the newer treatments is laser hair removal: hair pigment absorbs the light energy which then destroys the hair follicle. ‘ The effects can last far longer than other treatments,’ says Dr Seukeran.

‘Facial hair can be treated with six to eight 15-minute sessions.’

It costs around £600 (less if it’s a small area like the upper lip). The treatment is not available on the NHS.