Minoxidil, a vasodilator medication known for its ability to slow or stop hair loss and promote hair regrowth, was first introduced, exclusively as an oral drug, to treat high blood pressure.
Hirsutism does not occur in all cases with patients on the drug. It does occur in a fairly significant number. But we cannot predict which patients will have hair growth, or where the hair will grow. "For patients who take the drug orally for high blood pressure, in a pill, the hair might appear anywhere on the body.
Some medications can cause hirsutism, including anabolic steroids, testosterone, cyclosporine (Sandimmune®), minoxidil (Rogaine®), danazol (Danocrine®) and phenytoin (Dilantin®).
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.
“The speed at which hair grows is determined by genetics but there are other factors that can affect the growth rate. Age, diet, stress, hormonal fluctuations, scalp health, hair care practices, medications and other health conditions can potentially influence hair growth,” said master hair colorist, Stephanie Brown.
Hirsutism (HUR-soot-iz-um) is a condition in women that results in excessive growth of dark or coarse hair in a male-like pattern — face, chest and back. With hirsutism, extra hair growth often arises from excess male hormones (androgens), primarily testosterone.
For women, the hair may grow in areas where men often have a lot of hair, but women often don't. This includes the upper lip, chin, chest, and back. It's caused by an excess of male hormones called androgens. All women naturally produce small amounts of androgens.
Hair loss is a relatively rare side effect, but a variety of medications may cause it: beta-blockers, blood thinners, antidepressants, cholesterol-lowering drugs, certain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and hormone-related drugs like thyroid meds, hormone replacement therapies or steroids.
Blood pressure medication, also known as beta blockers, cause a type of temporary hair loss called telogen effluvium – the most common form of hair falling out after medication. Similar drugs used to ease blood circulation, such as statins and anticoagulants, can also cause temporary hair loss.
She added, “Hair loss too can be a sign that you either have high BP or are at risk. Researchers have identified a link between hypertension and hair loss. The theory is that high blood pressure restricts blood supply to the hair roots causing hair loss and balding.”
The final word: Amlodipine is not known to cause the loss of hair. This blood pressure medication has other side effects, but it does not seem to impact your hair growth cycle or lead to hair thinning.
Biotin. Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is a complex B vitamin that is often touted for having hair growth benefits. And some of that hype may actually be worth it. Biotin has functions in “creating red blood cells, which carry oxygen and nutrients to the scalp and hair follicles,” says Dr. Green.
When you tweeze a hair from your chin, the body creates a stronger, deeper, thicker hair in an attempt to resist the tweezing. The body wants that hair to be there so it fights to keep it. This isn't the case for eyebrows, but it most definitely will make unwanted chin and upper lip hair growth WORSE.
“Plucking or tweezing is not the preferred method of hair removal as recommended by dermatologists,” Dr. Lertzman said. “There are other techniques – both at-home and in a dermatologist's office – that are safe and effective when it comes to removing unwanted hair from the face.”
If you've noticed facial hair starting to grow in new places, it can sometimes be a sign of a hormonal imbalance. These hormonal imbalances can have many symptoms and causes: Excess of androgens (the male sex hormone) Polycystic ovary syndrome (or PCOS)
Androgens are male sex hormones, including testosterone, which are responsible for masculine characteristics such as facial hair and coarse body hair.
As people age, they may lose hair on their legs for a variety of reasons. Hair loss can occur on your legs just as it can on your head, and, similarly, genetics can play a role in this issue. If baldness runs in the family, you could also experience hair loss on other parts of your body, such as your legs.
When to wash. Rossi generally tells his patients they should wash their hair once or twice per week. But if you've had chemical treatments that can make your hair drier — such as bleach, perms or relaxers — you might want to wash it less than once weekly to avoid breaking or brittle hair or split ends, he said.
Other body hair is not as sensitive to testosterone. Consequently, overall, women lose sexual and body hair (arm pits, abdomen, chest, pubic, leg and thigh areas, and around the nipples) after menopause.
Eflornithine is used to slow the growth of unwanted hair on the face in women, usually around the lips or under the chin. Eflornithine works by blocking a natural substance that is needed for hair to grow and is located in your hair follicle (the sac where each hair grows).