Facial hair growth in females, known as hirsutism, is primarily caused by excess androgens, male hormones like testosterone, which convert fine vellus hairs into coarser, darker terminal hairs, often due to hormonal imbalances from conditions like PCOS, adrenal issues, or menopause, making hair follicles more sensitive to these hormones.
We usually start with hormone therapy, such as birth control pills, to regulate your hormone levels and reduce hair growth. These pills contain estrogen and progestin, which help lower your relative androgen levels. If necessary, we add androgen suppressants to your treatment to reduce your androgen production.
Common Causes of Hormonal Imbalance
Menopause: As estrogen declines, the relative increase in androgens can lead to more facial hair and less scalp hair. Cushing's syndrome or adrenal disorders: These less common conditions can also elevate androgen levels, leading to hair changes.
Usually extra hair growth (hirsutism) is not a medical problem. It can run in families or be a part of a woman's ancestry. In some women, hirsutism may be the result of higher-than-normal levels of certain hormones called androgens. These hormones are found in everyone, although men have a lot more of them.
Vitamin B6 supplements can be used in the treatment of hirsutism caused by increased levels of prolactin in the body as it inhibits prolactin. Vitamin A is an anti-oxidant that reduces the effect of testosterone on facial hair and vitamin E reduces the production of testosterone itself.
Vitamin D Deficiency & Its Impact on Hair Follicles
This disruption can cause unwanted facial hair in some people, particularly women, as it might affect the balance of androgen and estrogen receptors within the follicles.
In polycystic ovary syndrome, the following measures can reduce symptoms caused by high androgen levels:
A women with PCOS may have to go back several times in order to get the problem under control. Plucking is one way to to hide excess hair in the early stages. Although it is a quick and easy fix, plucking the hair from the follicle can distort the follicle and can cause the hair to thicken and become darker.
Here are 9 signs your hormones may be out of whack:
Common symptoms of PCOS include:
Wrinkles: Fine lines appear more pronounced, especially around the eyes and mouth.. Sagging: Loss of firmness in the jawline and cheeks. Dullness: Your skin loses its natural radiance, appearing more lackluster.
Progesterone also decreases the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the male hormone that directly makes dark, coarse facial hair grow.
Anti-androgens.
These types of medicines block androgens from attaching to cells in the body. Sometimes, they're prescribed after six months on birth control pills if that medicine hasn't helped enough. The most commonly used anti-androgen for hirsutism treatment is spironolactone (Aldactone, CaroSpir).
The technology behind facial laser hair removal involves a process known as selective photothermolysis. The laser emits a specific wavelength of light absorbed by the pigment (melanin) in the hair. This light energy is converted into heat, which damages the hair follicle while sparing the surrounding skin tissue.
Many women find that tweezing chin hair is effective but only for one or two pronounced hairs. If you have more hair that's finer, then consider the use of an epilator or an IPL product. Both tend to offer more permanent chin hair removal results.
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)
Hormonal imbalances show up as symptoms like fatigue, mood swings, weight changes, irregular periods, skin issues (acne), hair changes, sleep problems, brain fog, low libido, digestive issues, and temperature sensitivity, affecting energy, body functions, and mental well-being, often linked to stress, thyroid, or reproductive hormones.
What can I drink to balance my hormones? Herbal teas such as spearmint, chamomile, or green tea can help support hormone regulation and reduce stress.
Chemical messengers called neurotransmitters, which are in charge of sending impulses between nerve cells, are the main hormones linked to depression and sadness. In specifically, dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin are three neurotransmitters that are vital.
Which supplements reduce facial hair?
Tweezing facial hair can cause hyperpigmentation, inflammation, and potential scarring. Pulling facial hair out near moles, acne, and ingrown hairs can be make inflammation and potential scarring worse. Alternatives range from creams and waxing to laser removal and electrolysis.
The disorder can cause many symptoms, including thicker, darker, and more excessive facial and body hair growth. While medical treatments can lead to improvements in symptoms, PCOS' effects on hair often persist for many. However, there are solutions available to address them.
A few clinical studies in adults have shown that Vitamin D supplementation can lower androgen levels, lower anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels, normalize the metabolic profile and regularize periods in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) whereas others have failed to show any effect on these parameters.
PCOS treatment in Korea integrates Western medicine (like Metformin, birth control, anti-androgens) with Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) herbal remedies (e.g., Changbudodam-tang, Chokyung-san, Gamuigibitang), acupuncture, and significant lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, stress management) to address hormonal imbalances, insulin resistance, fertility, and symptoms like acne and irregular periods, often using a personalized approach.
A cream called eflornithine can also be used to slow down the growth of unwanted facial hair. This cream does not remove hair or cure unwanted facial hair, so you may wish to use it alongside a hair removal product. Improvement may be seen 4 to 8 weeks after treatment with this medicine.