A symptom with genetic or pathological causes but also significant consequences for the patient's psychological mood and quality of life is the unwanted hair growth on the face or body.
Unwanted hair growth is excessive hair growth, that is, more than normal, depending on the age, gender and ethnicity of the person.
Excessive Hair Growth
Hypertrichosis or Hirsutism
It is good for unwanted hair growth to know the difference between hypertrichosis and hirsutism. Both conditions describe increased hair growth on the face, chin, abdomen, bikini area and body in general.
However, in the first case, increased hair growth is observed in men and women, in any part of the body, with a normal distribution for both sexes, while in the second, which concerns only women, the increased hair growth is located on the face or body, in places where normally the appearance of hair growth concerns only men.
Unwanted hair growth in the bikini area worries women especially when the summer season approaches.
The bikini line is the area of skin around the pubic area that is covered by a woman's bikini bottom. The specific area varies according to each woman's body type. Sometimes it can be smaller around the pubic bone and other times it covers a larger area.
Bikini Hair Removal
The effectiveness of laser hair removal is a function of many factors such as:
Hair color.
Skin color.
The general condition of the skin, as it is important that there are no rashes, infections and open wounds on the skin.
Tanning, as the body is good to have its natural tone.
As in any treatment, in laser hair removal you will inform the stuff about your history and any medication you are taking, which may affect the process, while at the same time you will be informed about the process of alexandrite laser application, the preparation, the expected results in the relevant hair growth and the instructions to follow after each session.
What to expect from Bikini Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal will require more than one session, usually 6 to 8, spaced 3 to 6 weeks apart, in order to get rid of 80 to 90% of your bikini line hair.
This is unavoidable in order to "hit" the hairs at a specific time in their growth cycle.
In the bikini area the reduction and radical hair removal is largely achieved, while it is not uncommon to require maintenance treatments once or twice a year.
An important advantage, in addition to its definitive results, is the improved tone and texture of the skin, as the treatment leaves a permanently clean, smooth area. In addition, you will get rid of the problems created by other hair removal methods, such as skin irritations and ingrown hairs.
Finally, you save time and money, as once the treatment is completed you won't need to do every hair removal with a razor or wax.
Hair growth on Upper Lip
Excessive hair growth on the upper lip, as well as on the chest and back, is the growth of dark thick hair in a male pattern, that is, in places that normally exist in men. The so-called "mustache" is strictly connected to the male image. For women, it becomes a source of stress, that's why laser hair removal is the best solution to permanently get rid of it and also of facial hair in general.
Unwanted excessive hair growth can be linked to medical conditions such as:
PolycysticOvarySyndrome, a condition that begins in adolescence and is a common cause of hirsutism. During PCOS, cysts form on the ovaries, which can affect hormone production.
Disorders of the adrenal glands, such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia, Cushing's syndrome and more rarely ovarian and adrenal tumors.
Certainmedications, corticosteroids and anabolic steroids have also been linked to the development of excessive hair growth.
Menopause, when a woman stops being under the influence of estrogen and her hair growth increases.
Risk factors that can affect the appearance of excessive hair growth are:
Thefamilymedicalhistory. Women with a family history of polycystic ovaries or congenital adrenal hyperplasia are more likely to experience excessive facial hair.
Theheritage, as women of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern origin have many times more body hair than other women without a medical reason.
Obesity, which is associated with increased production of androgens can worsen excessive hair growth.
Hair Growth: Before & After
Hair Growth & Diagnosis
A doctor can diagnose hirsutism by doing a physical exam and taking a complete medical history. Additional blood tests or imaging tests may be needed to identify the cause of excessive hair growth.
Diagnosing the cause of excessive hair growth is important because it will determine the treatment that will follow.
Treating Hair Growth
The treatment of excessive hair growth includes two main parts:
Medicine, which treats the cause of excessive hair growth, with medication that may include contraceptives, antiandrogens, corticosteroids, etc.
Aesthetic hair removal treatments with the most modern laser hair removal, with technology that is constantly evolving and leads to permanent results for patients.
Alexandrite laser hair removal has many advantages for hair growth compared to traditional hair removal methods, as:
Improves skin texture.
Time is saved and irritation caused by methods such as shaving is avoided.
The color of the skin becomes uniform.
Your image and self-confidence improves.
Many of the above two treatment methods are combined in order to achieve the best possible result.
Unwanted hair growth does not affect physical health. But it can cause image anxiety and affect your mood.
Frequent Questions
Can excessive hair growth be prevented?
Excessive hair growth cannot be prevented. However, losing weight can help treat hair growth due to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
How long will it take for me to feel better with the medication my doctor prescribed for my excessive hair growth?
Medicines may take weeks or months to see noticeable results.