Excessive Facial Hair In Girls: Causes And How To Get Rid Of It

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If you have a teen girl at home, you may be wondering how to remove facial hair for teenage girl? Teen girls are very particular about their appearance and often get anxious about facial hair. It is natural for girls to have a fine growth of hair on their facial skin and other body parts. However, there may be several reasons for increased hair growth in females, and teenage girls with facial hair may get concerned about the condition. Hirsutism is the medical term used to describe excessive and coarse hair growth in a male-like pattern and is known to affect about 5-10% of women (1).

What Causes Facial Hair In Girls?

The onset of hirsutism or excessive hair growth begins during the teenage years. Unwanted hair growth can be caused due to hormones, side-effects of certain drugs, or your genetic structure. Let’s study each of them in detail.

1. Hormones

The most common cause behind excessive growth in females is abnormal or higher-than-normal levels of androgens (male hormone testosterone) (1).

Androgens are the hormones that regulate the masculine characteristics in the human body. Women and men produce both masculine and feminine hormones. But some girls may have excess production of androgens, resulting in male pattern hair growth, deep voice like a male, or fluctuation in weight, making them doubt their beauty.

The excess production of androgens could be due to health problems such as polycystic ovary syndrome, Cushing syndrome, and thyroid imbalance (1). PCOS is the most common cause, accounting for three out of every four cases of hirsutism (2).

Be watchful

If your girl has dark hair growth along with symptoms like acne, or greater muscle formation, it may point to a serious condition, such as an adrenal gland disorder.

2. Genetics

If a girl is having regular periods and has no other disorders, then the reason for excess hair could probably be genetical (3). If your grandmother, mother, or other women in the lineage have excess facial hair, then you are likely to have too (4).

3. Side-effects of medicines

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Certain drugs, such as anabolic steroids, glucocorticoids, and minoxidil can cause hirsutism or excessive hair growth as a side effect (5).

4. Idiopathic

Sometimes, the cause of hirsutism is not known, and this is called idiopathic hirsutism. About less than 20% of all cases of hirsutism are idiopathic, which means there might be excess male-like hair even when you are having normal androgen levels and regular periods (4).

How To Identify Hirsutism?

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Here are some symptoms to look out for:

• Growth of excessive hair in places where girls usually have fine growth.

• Male pattern hair growth, such as mustache, beard, chin hair, etc.

• The coarse, thick, and dark texture of hair, especially in areas where girls have softer hair.

Remember, not all excessive hair growth is hirsutism. Consulting a doctor and undergoing prescribed tests will help you understand the real reason behind the hair growth.

Facial hair can be a matter of concern, affecting women’s confidence and causing great distress. Jen, a blogger, reveals how her facial hair caused great discomfort in her daily activities. She says, “I also found that, because I had a lot of hair on my top lip, my foundation would often coat those hairs and mix with them, making it look like I had ‘dark’ patches above my mouth. This is frustrating as I do need coverage there to even my skin tone (i).”

Point to consider

Thyroid problems can also cause hirsutism. So it would be best to get your daughter screened for thyroid dysfunction.

Is There A Permanent Fix For Removing Facial Hair?

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There are only temporary hair removal methods available for now such as waxing, trimming, and shaving. The procedures lead to a reduction in hair growth but not permanent hair removal. Laser and electrolysis are long-lasting and work by damaging the hair follicle, but some may experience regrowth (6) (7).

If the underlying cause is identified and treated, then the hairs might become finer and less visible.

How To Remove Excess Facial Hair In Girls?

Facial hair can be removed temporarily using external procedures such as razors or waxing strips. These methods may suit teenage girls. However, it is important to know the root cause and treat it. This might have a better chance of stopping facial hair growth. Also, do not proceed with any facial hair removal method without consulting your doctor.

External hair removal options

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1. Epilation techniques such as waxing, threading, or shaving can be helpful in the temporary removal of hair. These methods are simple, inexpensive, and can be tried at home with an epilator or in a salon (8).

Do remember

Do not wax if you take oral or topical antibiotics. It can cause skin sensitivity, making the skin tear when you wax it.

2. Electrolysis is another method that has proven results of hair loss. This process helps in the removal of hair roots. According to the Indian Journal of Dermatology, you can have 15 to 50% permanent hair loss with repeated treatments (1).

3. A prominent method of hair removal is the laser technique. Laser method helps in the destruction of hair follicles and the reduction of hair growth but cannot remove permanently (9).

4. Depilatories, which are alkaline in nature, are available in a gel or lotion form. When these are applied topically for depilation, they dissolve on the skin and gently remove the hair (8). Consult an expert before using any kind of hair removal cream.

Pharmacological options

In this, medications are given to treat the condition that might be causing excessive facial hair.

5. Your doctor is the best person to prescribe the right medications for your condition. Drugs for androgen receptor blockers, contraceptives, and medication for PCOS are considered suitable oral remedies for regulating excessive hair growth (1).

Note that any hair removal method can lead to pigmentation or irritable skin. Proper skincare and grooming after hair removal are important. Apply sunscreen and avoid prolonged exposure to UV rays to mitigate the effects.

Are There Any Side Effects Of Facial Hair Removal?

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The process of removing excessive hair growth might have some minor side-effects (1). Let’s have a look at some of them:

• Itching or burning sensation

Certain hair removal processes may cause itching or inflammation. This may vary from case to case and depends on the type of hair growth too.

• Discomfort

Hair removal is different from hair-cutting, and therefore, it is not a pleasant or comfortable experience. When the hair is removed from the root using tweezers or waxing, or hair follicles are burnt to reduce their growth, it may cause discomfort and pain.

• Discoloration and scarring

Due to the application of heat, some girls may experience mild to severe scarring. This can be mitigated with proper aftercare. Many people use bleaching as a method of facial hair removal. It is recommended to always consult an expert beforehand.

• Time-consuming

Removal of facial hair takes time, and every procedure is different. Epilation methods may give instant but temporary relief. But laser takes time and requires multiple sessions over months to show results.

Infographic: How To Remove Excessive Facial Hair In Girls

Having unwanted facial hair growth is a common occurrence among girls during puberty. But, sometimes, the hormonal changes may cause these facial hairs to become excessive. So, check out the infographic below to learn the various natural and pharmacological ways of removing excess facial hair in teen girls.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Image: Dalle E/MomJunction Design Team

Facial hair in women can be embarrassing and uncomfortable. Learn about the causes and solutions to help reduce and manage facial hair.

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Dr. Deepak JakharMD

Dr Deepak Jakhar is a board-certified Dermatologist and Medical Director at Dermosphere Clinic, New Delhi, India, with over eight years of experience. He completed his MD from the prestigious University College of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.

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Dr. Ritika ShahBDS, CLC

Dr. Ritika Shah is a certified lactation counsellor (CLC) from iNational Health Care Academy, Singapore and a dental surgeon with more than seven years of clinical experience across various cities in India. She did her graduation in Dentistry from KM Shah Dental College.

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