Most of the time, we take very little notice of our hair and nails. Except maybe during adolescence when we are trying to “find” our-self, our style, etc. As long as things are normal for us, we just don’t really notice.

Pretty much, on this website we focus on hair loss and thinning hair for women (as well as men and children.) Today we will take a look at the opposite side of the spectrum.

Have you ever heard of hirsutism? This is the term for the growth of coarse hair on women but - in a male pattern. In women, there is a wide variation of normal hairiness. For instance, some hairs on the upper lip, around the nipples and on the lower legs are common enough to be normal. Particularly this is true after menopause. On the other hand, a heavy beard or growth on the chest is clearly abnormal. There is no easily identifiable point to distinguish between what is normal and what is abnormal.

The problem is made even more difficult by the consideration variation between different racial groups. Many Middle-Eastern and Mediterranean women have dark hair on their face and limbs. Typically this is not the case with North American women.

If you have concerns about excessive hairiness, you have to decide whether on not to consult your doctor. The huge majority of excessively hairy women have no underlying “disease.” It’s just a part of their development and may run in their family history. If, on the other hand, the hirsutism comes on very suddenly, your doctor might want to do some blood test. You must decide if you wish to have treatment for your excess hair growth.

What are some common treatments? Shaving would be one. Today there are shavers marketed especially for women so it’s become a more accepted practice. Waxing is a great way to go especially for large areas of the body such as the legs. It is a great salon treatment and should be done every couple of months. The hair is removed by the root and possibly for a few individuals it could eventually be permanent. However, waxing can be painful but many feel the end result is worth the pain. Bleaching hairs makes them less obvious and this is a method of choice by many women.

There are creams that loosen hair, thus enabling it to be pulled out. You should know however, these creams can irritate the skin, are very foul smelling, and are quite frankly, very toxic! It is for these reasons that these creams are not widely used.

Electrolysis is also somewhat popular but is expensive. A fine needle is pushed down the side of the hair shaft and a tiny electric current is passed which is converted to heat and destroys the root. Very few hairs regrow. Electrolysis treatments are painful and most people can only tolerate a fifteen minute session. In that amount of time, between 50 and 100 hairs can be treated.

As with many other conditions, there are drugs which will reduce hair growth. However, the treatments will go on indefinitely and there are side effects so this is one condition you will probably want to deal with in a more “natural” fashion, as discussed above.