Facial Hair (hirsutism)

Understanding female facial hair

Excess hair growth in women, particularly on the face, is known as hirsutism. This hair is usually dark and thick. As well as on the face, it can appear in areas where men tend to have extra hair. These include:

• Neck

• Chest

• Stomach

• Lower back

• Genitals

• Buttocks

The condition is often associated with other symptoms, such as:

• A receding hairline

• A deepening voice

• Decreased breast size

• The clitoris getting bigger

• An increase in muscle mass

• Acne

Causes of excess facial hair

In most cases, excess hair growth on the face is a sign of a hormonal imbalance. Hirsutism is normally caused by excessive levels of male hormones known as androgens or by an increased sensitivity to these hormones.

In younger women, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which is caused by an imbalance of sex hormones, is often the root cause of hirsutism.

Other possible causes include:

• Obesity

• Cushing's syndrome

• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia

• Tumours that produce androgen in the ovaries or adrenal glands

• Medicines such as Danazol, certain corticosteroids and fluoxetine

For around 1 in 10 women with hirsutism, there is no obvious medical reason for the unwanted hair growth on their faces and bodies. However, there is evidence to suggest that it can sometimes run in families. This applies especially to women with Middle Eastern, South Asian and Mediterranean ancestry.

What are the symptoms of hirsutism?

Hirsutism is a condition where a person, particularly a woman, has excessive hair growth in various areas of their body. This includes the face (such as the chin and upper lip), stomach, chest, neck, thighs and genital region. The excess hair is usually dark and thick, unlike the light and fine hair usually found in these areas. There are also various other symptoms associated with hirsutism. These include:

• Acne on the face, back or chest

• Oily skin

• Changes in your voice (getting an octave higher or lower)

• Sudden receding hairline

• Enlarged clitoris (a small, soft bump in front of the opening of the vagina)

How is hirsutism diagnosed?

According to the British Skin Foundation, around 10% of women in the Western world are diagnosed with hirsutism. If you feel that you have excessive hair on your face or body, then you may want to seek a diagnosis. This might involve blood tests to measure the levels of hormones (e.g. testosterone) in your blood. The results can help establish whether you have raised levels of androgens (which cause hirsutism) and whether this is contributing to the excessive hair.

If you do have raised levels of androgens, then you may get an ultrasound, CT scan and/or a physical examination of your abdomen and pelvis. This will check your ovaries and adrenal glands for cysts and/or tumours.

Facial hair removal treatments

If your GP diagnoses you with hirsutism, you may want to seek treatment. There are various treatments available for excess facial hair growth. Always see your GP before starting any treatment, especially to rule out underlying causes (e.g. PCOS).

For many women, preferred treatments for facial hair removal include:

• Shaving: Regular shaving is a quick and easy method, though it may cause irritation or stubble.

• Waxing: This option pulls out the hair from the root, offering longer-lasting results. However, waxing can be painful and may cause temporary skin irritation.

• Epilation: Similar to waxing, epilation removes hair from the root. This is done with an epilator device.

• Bleaching: This lightens the hair colour, making it less noticeable, but may cause skin irritation.

• Electrolysis: This involves inserting a thin needle into the hair follicle and using electricity to destroy the hair root. It can be time-consuming and painful, and it may cause scarring.

• Laser hair removal: This is a long-lasting option that requires several sessions and can be costly. Laser treatment works best on light skin and dark hair.

• Contraceptive pills: Taking contraceptive pills can help reduce excessive facial hair growth by regulating hormone levels, particularly in premenopausal women. This addresses the hormone imbalances that can lead to hirsutism.

• Facial Hair Removal Creams: These creams are convenient and available over the counter, and they provide temporary removal of hair. Prescription products like Vaniqa can also help reduce hair growth over time.

Vaniqa cream

Vaniqa (eflornithine 11.5%) cream is a prescription treatment for excessive facial hair growth in women. Its active ingredient (eflornithine) blocks an enzyme in hair follicles that promotes hair growth. This results in slower growth and finer, less visible hair. Studies show that Vaniqa reduces facial hair growth in 70% of women. Major improvements take place after about 24 weeks.

However, Vaniqa is not a hair removal cream. Instead, it limits hair growth or regrowth. In the UK, it's the only nonhormonal treatment of its kind licensed for this purpose.

How to buy facial hair removal cream

If you're experiencing sudden hair growth in unusual places, talk to your GP or one of our online doctors. To help the doctor assess your condition properly, don't remove your facial hair before you see them. You can buy various treatments for excess female facial hair (including hair removal creams) online or in person.

Once you have been diagnosed with hirsutism, you can buy Vaniqa cream from Click Pharmacy's UK-registered online pharmacy. This can help stop excess hair growth. First, complete a short online assessment. One of our prescribers will review your responses. If approved, our pharmacy team will send your Vaniqa cream straight to you, with discreet next-day delivery options available. 

How can you prevent hirsutism?

While there are no guaranteed ways to prevent hirsutism or excessive female facial hair, you can make lifestyle changes that may help reduce your chance of developing hirsutism. No clinical studies prove these methods are effective. However, there are also not enough studies to prove they are not. How effective each method is may depend on the individual. You might try:

• Using skin creams (e.g. E45)

• Eating a balanced and nutritious diet

• Exercising regularly

• Drinking organic teas (e.g. spearmint tea)

• Waxing areas affected by hirsutism

• Controlling your weight, especially if you have polycystic ovary syndrome

• Using natural herbal remedies containing turmeric

• Using specific birth control treatments

• Avoiding certain drugs, such as Danazol (Danocrine)

• Avoiding drugs that encourage hair growth, such as Rogaine (minoxidil)

For more natural methods, you can read about how to naturally stop facial hair growth in females.

FAQs

How are women with hirsutism affected?

Although it does not pose a medical risk, hirsutism can be highly distressing. It can make you feel self-conscious about your appearance and have a negative impact on many aspects of your life. This can include everything from mental health and relationships to getting ahead at work and finding clothes you're comfortable wearing.

Is unwanted facial hair hereditary?

Unwanted facial hair is not hereditary, but some underlying conditions that cause it may be genetic. If you have unwanted hair and are unsure about the cause, consult a doctor or pharmacist for advice.

How common is unwanted facial hair?

Unwanted facial hair affects about 5 to 10% of all women. It is more common in women with hormonal imbalances. This can occur during menopause or because of genetic factors.