Causes of Unwanted hair growth in females and treatments to overcome it
Some females tend to have excessive hair growth on their faces and body. This condition is medically called hirsutism. Women generally have hair on their faces and body. But it is thinner and lighter. But women suffering from hirsutism are likely to grow dark and coarse hair.
Cause of unwanted hair growth
Unwanted hair grows on a female body if there is excess androgen production in their body. Androgen is a male hormone, and testosterone is the main among them.
Again all females produce androgens in their bodies. But it is in smaller quantities. Females with hirsutism produce more androgen than the optimum level. Hence results in hormonal imbalance.
Having excessive weight is one of the risk factors for unwanted hair growth. Overweight females tend to have a decrease in estrogen levels(female sex hormone) and an increase in testosterone levels(male sex hormone). Thus increase in testosterone causes unwanted hair growth.
Unwanted hair growth is also a common symptom in females having PCOS (Polycystic ovarian syndrome). This is a major problem that females are facing in today’s world. PCOS causes a delay in periods and this results in hormonal imbalance which can cause unwanted hair growth.
Effects of unwanted hair growth
There are no underlying effects on your health due to hair growth. But, some females might get over-conscious about the problem they are facing. So, in turn, can reduce their self-confidence and affect their mental health.
But, this problem does have solutions and should be treated. Because, in most females, it happens due to imbalanced hormones. It should be treated because this imbalance can cause other health problems too.
How to get rid of unwanted hair
You can treat unwanted hair from both insides as well as outside. You can cure it internally by consulting a doctor and taking medications. Your doctor will take a blood test to know the hormonal levels in your body. You’ll be given medication as per your medical condition.
Another way to get rid of unwanted hair is through weight loss. Excessive weight also can cause the production of excessive androgens. So, exercising regularly and keeping weight under control can help in reducing the growth of unwanted hair naturally.
There are various other methods to reduce unwanted hair externally. Some of them are shaving, waxing, and depilatories. These give you immediate results. But the hair grows again after a shorter period. It’s because all these methods remove hair on top of the skin. But the follicle under the skin again regenerates hair after a few days.
While there are some other treatments to give long-term results. Laser treatment is one of them.
Laser hair removal treatment
Laser treatment is one of the treatments which gives permanent or near-permanent results. In this treatment, laser light is used to heat the hair follicles (present just beneath the skin). This heat in turn damages the follicles. Hence the weak follicles can not hold the hair strongly.
So, it results in the fall of present hair. Although laser treatment removes the hair, it does not give one time result.
The follicles rejuvenate and again regenerate the hair. But relatively lighter and thinner hair is produced this time. Hence multiple sessions are required to get the best results from the laser treatment.
Usually, dermatologists say that most individuals need 4 to 6 sessions on average. These all sessions take a minimum of 6 to 9 months. They also recommend having maintenance sessions once all the sessions are done. These sessions are usually performed every six months for about a year based on your skin type.
So, although laser treatment is claimed to be the permanent hair removal treatment, it also can not give results immediately. But you can see improvement in the hair reduction after each session. Hence, it gives long-lasting results among all the treatments available on the market.
There are some laser hair removal tools available in the market. But they are not scientifically approved to be effective and safe. So, consult a dermatologist and get treatment from the safest hands.
Home remedies to remove unwanted hair
There are some home remedies to treat unwanted excessive hair. Some of the DIY remedies are discussed below.
Lemon for lightening unwanted hair
Make a mixture using one tablespoon lemon juice, half a tablespoon sugar, and little water. Apply it to the unwanted hair area, massage it for a few minutes and let it sit for 15 – 20 minutes. Then wash with lukewarm water. The citric acid in lemon helps in lightening and thinning your unwanted hair. You can use this treatment frequently until you see the results.
Turmeric, to use as ayurvedic treatment
Turmeric works wonders in lightning and reduction of unwanted hair. You can form a thick paste of turmeric, gram flour, and lemon juice and apply it to the unwanted hair area. Wash it after 15-20 minutes with lukewarm water. Apply it regularly to see results.
You can not see immediate results as these are home remedies. But consistent usage of these helps in overcoming unwanted hair naturally.
Which treatment to choose?
Well, all the treatments discussed above help in the reduction of unwanted hair. But only some work for someone according to their medical condition.
If you suffer from PCOS or adrenal gland disorder, you should undergo medication. It helps in balancing your hormonal levels, therefore reducing unwanted hair growth.
But if you don’t have any pre-existing medical conditions, then the unwanted hair growth may be due to excessive weight or unhealthy food choices or stress, etc.
Identify your condition and try to find a solution according to that. If you’re overweight, try to keep your weight in control. Have a healthy diet along with exercise. Practice meditation if you’re stressed out.
Well, treatments like laser treatment or electrolysis can give you permanent results. So, if you do not have much problem with the unwanted hair, you can opt for natural remedies or other home treatments like waxing or shaving. But if you wanna see the best and most permanent results you can also go for laser treatment. Laser treatment is a bit on the higher price though.
