Throughout women’s lives, hormones fluctuate and can cause hair to grow unexpectedly.
Hormonal changes and conditions account for many problems besides unwanted hair. The cause can be related to puberty, menopause, pregnancy, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), an underlying medical condition, your genetic makeup and even some medications. You may want to see an endocrinologist to get a proper diagnosis and treatment. For the hair, the solution is electrolysis.
What is Paradoxical Hypertrichosis?
Beginning with one of the most important pieces of information anyone reading this page will need. Please, please, do your own research on this subject if you are experiencing any kind of hormonal changes and considering laser hair removal. It is of ENORMOUS IMPORTANCE.
Paradoxical Hypertrichosis is an uncommon but striking adverse effect of laser hair removal in an increase in hair density, colour, or coarseness, or a combination of these at, or near, treated sites in the absence of any other known causes of hypertrichosis.
It is said to have a low incidence from laser hair removal ranging from 0.6% to 10% of those treated. However, risk increases among those with underlying androgen-related hormonal conditions.
If you wish to speak to Carrina about this subject please do not hesitate to call or email.
The following link is extremely insightful for anyone wanting an honest, up close and personal story from someone who has struggled with unwanted hair growth due to PCOS. It is ESSENTIAL the full article is read to the very end so you can make an educated decision about permanent hair removal treatments. Grab a cuppa for a 10 minute read, it’ll really help.
All of a sudden I started sprouting these coarse hairs on my chin. I am only 40 years old. What’s wrong with me?
At your consultation, your electrologist will take a thorough health history. This will help them figure out a possible reason why this hair came on suddenly. Among the questions will be:
Do you have thyroid problems?
Are you diabetic?
Have you had menstrual or ovarian problems?
What medications do you take?
Do you have a family history of unwanted hair?
Some studies show women have symptoms of menopause 10 years before they reach menopause. This also could be the cause.
Electrologists cannot diagnose, but they can ask you questions that will help you have further discussions with your GP/Specialist. Regardless of the cause, your electrologist can permanently remove the unwanted hair.
Unwanted hair and the Menopause
The menopause is a natural part of ageing that usually occurs between 45 and 55 years of age, as a woman’s oestrogen levels decline but continues to circulate testosterone. The imbalance of hormones causes the appearance of some male secondary sex characteristics, like coarsening of facial hair.
Electrolysis can help permanently remove menopausal hair growth and control the development of new coarse hair by removing it at an early stage. The beauty of this method is that we only treat the affected hairs instead of aggravating the whole area.
Anything that is discussed during your consultation and treatment is completely confidential.
I have always had a lot of facial hair. I thought I was the only one, but now I am beginning to wonder – are there others like me?
There are many of us with unwanted hair. In fact, most likely, your electrologist has spent many hours receiving electrolysis treatments. Their compassion comes from walking in your shoes. There seems to be more of us with unwanted hair than without!
Every doctor I have seen tells me to “just lose some weight” and my periods will become normal. As hard as I try, I just can’t seem to lose weight. Plus I have all this hair all over my face and breasts and belly, so I have trouble changing at the gym. What is wrong?
An endocrinologist (hormone specialist) may be the person to help you. When women are overweight, have trouble losing weight, have irregular or no periods, and hair in the male pattern area (as described), they should be evaluated by a specialist. These are classic signs of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
Again, electrologists cannot diagnose, but they do recogonize what is not normal. If you have PCOS, your electrologist can permanently remove the unwanted facial and body hair.
What is the treatment for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?
Treatment depends on the symptoms. Your GP or endocrinologist can determine the best course of action to alleviate specific symptoms you have. If weight is an issue, the most successful eating pattern is following a diabetic healthy eating plan. When choosing carbs, make sure they are complex carbs that don’t raise your blood sugar.
If you develop unwanted hair, electrolysis will get rid of the unwanted hair permanently. To address the medical issues, sometimes medications are prescribed by your GP.
I went to see the endocrinologist and she said all my tests came back normal. How can that be with all this hair on my face?
Dr. Jeffrey Redmond, a NY endocrinologist, has told the electrology profession that some people’s bodies are more sensitive to circulating hormones. So just because your blood levels have come back “normal,” it does not mean that they are normal for YOU! As hard as it may seem, go back and have another conversation with your endocrinologist. We must each be an active advocate for our own health.
What is the treatment for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?
Treatment depends on the symptoms. Your GP or endocrinologist can determine the best course of action to alleviate specific symptoms you have. If weight is an issue, the most successful eating pattern is following a diabetic healthy eating plan. When choosing carbs, make sure they are complex carbs that don’t raise your blood sugar.
If you develop unwanted hair, electrolysis will get rid of the unwanted hair permanently. To address the medical issues, sometimes medications are prescribed by your GP.
I have both acne and chin hair. Will electrolysis help?
Chin hair on women is often exacerbated by tweezing and waxing. The repeated irritation from yanking hairs out can result in a larger diameter hair growing from the follicle or ingrown hairs from the breaking off of hairs in the follicle. When women tweeze hairs from their chin and have acne on their chin, but not on the rest of their face, they should find relief from their acne with electrolysis treatments.
Once they have stopped tweezing hairs from the chin and allow the electrologist to properly treat the hair, skin will clear. Hormonally caused facial hair on women usually grows in a pattern, starting with the chin and corners of the upper lip.
This topic can be an extremely sensitive one, but don’t worry, Electrologists will have spent lots of time listening to and helping countless people in exactly the same situation as you. You are in good hands. Do not hesitate to get in touch with Carrina and start your hair removal journey today.