Hirsuitism

Providing the most advanced Hirsuitism Treatments

What is Hirsutism?

Hirsutism is excessive hair growth. It can occur in both men and women but most often is seen in women. In women, increased hair growth is typically distributed on the body in a male pattern such as a facial moustache or beard, chest, abdomen, back and thighs. It is darker and thicker than the baby fine hair that women typically find on their body. For men, the back, ears and chest are the most troublesome areas.

What Causes Hirsutism?

Heredity is the most common cause of hirsutism and seems to run in families. Some families that are genetically predisposed will have more than "average" amounts of hair, while others tend to have less. Ethnic background, age, metabolism and weight can all influence hair growth. Normal hair growth varies significantly among different ethnic groups. In some cultures, women generally have more body hair than women of Native American or Asian ancestry.

Hirsutism is usually first noted during the teenage years and gradually becomes more severe over the course of one's lifetime. As our body ages and goes through changes, excessive amounts of hair growth can be stimulated. Common symptoms associated with this condition are signs of masculinization, such as deepening of the voice, increased muscle mass, decreased breast size, and menstrual irregularities.

Several different medical factors may contribute to hirsutism such as hormonal imbalances. Hair follicles that are overly sensitive to the male hormones called androgens, or abnormally high levels of testosterone can contribute to excessive hair growth in women.

Some medications can be associated with hirsutism such as postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy, which contains testosterone; or Danazol, a drug used to treat endometriosis, may also stimulate excessive hair growth. Other medical factors include endocrine abnormalities, ovarian lesions, adrenal disorders, and use of androgenic steroids.

How can Hirsutism be treated?

Hirsutism can usually be controlled, but not cured. Blood tests may be required to determine the underlying cause. There are many medical and cosmetic treatment options available for hirsutism.

• Oral Contraceptives:   If hirsutism is due to hormonal imbalances, it may be treated with oral contraceptives that contain estrogen, which will help to decrease hair growth. Should this condition be related to ovarian cysts, you should consult with your doctor about possible surgical removal. For menopause, you may be prescribed estrogen replacement therapy.
• Cosmetic Treatments:   Cosmetic treatments are also be helpful to control excessive hair growth. There are many methods for hair removal available at our Spa. Professional aestheticians can perform waxing to remove the unwanted hair.
• Laser Hair Removal:   Laser Hair Removal uses a visible light laser to gently remove unwanted hair, putting an end to routine shaving and waxing. This advanced technology improves upon the older, painful hair removal treatments to deliver long-lasting results. Because the laser treats more than one hair at a time, it is possible to treat larger areas such as the back, shoulders, arms, legs and face. Laser treatments leave your skin looking and feeling smoother and silkier. Best of all, Laser Hair Removal treatments are a safe, fast, gentle, and effective method for hair removal.

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