When is hair “unwanted”?
Everyone has body and facial hair, and how much is normal varies a lot between families and ethnic backgrounds. Hair becomes a concern when it bothers you, or when it changes: new, coarser, darker hair appearing in places where you didn’t have it before.
In women, coarse, dark hair growing in a typically male pattern (chin, jawline, upper lip, neck, chest, abdomen or back) is called hirsutism. It is common and often linked to hormones, especially polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In both men and women, unwanted hair is also simply a personal or cultural preference, and that is a perfectly good reason to treat it.
What kind of hair growth is it?
Upper lip & chin
- What it usually is
- A few dark hairs on the upper lip or chin, often since the teens and similar to other women in the family.
- Worth checking?
- Usually not, if periods are regular and the hair isn’t increasing quickly.
- What helps
- Laser for long-term reduction; threading or trimming in between.
Jawline, neck & sides
- What it usually is
- Coarse, dark hair along the jawline, neck and sides of the face: a male-pattern distribution (hirsutism).
- Worth checking?
- Yes, especially with irregular periods, acne, weight gain or scalp thinning, which suggest PCOS or another hormonal cause.
- What helps
- Laser plus treatment of the hormonal cause, often with your gynaecologist; more laser sessions and maintenance are usual.
Fine, light hair
- What it usually is
- Soft, fine, light “peach fuzz” across the cheeks and face.
- Worth checking?
- Rarely. Sudden, widespread fine hair growth in an adult should be checked.
- What helps
- Lasers work poorly on fine, light hair. Dermaplaning or gentle methods may suit better.
Chest, abdomen & back
- What it usually is
- In men, usually normal and genetic. In women, dark hair on the chest, around the navel or on the back can be hormonal.
- Worth checking?
- For women with hair in these areas, yes, particularly with irregular periods.
- What helps
- Laser hair reduction over larger areas, and hormonal treatment where a cause is found.
Illustrations, not to scale. This is a general guide; a dermatologist decides whether tests are needed after examining you.
Common causes
- Genes and ethnicity. The most common reason for more facial and body hair.
- PCOS. The most common hormonal cause in women, often with irregular periods, acne, weight gain or scalp thinning.
- Other hormonal conditions, such as thyroid problems, high prolactin or, rarely, adrenal conditions.
- Medicines, including some steroids and hormone treatments.
- Menopause, when the balance of hormones shifts and chin hair often increases.
Warning signs: see a doctor promptly
Hair that appears or increases quickly over a few months, especially with a deepening voice, scalp balding, increased muscle bulk or stopped periods, needs prompt medical assessment, because it can occasionally signal a hormone-producing tumour.
When to see a dermatologist
See a dermatologist if hair growth is new or increasing, if it comes with irregular periods, acne or weight changes, or if hair removal is causing bumps, ingrown hairs or dark marks. The doctor examines the pattern, asks about your cycle and health, decides whether tests are needed and plans treatment, including laser if it suits your hair and skin.
Managing it at home
- Trimming and shaving are quick and don’t make hair thicker; use a clean, sharp razor and shave with the grain to reduce bumps.
- Threading and waxing last longer but can cause redness, bumps and dark marks in brown skin; don’t wax over acne or irritated skin.
- Bleaching creams hide hair but can irritate and darken skin; patch-test first.
- Hair-removal creams can cause burns and allergies on the face; use with care.
How OrnaSkin treats unwanted hair
At OrnaSkin, laser hair removal is done on the DEKA Motus AX and Alma Soprano ICE lasers, both used for Indian skin types with settings chosen for your skin tone, for long-term reduction. Where a hormonal cause is likely, the dermatologist explains the tests and treatment alongside, so that laser results last. For a fixed date, such as a wedding, see the bridal skin programme.
- Laser light passes through the surface, which is cooled while it works.
- Melanin in the hair root absorbs the energy and heats up.
- The heated follicle is disabled, so hair grows back finer, slower and sparser.