Unwanted, disturbing hair growth in both men and women, young and old can be seen as excessive hair. The excess of hair has several causes such as heredity, hormonal predisposition or by, for example, (hormonal) therapies. If you find the excess of hair cosmetically very disturbing, it is recommended to first visit the Gp to have an examination of the cause.
Hirsutism is a common abnormality in women and that means that hair growth is present in places where men especially have hair. For example, mustache and beard hair or hair on your chest and abdomen.
Hypertrichose is also a deviation from hair growth and that means excessive hair growth in places where there is already some hair growth by nature. For example, hair on the hands or legs. Hypertrichose occurs both in men and women and occurs in puberty.
There are many ways to eliminate unwanted hair growth such as shaving, hair removal cream, epilation and resins. A major disadvantage of these hair removal methods is that they are all temporary. The use of laser fortunately meets the need to permanently get rid of unwanted hair.
Heredity
Excessive hair growth can be innate. Sometimes in a family, the men and women can show a relative excess of hair. Those first signs are usually visible at the end of puberty. Often this is caused by hair follicles that are sensitive to the hormone dihydrotestosterone. This makes hair thicker and darker and more visible.
Hormonal
Usually hirsutism is caused by a disruption of hormone balance. Some women with hirsutism have an increased amount of androgens or testosterone (male hormones) in the blood. Overproduction of these hormones can take place in the adrenal cortex (rare) and ovaries.
PolyCysteus Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
This is a syndrome in women with enlarged ovaries with multiple cysts often on them and which do not function properly. Here there is also an irregular menstruation, more pimples, fatty hair and weight gain.
Medicines
Also, the use of medications with male sex hormones (androgen steroids or testosterone) increases the risk of excessive hair. In many cases, the cause is not found and the excess of hair is an isolated phenomenon.