Q: I have an embarrassing problem. Recently I've noticed that I have some dark hair growing above my lip and on the side of my face. It makes me really self-conscious, but I'm afraid to shave it because I don't want it to grow back even thicker. What can I do?
Before you grab that razor, let me assure you that you're not alone. What you're describing is both incredibly common and easily treatable in most cases. Hirsutism is the medical term for having thick, dark hair in places where women normally don't get it (think face, chest, armpits ... you get the picture). Though this may sound as if you're going to turn into the Wolf Man, rest assured that for most women, hair growth does not come close to reaching truly masculine levels.
There are many reasons why this pesky hair can creep up, and the good news is that most of them are totally benign (besides, of course, wondering whether your date is staring at your lipstick or your lip fuzz). First of all, some ethnic groups tend to grow more hair than others do. For example, women of Mediterranean or Indian descent tend to have more body hair than their friends from Eastern Asia and Europe (sorry, ladies). Even among family members, having darker hair and skin can mean more dark body hair growing in places you'd prefer it didn't. Otherwise, the growth is usually caused by an excess of androgens (male hormones, of which testosterone is one).
Interestingly enough, the amount of androgen doesn't necessarily correlate with the amount of hair you get, so by no means are you any manlier than the rest of your girlfriends. It's just one more thing to deal with. Luckily, there are several ways to make this currently uncomfortable problem into a little secret between you and your doctor, salon or drug store cashier.
Before I go any further, if you're experiencing irregular/absent periods, dark skin around your neck, sudden weight gain, deepening of your voice, acne, hair thinning or hair loss (and you are not currently taking steroids), this could be more than just a hair problem, and you should consult a doctor. Your doctor will probably check your blood sugar/insulin levels and androgen levels to rule out hormonal problems or rare tumors of the ovary or adrenal glands. Also, she will probably check levels of follicle-stimulating hormone and other hormones associated with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, an endocrine condition that affects one in 10 women and can cause hirsutism, acne and irregular, few or absent menstrual periods.
If the hair's the issue, there are many ways to start putting your best face forward, ranging from the painless to the inhumane and medieval. Your choice mostly depends upon your pain threshold. If the hair is simply darker than the rest of your facial hair (yes, we as mammals all have some hair on our faces, even the Gwyneth Paltrows among us), then you might want to consider a bleaching cream, sold at most drugstores or prescribed by your physician. Sometimes birth control pills can also help the issue.
Aside from this, you'll have to convince yourself of the "no pain, no gain" mantra.Waxing, plucking, tweezing and threading can all provide short-term relief, but care must be taken to prevent infection of the hair shaft. Be advised, however, that hair often grows back a little more stubbly than before, which isn't as much of a problem if we're only talking about a few isolated hairs. Laser epilation, although expensive, ultimately can provide permanent relief. No matter what you choose, rest assured that you have options and you're definitely not alone. Luckily, nowadays it is easier than ever to end the hairy dilemma.
Emily Graham is a Cavalier Daily Health & Sexuality columnist and a University Medical student. She can be reached at egraham@cavalierdaily.com. This column should be used for educational purposes only and is not meant to substitute advice from your doctor.
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