About Normal Facial Hair on Women
Women with facial hair may feel alone, but females normally and commonly produce a thin layer of hair on the outer corners of the upper lip and chin. In America, estimates MenopauseRx.com, more than 40 million women experience unwanted facial hair. The amount and type of facial hair depends on a woman's age and hormonal changes. Does this Spark an idea?
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Puberty
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In women, puberty typically begins between the ages of 8 and 11, causing causes many changes in the growth of hair on the body. A woman may first notice the appearance of a small amount of hair coming in under her arms. As she grows, she will start to notice a thin layer of hair around the corners of her mouth as well as on the chin.
Race
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Both men and women from Asian countries produce very small amounts of body hair, meaning Asian women may not be as affected by unwanted facial hair as white women. African-American women also produce fewer hairs than white females, but face the problem of ingrown hairs after hair removal because of the curliness of their hair, reports the Hormone Help Center. Regardless of ethnicity, many women feel the need to remove even the slightest appearance of facial hair.
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After Menopause
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Between the ages of 40 and 60, women begin to experience menopause. The rapid dropping and rising of estrogen and androgen levels can cause an increase in the amount of hair produced on the face. MenopauseRx.com says this hair normally appears more coarse and thicker than the hair on a 20-year-old woman's face.
Removal
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Most women with facial hair choose to remove it in some way, often by non-permanent methods such as shaving with a razor and water or cream, waxing, plucking and laser hair removal. Creams and other products can make these processes less painful. Electrolysis, the removal of hair by sending an electrical current to the follicle root through a small needle, offers the option of permanent hair removal.
Abnormal Facial Hair
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If a woman experiences more facial hair than just a thin layer of hair around the mouth and chin, as well as excess hair on other areas of the body, she may have a condition known as hirsutism. An increased level of androgens, male hormones, or an oversensitivity of hair follicles to these male hormones cause hirsutism. Treatment, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians, includes normal hair removal methods and doctor-prescribed medication.
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References
- Photo Credit razor and gel image by Karin Lau from Fotolia.com
