What Are The Causes Of Unwanted Hair?
Hair Facts You Don’t Know
Learn some of the underestimated facts about hair growth, various hair removal methods, and popular yet false notions. Social anxiety over the mere presence of hair often outweighs true medical problems. When you know the science of hair growth, you can make informed decisions about your treatment.
Social Concerns vs Medical Conditions
At our clinic, approximately 90% of people seeking permanent removal are completely healthy and their only concern is for social validation. In contrast, about 10% have medical conditions such as hirsutism (excess, male-pattern hair growth in women due to hormonal imbalance).
Science Behind Hair Growth
Hair grows out of tiny follicles that were created before birth. Before puberty, boys and girls have the same hair pattern. During puberty, androgens begin to rise (in males, testosterone levels are 15 to 30 times higher than in females), activating secondary characteristics such as facial hair in males. In women, hirsutism is diagnosed only when testosterone levels exceed twice normal, and masculine characteristics develop — other excess hair (sometimes called hypertrichosis) being a normal variant that can be socially undesirable.
Misconceptions About Hormonal Imbalance
There’s a popular misconception that unwanted hair is always due to a hormonal balance. Hormones are actually chemical messengers that are made by glands and secreted into the blood. The primary hair growth hormone is androgen, which is synthesised in males by the testes and adrenal cortex and in females by the ovaries and adrenal cortex. Androgens work only in areas where the hair follicles are sensitive. If a woman does not have hair in typical male-pattern areas, such as the face, chest or back—and has no other masculine features—she likely does not have a hormone disorder.
What Are Congenital Hair Growth Patterns?
Each individual is born with a genetic pattern of hair growth, this is known as their congenital pattern. This can be normal or unusual.
Normal Congenital Pattern:
These are typical patterns of hair in humans, evolved to provide certain protective functions:
Eyelashes: These tiny hairs serve as a filtration system against dirt and excess light.
Eyebrow: Filter dust, protect from sweat, provide shade against the sun, and cushion the eyes.
Nostril hair: Filter dust, pollen and other airborne debris for cleaner air.
Ear hair: Protects the ear canal from insects and debris
Scalp Hair: Essentially their purpose was to protect the head against UV rays and temperature, but now they form an important part of one's appearance.
Body Hair: Present on legs, arms, underarms and pubic region, these aid in minimising friction and preventing irritation.
Abnormal Congenital Pattern (Congenital Hypertrichosis)
This is when individuals develop an unnatural amount of hair — in the form of thick, dark terminal hairs covering most of the body parts except in places where hair normally does not grow (palm, soles, centre of the forehead, etc). It is encouraged by hair follicles that are overly sensitive to hormonal changes, genetics or external catalysts.
- It may be present at birth or acquired later in life.
- Temporary hair removal methods like shaving, waxing and depilatory creams can provide short-term relief but often stimulate excessive hair growth.
- Permanent hair removal method: Electrolysis Blend Valeda Holistic Combination Mode ( EBVHCM ) can effectively provide relief even from some of the most severeand typical cases.
- In addition, individuals with this condition may face social stigma and psychological distress, emphasizing the importance of an integrated approach to treatment that addresses both physical and psychological aspects.
External or Topical Causes of Unwanted Hair
External factors such as friction, UV exposure, and skin irritation can also stimulate growth of unwanted hair.
Commonly used methods of hair removal such as waxing, threading, and tweezing can stimulate hair follicles, resulting in thicker and coarser hair growth over time especially in testosterone sensitive areas such as the face and neck.
Irritation & Increased Blood Flow:
Prolonged skin irritation from friction, chafing, burns or ultraviolet light etc, raises blood circulation. This extra nourishment received by dormant hair follicles through good blood circulation can revive them leading to stronger hair growth.
Temporary Hair Removal Methods:
Waxing
Threading
Pulling
Whenever a hair is pulled from any of these methods, the hair follicle suffers an injury at its root. To repair this damage the root receives better blood circulation and nourishment and as a result of this the next hair follicle that comes out becomes more stronger and thicker.
It is important to note that repeated use of such methods can not just convert fine vellus hair into a coarser terminal hair but also cause scars and visible skin damage which can lead to mental trauma and psychological disturbances.
Myths About Shaving And Cutting Hair:
It is also a common myth that shaving or cutting hair affects hair growth or structure. But the truth is that it just snips hair on the surface and creates a blunt tip that might appear thicker or rougher, but the regrowth is not at all affected.
Dangers of waxing on the face:
Waxing on the face could transform fine vellus hairs into denser and more noticeable bristles as discussed in the above sections. This accumulated unwanted hair can cause skin irritation and emotional discomfort, thus requiring more frequent removal sessions.
Paradoxical Hypertrichosis:
Wrongly performed, laser hair removal may lead to an increase in hair growth instead of its removal. One such condition is known as paradoxical hypertrichosis, which typically results from improper laser settings. At Valeda, Dr. Seema Bali’s specialized Electrolysis Blend Valeda Holistic Combination Mode (EBVHCM) targets hair at the root, allowing the treatment of unwanted hair to be managed without these negative outcomes in a safe and effective manner.
Thus, while temporary hair removal techniques might seem to provide relief in a short span of time, they can invigorate hair follicles, resulting in thicker and denser hair regrowth. It’s crucial to select treatments judiciously, particularly in sensitive, testosterone-rich areas such as the face and neck, and to seek professional advice before doing so to avoid having unintended consequences.
Internal or systemic causes of unwanted hair growth
The growth of unwanted hair can be caused by various internal factors which can stem from either normal hormal changes that the body goes through at various stages of life or from serious medical conditions.
We at Valeda Skin & Hair Clinic have been providing permanent relief to patients from across India and the world suffering with these issues from last 40 years.
With 4 decades of experience in skin and hair care treatments under Dr. Seema Bali, MD, BHMS we know what causes them and how to treat them holistically.
Normal Systemic Changes
Increased hair growth can be caused by normal fluctuations of hormones during life stages such as puberty, pregnancy and menopause. In such phases, androgens (e.g., testosterone) may promote hair in hormone-dependent regions. For example:
- Puberty: Hormonal spiking leads to new growth of fine hairs that can thicken over the years — especially if hair-removal methods such as tweezing or waxing are used repeatedly which can lead to unusual activation of the hair follicles.
- Pregnancy: During pregnancy, levels of androgens can sometimes rise temporarily which can cause increased hair growth on the face or abdomen. These hairs usually fall out after the childbirth as the hormone levels return to normal, though aggressive hair removal can change the fine hairs to coarsely terminal hairs.
- Menopause: As estrogen levels fall, the body may start producing more androgens causing unwanted facial hair usually on the chin, upper lip or cheeks.
Knowing these natural changes prompt the individuals to know about how hair growth could be predicted and controlled in time with the help of a proper and individualized treatment plan.
Abnormal Systemic Changes
In some cases, an excessive or abnormal growth of hair can be due to a medical condition. Hormonal imbalances due to conditions such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), Cushing’s Syndrome, and Adrenogenital Syndrome lead to unwanted hair on the face and body. For instance:
- PCOS: Involves multiple cysts on the ovaries and high androgen levels causing hirsutism. But not all cases have abnormal testosterone levels, which is why a precise diagnosis is critical.
- Cushing’s Syndrome: The body produces excess cortisol which leads to weight gain and unusual thick hair growth.
- Adrenogenital Syndrome: The body produces excess androgens from adrenal glands causing male like features in females.
Other pathological conditions such as acromegaly, or rare syndromes (for example Archard-Thiers Syndrome) can also lead to excessive hair growth.
The Influence of Surgical, Medicinal, and Emotional Factors
Surgical procedures (such as ovariectomy, hysterectomy, adrenalectomy, or thyroidectomy) and medications (including corticosteroids, anti-seizure drugs, immunosuppressants, or blood pressure medications) can also lead to hormonal imbalances. These factors can cause abnormal hair growth by changing the body’s hormone balance. In addition, psychological stress, anxiety, depression, or trauma can raise levels of the cortisol and androgens, which can also trigger hair growth in sensitive areas.
Our Comprehensive Approach
Valeda focuses on addressing the underlying causes of unwanted hair using the Electrolysis Blend Valeda Holistic Combination Mode (EBVHCM). We treat not only the physical manifestations, but also address the systemic issues wether arising from normal life stages or due to an abnormal medical condition like PCOS. With our personalized consultations and treatments, we help restore hormonal balance and remove unwanted hair permanently to help you feel confident again.
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| 🏥 Address: | Valeda Skin and Hair Clinic |
| 📞 Phone: | 9313233341, 9971854669 |
| ☎️ Landline: | 011 40244119 |
| 📩 Email Id: | doctor@valedalife.com |