As mammals, we’re all familiar with our plethora of hair. That’s right, five million and counting on the average homo sapien. Alas, some of those hairs are more coveted than others. Or at least some are more tolerated.
Take our vellus hairs. You know them as peach fuzz. They’re no big deal because they’re very fine and of a light color. But what’s up with the dark coarse hairs that have been showing up on the places men usually get hair: the upper lip, chin, chest, stomach, or back? That’s taking the whole mammal thing way too far.
You can blame it on your hormones, your genes, or certain medications you’re taking. There’s a name for the cause of your unwanted dark hairs — hirsutism.
At Romeo & Juliette Laser Hair Removal, we know you can’t always keep your unruly hormones in line. But you can keep those unwanted hairs in line by zapping them with laser energy. Laser hair removal is the best way to deal with the unwanted hairs caused by hirsutism. And this is a good time to do so for beach season. These hairs usually respond well to a single laser session because they’re so dark and easy to target.
What’s behind those unwanted hairs?
Hirsutism affects around 5 percent of women. The problem with these hairs is that they show up on places associated with male hair growth, rather than our more civilized feminine locales. They are fueled by androgens, which are male hormones. That’s also why these yucky hairs are dark and course.
When your androgens rise to higher-than-normal levels, that’s when hirsutism comes into play. All women produce androgens, but they’re typically at very low levels. But certain medical conditions can cause an increase in production of androgens, and with it those pesky, ugly dark hairs. Here’s what’s behind the increased androgen production:
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) — PCOS causes a woman to form benign cysts on the ovaries, which can affect hormone production. This leads to irregular periods and decreased fertility. And it is behind about three quarters of hirsutism cases.
- Adrenal gland disorders — Your adrenal glands are located just above your kidneys and they are responsible for hormone production. Different conditions affecting the adrenal glands, such as Cushing’s disease, can also affect the way your body produces androgens.
- Medications — If you’re taking testosterone to correct a deficiency, Minoxidil for thinning hair, or anabolic steroids, these can all cause androgen elevation and hair growth.
What should you do about it?
OK, so you have these unwanted dark, coarse hairs. You can shave them, wax them, pluck them, or give them the harsh depilatory cream treatment. And this will make them go away…for a little while. But if you have hormone issues caused by PCOS, for instance, the imbalance can be treated, but it may always be with you. And so will the concurrent hirsutism and these ugly hairs.
A better way to show these hairs who is the boss is to come see us at Romeo & Juliette Laser Hair Removal. Lasers are very effective at permanently removing these hairs. Why? We match the frequency of the laser wavelength to the melanin in the hair, which gives it the dark color. We then direct laser energy onto the area with the unwanted hair and the melanin in the hair shaft absorbs the light energy and it instantly converts to heat. That heat travels down the hair shaft into the hair follicle and it destroys the follicle, preventing it from growing future hair. Laser energy works best on dark, thick hair, which sounds exactly like those funky hairs that have been popping up in all the wrong places.
If your hormone issues continue, you may create more of these hairs in new places, but laser hair removal can keep up with them and permanently remove them.
If you’ve been finding some of these dark, coarse hairs on places like your chin or lower abdomen, come see us at Romeo & Juliette and let our laser energy get rid of them for good. Call us at (212) 750-2000 to schedule an appointment.