If you have a teen girl at home, you may be wondering how to remove facial hair for teenage girl? Teen girls are very particular about their appearance and often get anxious about facial hair. It is natural for girls to have a fine growth of hair on their facial skin and other body parts. However, there may be several reasons for increased hair growth in females, and teenage girls with facial hair may get concerned about the condition. Hirsutism is the medical term used to describe excessive and coarse hair growth in a male-like pattern and is known to affect about 5-10% of women (1).
In This Article
- What Causes Facial Hair In Girls?
- How To Identify Hirsutism?
- Is There A Permanent Fix For Removing Facial Hair?
- How To Remove Excess Facial Hair In Girls?
- External hair removal options
- Pharmacological options
- Are There Any Side Effects Of Facial Hair Removal?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Infographic: How To Remove Excessive Facial Hair In Girls
- Key Pointers
- Illustration: Excessive Facial Hair In Girls: Causes And How To Get Rid Of It
- Community Experiences
What Causes Facial Hair In Girls?
The onset of hirsutism or excessive hair growth begins during the teenage years. Unwanted hair growth can be caused due to hormones, side-effects of certain drugs, or your genetic structure. Let’s study each of them in detail.
1. Hormones
The most common cause behind excessive growth in females is abnormal or higher-than-normal levels of androgens (male hormone testosterone) (1).
Androgens are the hormones that regulate the masculine characteristics in the human body. Women and men produce both masculine and feminine hormones. But some girls may have excess production of androgens, resulting in male pattern hair growth, deep voice like a male, or fluctuation in weight, making them doubt their beauty.
The excess production of androgens could be due to health problems such as polycystic ovary syndrome, Cushing syndrome, and thyroid imbalance (1). PCOS is the most common cause, accounting for three out of every four cases of hirsutism (2).
Be watchful
If your girl has dark hair growth along with symptoms like acne, or greater muscle formation, it may point to a serious condition, such as an adrenal gland disorder.
2. Genetics
If a girl is having regular periods and has no other disorders, then the reason for excess hair could probably be genetical (3). If your grandmother, mother, or other women in the lineage have excess facial hair, then you are likely to have too (4).
3. Side-effects of medicines
Certain drugs, such as anabolic steroids, glucocorticoids, and minoxidil can cause hirsutism or excessive hair growth as a side effect (5).
4. Idiopathic
Sometimes, the cause of hirsutism is not known, and this is called idiopathic hirsutism. About less than 20% of all cases of hirsutism are idiopathic, which means there might be excess male-like hair even when you are having normal androgen levels and regular periods (4).
How To Identify Hirsutism?
Here are some symptoms to look out for:
- Growth of excessive hair in places where girls usually have fine growth.
- Male pattern hair growth, such as mustache, beard, chin hair, etc.
- The coarse, thick, and dark texture of hair, especially in areas where girls have softer hair.
Remember, not all excessive hair growth is hirsutism. Consulting a doctor and undergoing prescribed tests will help you understand the real reason behind the hair growth.
Facial hair can be a matter of concern, affecting women’s confidence and causing great distress. Jen, a blogger, reveals how her facial hair caused great discomfort in her daily activities. She says, “I also found that, because I had a lot of hair on my top lip, my foundation would often coat those hairs and mix with them, making it look like I had ‘dark’ patches above my mouth. This is frustrating as I do need coverage there to even my skin tone (i).”
Is There A Permanent Fix For Removing Facial Hair?
There are only temporary hair removal methods available for now such as waxing, trimming, and shaving. The procedures lead to a reduction in hair growth but not permanent hair removal. Laser and electrolysis are long-lasting and work by damaging the hair follicle, but some may experience regrowth (6) (7).
If the underlying cause is identified and treated, then the hairs might become finer and less visible.
How To Remove Excess Facial Hair In Girls?
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External hair removal options
- Epilation techniques such as waxing, threading, or shaving can be helpful in the temporary removal of hair. These methods are simple, inexpensive, and can be tried at home with an epilator or in a salon (8).
- Electrolysis is another method that has proven results of hair loss. This process helps in the removal of hair roots. According to the Indian Journal of Dermatology, you can have 15 to 50% permanent hair loss with repeated treatments (1).
- A prominent method of hair removal is the laser technique. Laser method helps in the destruction of hair follicles and the reduction of hair growth but cannot remove permanently (9).
- Depilatories, which are alkaline in nature, are available in a gel or lotion form. When these are applied topically for depilation, they dissolve on the skin and gently remove the hair (8). Consult an expert before using any kind of hair removal cream.
Pharmacological options
In this, medications are given to treat the condition that might be causing excessive facial hair.
- Your doctor is the best person to prescribe the right medications for your condition. Drugs for androgen receptor blockers, contraceptives, and medication for PCOS are considered suitable oral remedies for regulating excessive hair growth (1).
Note that any hair removal method can lead to pigmentation or irritable skin. Proper skincare and grooming after hair removal are important. Apply sunscreen and avoid prolonged exposure to UV rays to mitigate the effects.
Are There Any Side Effects Of Facial Hair Removal?
The process of removing excessive hair growth might have some minor side-effects (1). Let’s have a look at some of them:
- Itching or burning sensation
Certain hair removal processes may cause itching or inflammation. This may vary from case to case and depends on the type of hair growth too.
- Discomfort
Hair removal is different from hair-cutting, and therefore, it is not a pleasant or comfortable experience. When the hair is removed from the root using tweezers or waxing, or hair follicles are burnt to reduce their growth, it may cause discomfort and pain.
- Discoloration and scarring
Due to the application of heat, some girls may experience mild to severe scarring. This can be mitigated with proper aftercare. Many people use bleaching as a method of facial hair removal. It is recommended to always consult an expert beforehand.
- Time-consuming
Removal of facial hair takes time, and every procedure is different. Epilation methods may give instant but temporary relief. But laser takes time and requires multiple sessions over months to show results.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Illustration: Excessive Facial Hair In Girls: Causes And How To Get Rid Of It
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