Hypertrichosis or a hairy body or face is abnormal growth of hair in the body. This condition leads to excessive hair growth that is unusual for the age, sex and race of a person. This is not the same as hirsutism, which is excessive hair growth in females that follows a male distribution pattern and is due to high levels of androgens. Hypertrichosis can increase in all areas of the body or will also be distributed in small patches.
Hypertrichosis may be congenital or present at birth or acquired later in life.