HAIRY BODY OR FACE

Overview & Facts

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.

Types & Symptoms

Types

There are two forms of hypertrichosis: general, which is located in all areas of the body and localized, which is limited to a certain area.

Symptoms

The identifying characteristic of hypertrichosis is excessive hair growth. Hair in hypertrichosis is usually longer than anticipated and may encompass any hair form (lanugo, vellus, or terminal). Hypertrichosis can also grow in patterns while it can also have generalized hear growth over the whole body. It may also be localized to a single area in the body.

The major symptom of hypertrichosis is the presence of excessive hair that grows beyond what is usual for a person’s age, race, and sex. Hair may also show up in areas where hair is not normally grown.

Diagnosis & Medications

DIAGNOSIS

Your doctor may diagnose you with hypertrichosis if you are growing hair in excess of what is usually expected for your age, sex, and race in areas that are not androgen-sensitive. The excess hair may also be increased in size or density and could encompass any hair variety (lanugo, vellus, or terminal).

 

MEDICATIONS/TREATMENT

Treatment of hypertrichosis is hair-removing. There are many ways but they should be repeated often as hair continues to grow again.

Ways include the following:

  • Repeated shaving
  • Chemical epilation
  • Electrolysis and thermolysis
  • Waxing
  • Laser hair removal
  • Immunosuppressantsdrugs
  • Androgenic steroids
  • Hair-growth drugs

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