Recently, a patient of mine made an appointment for epilation. He came to my room and started to explain his problem. The hair on his legs had grown thick, and as if that wasn’t enough, his chest was starting to grow too. While speaking, I paid attention, my patient’s voice was also a bit thickened, his facial skin was oily. Black dots were noticeable even from the front. I looked in his file, two years ago there was no sign of such problems. He also gained some weight. He told that he could not lose weight even though he was on the regimen. It was clear, it wasn’t just an ordinary epilation issue…
We do not take those who demand permanent hair removal without question, without a plan and without a program. Because hair growth is the product of a very complex system. For example, during pregnancy, hormonal disorders and cortisone treatments, or as a side effect of some drugs, hair growth may increase in the body. In such temporary cases, treating the hormonal imbalance can largely eliminate the problem and reduce the need for permanent hair removal. Because after stopping the drugs, everything returns to normal. However, in long-term cortisone treatments, hair growth can sometimes reach very disturbing dimensions. In such cases, we may consider continuing epilation on the one hand.
The problem of my patient I mentioned above was a disease called “HIRSUTISM”. this type typical signs of hair growth; In addition to hair growth, lubrication of the skin, increase in acne, decrease in hair, milk coming from the breast, tendency to gain weight. In the advanced stages, masculine symptoms such as deepening of the voice, increased muscle structure, enlargement of the clitoris and reduction of the breasts occur. The hairs on the face, abdomen and chest become thicker.
The true cause of this disease is unknown. However, 10% of women experience this problem in their productive age. One of the reasons we know best is “polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)”. Excessive hair growth is due to an increase in the male hormone androgens (usually testosterone). Sometimes, eating predominantly red meat can disrupt the hormone balance in favor of male hormones.
Problems that can cause excessive hair growth :
▪ Menstrual irregularities
▪ Polycystic ovary syndrome
▪ If hair growth develops suddenly and very quickly, TUMOR is suspected.
▪ Some tumors cause hair growth by secreting DHEA or CORTIZOL.
▪ High level of PROACTIN
▪ Some of the CONTROL MEDICINES
▪ Sometimes hair growth may increase during PREGNANCY.
▪ EXTREME WEIGHT can cause hair growth by disrupting hormone balances.
Hair growth shows different characteristics depending on genetic factors, race and ethnic characteristics. Mediterranean women have longer hair. On the other hand, Native American and Asian women, and blondes in general, have less hair growth. The family background is also a determining factor in how hairy previous generations were.
If I go back to the beginning, the increase or decrease of hairs are not ordinary events. Aside from hair loss, no one complains about hair loss. But if the hairs are growing and getting thicker, things change. It is absolutely necessary to go beyond cosmetics, to do a series of research, to find and reveal the reasons.
Take care of yourselves,
