More hair than would be expected for the area, age or sex — without an obvious cause. It's called hypertrichosis, and it's more common than people talk about. Here is what it actually means, and what you can do about it.
What hypertrichosis is
Hypertrichosis is the medical term for hair growth beyond what is typical for a person's body area, age and sex. It can be localised (one specific area) or generalised, and it can be present from birth or appear later in life.
It is often confused with hirsutism, but the two are different: hirsutism is specifically male-pattern hair growth (chin, upper lip, chest) in women, usually linked to androgen hormones. Hypertrichosis is a broader term — it may have no hormonal link at all.
The most common causes
Genetics and ethnicity
Some denser hair patterns are simply family or ethnic traits, with no underlying health issue.
Medication
Certain medications can list hair growth as a side effect. If you have noticed a sudden change, it is worth speaking with your doctor.
Paradoxical hypertrichosis (post-laser)
A specific case: low-grade laser or IPL heat can, in hormonal areas, stimulate fine fuzz to thicken instead of removing it. See our article on PCOS and the paradoxical effect for more detail.
Why the cause matters less than you'd think
If hair growth is sudden, very pronounced, or comes with other symptoms, talk to your doctor first — there may be an underlying cause worth investigating. But from a purely cosmetic standpoint, the good news is that treating the hair itself does not depend on knowing exactly why it is there.
Electrolysis treats the follicle directly, whatever the origin of the growth — genetic, medication-related or paradoxical. It does not depend on pigment (unlike laser), so it works equally well on dark, light, fine or coarse hair.
One Solution, Whatever the Cause
At your free consultation we assess your specific case and explain exactly how many sessions and how much time your hair type needs. English spoken.
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