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).
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 a 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, fluctuation in weight, etc. 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).
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.
Is There A Permanent Fix For Removing Facial Hair?
There are only temporary hair removal methods available for now. 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?
Facial hair can be removed temporarily using external procedures. These methods may suit teenage girls. However, it is important to know the root cause and treat it. This might have a better chance of stopping facial hair growth. Also, do not proceed with any facial hair removal method without consulting your doctor.
External hair removal options
Pharmacological options
In this, medications are given to treat the condition that might be causing excessive facial hair. Note that any hair removal method can lead to pigmentation or irritable skin. 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 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.
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.
