Options For Managing Hirsutism
by Julia Gregory
Hirsutism is a condition in which women experience hair growth in places where men would typically grow hair. For some women, the hair appears solely on their face. For other women, hair also grows on the back and chest. Usually, hirsutism is due to a hormonal imbalance that causes you to have too much testosterone circulating in your bloodstream. (Yes, even healthy women have some testosterone; women with this condition simply have too much.)
So what can you do about hirsutism? Most women benefit from using one or more of the following treatments and management protocols.
Laser Hair Removal
If you have relatively light skin and dark hair, laser hair removal is a good option, especially for addressing the hair on your face. It does not work as well for darker-skinned women since the laser is attracted to dark colors and will, therefore, target your skin, not your hair. Laser hair removal is not quite permanent, but it is long-lasting. You'll need a couple of treatments to substantially reduce the hair growth on your face, and then you should be able to wait at least a year or two before you need another treatment. Laser hair removal is not usually painful, although some women experience mild soreness and redness for a few days afterward.
Electrolysis
Electrolysis is another hair removal option. It takes a little longer than laser hair removal since it targets one hair at a time. However, it is a better option for women with dark hair and dark skin and for very light skin women with blonde hair. Electrolysis does pinch a little when it is performed, but your doctor can apply a numbing cream to your skin beforehand so it's not so painful. The results are permanent, but it may take you a few sessions to get all hairs treated. Electrolysis works well on the back and chest, as well as the face.
Androgen Blockers
Depending on your actual hormone levels, your doctor may prescribe medications called androgen blockers, which block the action of testosterone in your body. This can help prevent hair from growing back after electrolysis or laser hair removal. It can also help with other symptoms you might be dealing with, such as decreased breast size, a deepening voice, and acne.
If you suffer from hirsutism, don't go on ignoring your symptoms. Talk to a dermatologist about these hair removal treatment options and others.
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About Me
The decision to move one of my parents into assisted living was one of the most difficult I have ever made. I had extreme feelings of guilt that led to me being at the facility with my parent practically around the clock. It took a few months before I realized that I could not let my own life fall apart from the guilt I was feeling. I also learned that my parent was fine without me constantly hovering around. Since that time, I have had several friends express similar feelings of guilt. I started this blog to help others in the same situation understand not only their feelings about assisted living, but those of their parents.