Many women continue to look for effective ways to get rid of excess "vegetation" on the face, arms, legs and other exposed parts of the body
Thanks to epilation it is not difficult to remove excess hair.
But there are cases when excessively thick hair is an indicator of deep and serious problems, notes the Russian endocrinologist Dr. Elena Gavrilova, PhD
Most often women from the southern regions suffer from excessive hair growth. Probably for this reason, it was in the Arab countries that such methods of removing excess hair using sugar and thread were born.
With what do women try to get rid of more lush hair: with hot or cold wax; with an electric epilator; with resin, pumice stone, sugar, caramel, with "medicine" from walnuts, and also with longer-lasting methods, such as electro-, photo- and laser epilation.
Here's what the experts recommend: whatever methods you use to get rid of the unwanted hair, including and beauty salons and beauty clinics, first of all consult an endocrinologist gynecologist. This is necessary to make it clear that your hair growth is not related to serious diseases and is not just a cosmetic defect.
This problem has two varieties. In the first case, the hairs grow where they should, only they are very thick. This defect is more noticeable in brunettes than in blondes. Their hairs are light and do not stand out. In case of excessive hair growth, the woman's family history should be followed.
If her grandmother and mother had a similar problem, then most likely this will be inherited by both the daughter and the granddaughter. As we mentioned, with excessive body hair as a cosmetic defect, you can fight with all possible methods: plucking hairs, discoloring them, shaving them, affecting them with a laser, etc.n.
The problem is completely different when the cause of excessive hair growth is the so-called hirsutism (excessive male hair growth in women). In this case, body hair in ladies is not just thick, but grows where it shouldn't be. For example on the chin, chest, back.
Of course, with the help of epilation nowadays, hair can be destroyed on any part of the body. Laser hair removal is officially included in the medical standards for the treatment of hirsutism. But first it is necessary to clarify what this violation is related to. If it is a family history, i.e., hereditary or so-called idiopathic hirsutism for which there are no specific causes is one.
However, if this condition is associated with some pathology, it must first be brought under control and the underlying disease compensated accordingly. And only then deal with the aesthetic part of the problem. Otherwise, hair removal will not give a lasting effect.
In addition, it is important to know that external defects are not the only dangerous consequences of hirsutism. The following symptoms may indicate a possible connection between hirsutism and another disease:
• Hair growth increases not during puberty, which is most often normal, but in mature and advanced age. This fact may raise suspicions about the so-called androgen-dependent tumors of the ovaries and adrenal glands
• Signs of virilization (a condition in which women develop male external markings and traits). Among them are a coarsening of the voice in girls or women, an increase in the clitoris and muscle mass - the figure acquires masculine outlines. And also male pattern hair loss, which is not related to puberty, when young people often develop acne
• Irregular menstrual cycle, obesity, infertility. Such symptoms often occur in polycystic ovary syndrome
• Excessive roundness of the face, thinning of the skin and appearance of stretch marks on the abdomen. This is what happens in Cushing's syndrome
In addition to the stated causes, hirsutism can also lead to: congenital hyperplasia of the adrenal glands; excessively increased level of growth hormone; insulin resistance and even taking some medications. For example, such as cyclosporine, testosterone preparations, anabolic steroids, glucocorticoids, minoxidil, etc. But, of course, no conclusions should be drawn on the basis of symptoms alone. It is very important that the specialist conducts a careful examination and questions the patient. A blood test for the level of various hormones may be required for proper diagnosis. And also an ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs and the thyroid gland. As well as magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography.
In order to select a strategy for the treatment of hirsutism, it is necessary not only to establish whether the patient actually has this problem or not. It is necessary, if there is a problem, to determine the degree of expression. For diagnostics, it is enough to calculate the points according to a special Ferriman-Galvey table. It is necessary to evaluate hair growth in nine androgen-dependent areas:
• upper lip;
• the chin;
• chest;
• shoulders;
• thighs;
• upper and lower back and abdomen
If any of these areas are missing terminal hairs, 0 points are given. Minimum hair growth is assessed at 1 point, maximum at 4 points. From 0 to 8 points, there is no hirsutism; from 8 to 15 points - average degree of the disease, and everything above these values is average severity, and above 25 points - severe hirsutism.
The severe degree of hirsutism is a reason for carrying out not only cosmetic, but also medical treatment. Oral contraceptives, antiandrogens and other preparations can be used. In addition, lifestyle changes are also important: reducing body weight, quitting smoking, because cigarettes increase the risk of side effects from medications. And also avoiding heat procedures and sunburn.
