While estrogen can help thin hair, it cannot completely reverse facial and body hair growth. Many trans women and other transgender people know all too well about how time-consuming daily grooming routines can be, so thankfully, there are alternative options available.
“Your estrogen level starts to decline, which alters the balance of estrogen and testosterone in your body,” Dr. Kingsley explains. “As a result, you end up with relatively more testosterone, which can cause facial hair growth.”
Birth control pills (combination estrogen-progestin oral contraceptives) – Birth control pills lower the levels of androgens. They are usually the first choice for the treatment of hirsutism, and between 60 and 100 percent of women with hirsutism will notice improvement when taking these medications.
Birth control pills or other hormonal contraceptives, which contain estrogen and progestin, treat hirsutism caused by androgen production. Oral contraceptives are a common treatment for hirsutism in women who don't want to become pregnant. Possible side effects include nausea and headache. Anti-androgens.
Even a slight increase in androgen or imbalance between your male and female sex hormones — which everyone has — can result in more terminal hairs in places you may not expect, like your chin.
Some examples include eating a healthful diet, stopping smoking, and getting regular exercise. Doctors can also prescribe treatments to reduce chin hair in females. For example, birth control pills can help balance hormone levels by reducing androgen production.
Hormonal: High levels of androgen hormones can cause the condition. Additionally, low estrogen levels can cause it because estrogen helps the liver produce a protein that binds testosterone and prevents it from affecting the hair follicles.
As women age, they may notice the appearance of unwanted, unsightly facial hair. During the hormone changes caused by menopause, estrogen levels decline while levels of testosterone and other androgens rise. This can result in hair growth on the face as well as excess body hair.
Electrolysis or laser can remove any hair remaining after hormone therapy. Because it usually is not possible to cure the hormonal problem that causes hirsutism, ongoing medical treatment is required to manage it. Hirsutism will frequently return if medical treatment is stopped.
Electrolysis is the only permanent way to remove hair. A thin metal probe is inserted in the opening in the skin where the hair grows. An electric current destroys the hair at its base. You may need to get this treatment more than once to get rid of the hair for good.
The only advanced technique for hair removal that can permanently remove facial hair is electrolysis. Electrolysis involves using an electric current to permanently destroy the hair follicle. If you have excessive facial hair growth, you must consult your doctor.
Hirsutism (HUR-soot-iz-um) is a condition in women that results in excessive growth of dark or coarse hair in a male-like pattern — face, chest and back. With hirsutism, extra hair growth often arises from excess male hormones (androgens), primarily testosterone.
Body hair removal procedures
While estrogen can help thin hair, it cannot completely reverse facial and body hair growth.
Your eyes and face will begin to develop a more feminine appearance as the fat under the skin increases and shifts.
Your doctor can also prescribe a topical cream to slow the growth or refer you to a clinic that can perform electrolysis or laser treatment for hair removal. Electrolysis eliminates hairs by killing hair follicles with a targeted electric current. If you can afford it, electrolysis or laser hair removal may be options.
In fact, by suppressing luteinizing hormone ( LH ) levels it decreases the stimulation of the theca (male-hormone producing) cells in our ovaries . Progesterone also decreases the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the male hormone that directly makes dark, coarse facial hair grow.
Estrogen and Progesterone
These hormones also help with hair growth. Estrogen and progesterone can help keep your hair in the growing (anagen) phase. Therefore, these hormones can help your hair stay on your head longer and may even help your hair grow faster.
For women, the hair may grow in areas where men often have a lot of hair, but women often don't. This includes the upper lip, chin, chest, and back. It's caused by an excess of male hormones called androgens. All women naturally produce small amounts of androgens.
Another study found that spearmint tea lowered androgen levels in women who had PCOS. Lavender and tea tree oils may reduce mild hirsuitism without a known cause. One preliminary study found that applying lavender and tea tree oils locally on the skin could improve the condition. These oils are for topical use only.
In a recent clinical trial, zinc supplementation significantly improved hirsutism in just eight weeks. The recommended dose is 30-50 mg taken directly after dinner. Don't take zinc on an empty stomach, or it could make you feel sick. Read Why zinc is my favorite prescription for healthy periods.
Hirsutism is most commonly noted on the face (9). Oral Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) may help to control facial hair in some women (3). Treatments for increased facial hair include use of depilatory creams, gentle methods of hair removal, laser therapy and anti-testosterone medication.