What is the best treatment for excessive hair growth?

Author: Ms. Mercedes Ruecker  |  Last update: Thursday, January 1, 2026

Treatments for hirsutism
  • losing weight if you're overweight – this can help control hormone levels.
  • things you can do at home to remove or lighten the hair – such as shaving, waxing, plucking, hair removal creams or bleaching.
  • a prescription cream to slow hair growth on your face (eflornithine cream)

What medication is used to stop excessive hair growth?

The most commonly used antiandrogen is spironolactone. Spironolactone may be recommended, in addition to the birth control pill, if excess hair growth does not improve adequately after taking a birth control pill for six months.

Can excessive hair growth be reversed?

Treating disorders of the pituitary gland, adrenal gland, or thyroid gland can lessen excess hair growth. Weight loss. In some women, losing weight can reduce androgen levels and cause hair growth to slow.

How to stop unwanted hair growth permanently?

Various methods like shaving, waxing, and laser hair removal can temporarily reduce hair growth on the body. For more permanent solutions, consider professional treatments like electrolysis or prescription medications. Consult with a dermatologist to determine the best approach for your needs.

What hormone pills are good for excessive hair growth?

The most commonly used anti-androgen for treating hirsutism is spironolactone (Aldactone, CaroSpir). The results are modest and take at least six months to be noticeable.

Hair Loss: Dermatologist Tips to Prevent Hair Loss & Regrow Hair

How can I stop excessive hair growth?

losing weight if you're overweight – this can help control hormone levels. things you can do at home to remove or lighten the hair – such as shaving, waxing, plucking, hair removal creams or bleaching. a prescription cream to slow hair growth on your face (eflornithine cream)

How to get rid of old lady facial hair?

No surprise there are many methods to get rid of it: you can epilate, tweeze, wax, sugar, thread, burn, shave or bleach; use creams, lasers, IPL, electrolysis or make-up. Surface removal methods like shaving are quick and easy, but stubble grows back fast.

What kills hair growth?

Electrolysis, which zaps hair follicles with electric current, is the only hair removal method the FDA calls permanent. It suits all hair types and ethnicities.

What does thick hair say about your health?

A thick head of hair is often a sign of a healthy scalp. So, when your locks become noticeably sparse, it could be a tell-tale sign of hypothyroidism. This glandular condition affects nearly five out of 100 Americans ages 12 and older and can be treated with thyroid medications.

Is electrolysis better than laser hair removal?

Electrolysis is considered a more permanent solution than laser hair removal (it stops hair growth completely while laser hair removal slows and reduces hair growth), but it requires more individual sessions (closer to 14), and the sessions can take longer. You might not see full results for nearly 18 months.

How do females get rid of excess androgens?

Androgen Excess Treatment & Management
  • Oral contraceptives.
  • Antiandrogens.
  • Aldosterone Antagonists, Selective.
  • 5-Alpha-Reductase Inhibitors.
  • Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Antagonists.
  • Corticosteroids.
  • Insulin-sensitizing drugs.
  • Topical skin products.

How to slow down hair growth?

Methods that may help modestly slow down hair growth on the head include staying hydrated, trying topical retinoids, taking oral supplements like silica or MSM, using green tea rinses, getting regular trims, limiting heat styling, keeping hair in protective styles, and using an anti-DHT shampoo.

Can thinning hair become thick again?

The good news is, in many cases, thin hair can be revitalised and regain density, depending on the underlying cause. To address thinning hair, it's crucial to understand what might be causing it. For some, it's a temporary effect of stress or nutrition, which can be relatively straightforward to correct.

Can you buy eflornithine over the counter?

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Is electrolysis painful?

Electrolysis is very painful.

For most people, today's methods don't cause a lot of pain, but it can hurt. If you find it too uncomfortable, your doctor may be able to give you an anesthetic cream.

What vitamins stop facial hair growth?

Dietary supplements that contain vitamins B6 and E are also believed to help get rid of unwanted hair growth in the facial areas. For one, vitamin B6 is thought to help lower testosterone in women and inhibit prolactin hormone production.

What is the best hair thickening shampoo?

Our Top Picks: Best Overall: Kérastase Densifique Bodifying Shampoo, $44. Best for Color-Treated Hair: Pureology Pure Volume Shampoo, $37. Best for Oily Hair: Redken Volume Injection Shampoo, $27.

How often should you wash your hair?

Generally, he says, the range is somewhere between once a day and once a week. “If you have very fine or thin hair, you may need to wash more often, while those with thick or curly hair may need to wash less often,” says Dr Elizabeth Bahar Houshmand, a double board certified dermatologist and hair health expert.

Is it normal to see your scalp through hair?

In most cases, seeing your scalp through your hair is perfectly normal. It's influenced by things like your hair thickness, density, genetics, and of course, aging.

What is a downside to electrolysis?

Electrolysis Cons

It's a time-consuming procedure requiring multiple sessions. Skin discoloration is a possibility. The electricity in the device can actually destroy the capillaries in the surrounding areas. It can be very painful.

Does plucking pubic hair make it stop growing?

Tweezing your pubes can be time-consuming and painful, but it's generally a low-risk way to get rid of a few stray hairs around your underwear line. This method plucks hair out at the root and can slow hair growth by two to 12 weeks.

What chemical kills hair follicles permanently?

Potassium Hydroxide. This extremely corrosive chemical also damages cells responsible for hair growth.

How do female celebrities remove facial hair?

Celebrities may have more time and money to devote to their appearance, but ultimately the hair removal treatments available are the same. Traditional techniques like threading, shaving, and waxing are still used; however, innovative techniques like electrolysis and laser hair removal promise more permanent results.

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