Why am I suddenly getting hair on my face?

Author: Prof. Dorcas Will III  |  Last update: Tuesday, September 2, 2025

Hirsutism is excess hair most often noticeable around the mouth and chin. With hirsutism, extra hair growth often arises from excess male hormones (androgens), primarily testosterone. Self-care methods and effective treatment options are available for women who wish to treat hirsutism.

What causes hair to grow on a woman's face?

Hirsutism is linked to hormones called androgens. It can happen if the level of these hormones increases or if your body becomes more sensitive to them. The most common cause is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This is a condition affecting the ovaries that can also cause symptoms such as acne and irregular periods.

What causes facial hair in females?

Hirsutism is excess hair growth on the body or face. It's caused by excess hormones called androgens. For women, the hair may grow in places where men often have a lot of hair but women often don't. This includes the upper lip, chin, chest, and back.

Why do I have random strands of hair on my face?

  • Hormonal Changes: Fluctuations in hormones, such as during puberty, pregnancy, menopause, or due to conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), can lead to increased hair growth in areas like the face, chest, or back.
  • Genetics: Family history plays a significant role in hair distribution and thickness.

Why do long hairs suddenly appear on my face?

Hirsutism is excess hair most often noticeable around the mouth and chin. With hirsutism, extra hair growth often arises from excess male hormones (androgens), primarily testosterone. Self-care methods and effective treatment options are available for women who wish to treat hirsutism.

Excess Facial Hair In women | Causes| Treatments | My Experience

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.

How do I stop hormonal hair growth on my face?

Options include:
  1. Oral contraceptives. Birth control pills or other hormonal contraceptives, which contain estrogen and progestin, treat hirsutism caused by androgen production. ...
  2. Anti-androgens. These types of drugs block androgens from attaching to their receptors in your body. ...
  3. Topical cream.

What does PCOS hair look like?

Women affected by PCOS commonly report bothersome excess hair growth, acne or balding (scalp hair loss or thinning). Hirsutism refers to the excess growth of coarse, often long and dark hair, in a male-like pattern over the face, chest, abdomen, back, arms and legs.

Why do women's faces get hairier with age?

During menopause, a woman's body stops circulating estrogen but continues to circulate the same amounts of testosterone. The imbalance of hormones causes the appearance of some male secondary sex characteristics, like coarse facial hair. You should let your doctor know if your facial and body hairs are growing quickly.

What vitamin stops 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.

Does plucking chin hair make it worse?

When you tweeze a hair from your chin, the body creates a stronger, deeper, thicker hair in an attempt to resist the tweezing. The body wants that hair to be there so it fights to keep it. This isn't the case for eyebrows, but it most definitely will make unwanted chin and upper lip hair growth WORSE.

How do I stop my face hair from growing?

To stop hair growth on the face, you can try at-home methods like shaving, waxing, or using hair removal creams. The best option is professional laser hair removal for the face, which is a more permanent solution than shaving for example.

How can I stop hair from coming on my face?

Hirsutism Treatment
  1. Creams. Some creams have strong chemicals called depilatories. ...
  2. Electrolysis. ...
  3. Laser hair removal. ...
  4. Medication. ...
  5. Birth control pills make the body produce fewer male hormones. ...
  6. Anti-androgens help your body make and use fewer male hormones.

What pills stop hair growth on face?

Eflornithine is used to slow the growth of unwanted hair on the face in women, usually around the lips or under the chin. Eflornithine works by blocking a natural substance that is needed for hair to grow and is located in your hair follicle (the sac where each hair grows).

What are the warning signs of PCOS?

The symptoms of PCOS may include:
  • Missed periods, irregular periods, or very light periods.
  • Ovaries that are large or have many cysts.
  • Extra body hair, including the chest, stomach, and back (hirsutism)
  • Weight gain, especially around the belly.
  • Acne or oily skin.
  • Male-pattern baldness or thinning hair.
  • Infertility.

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.

What happens if hirsutism is left untreated?

Untreated hirsutism can be associated with considerable loss of self-esteem and psychological morbidity. Hyperandrogenemia is the key trigger for excess hair growth. Polycystic ovary syndrome and idiopathic hirsutism are the most common cause of hirsutism.

How i reversed my PCOS hair loss naturally?

Herbal supplements, essential oils, and scalp massages can help combat hair loss caused by PCOS. A balanced diet with adequate nutrients is crucial for maintaining healthy hair. Managing stress, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight can promote hair health in individuals with PCOS.

What is the best female facial hair remover?

Our top picks for the best facial hair removal products in 2025
  • Best Overall. StackedSkincare Dermaplaning Tool. Read more.
  • Best for Brows. Tinkle Eyebrow Razor. Read more.
  • Best Tweezers. Tweezerman Stainless Steel Slant Tweezer. Read more.

How to stop hair growth on face permanently?

The following techniques are apt if you've been thinking a lot lately about how to remove hair permanently:
  1. Electrolysis.
  2. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
  3. Laser Hair Removal.
  4. Prescription creams.

Is plucking facial hair bad?

Key Takeaways. Tweezing facial hair can cause hyperpigmentation, inflammation, and potential scarring. Pulling facial hair out near moles, acne, and ingrown hairs can be make inflammation and potential scarring worse. Alternatives range from creams and waxing to laser removal and electrolysis.

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