Why is my face hairy all of a sudden?

Author: Unique Beatty  |  Last update: Friday, October 31, 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.

Why is my face getting hairier?

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.

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 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 causes increased facial hair growth in females?

Hirsutism may be caused by:
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This condition, which often begins with puberty, causes an imbalance of sex hormones. ...
  • Cushing syndrome. This occurs when your body is exposed to high levels of the hormone cortisol. ...
  • Congenital adrenal hyperplasia. ...
  • Tumors. ...
  • Medications.

Causes and Solutions for Facial Hair in Women

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.

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.

Can a woman grow facial hair and not have PCOS?

But some women with hirsutism don't have PCOS or any other cause that can be found. Their hormone levels are normal, and so are their menstrual cycles.

What pills stop hair growth on the 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 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.

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.

What foods cause facial hair growth in females?

And can indirectly influence hair health, there is no direct evidence to suggest that specific foods or a poor diet directly cause facial hair growth. Claims that certain foods like dairy products or high-protein diets can stimulate facial hair growth are largely based on myths.

How do I fix my hormone imbalance?

Lifestyle changes that may help reduce the likelihood and symptoms of hormonal imbalances include:
  1. maintaining a moderate body weight.
  2. eating a nutritious and balanced diet.
  3. exercising regularly.
  4. practicing good personal hygiene, focusing on washing areas with a lot of natural oils, such as the face, neck, back, and chest.

Why is my face getting hairier as I get older as a woman?

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.

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 remove peach fuzz permanently at home?

If you want to turn your fuzzy peach into a smooth nectarine, here are some ways to remove the vellus hair on your face..
  1. Depilatory Hair Removal Cream Designed for the Face. ...
  2. Dry Shaving. ...
  3. Threading. ...
  4. Waxing or Sugaring. ...
  5. Dermaplaning. ...
  6. Laser Hair Removal or Electrolysis.

Why is the peach fuzz on my face getting longer?

Vellus hair (peach fuzz) is fine, short hair that grows all over your body, including your face, stomach, arms and legs. Vellus hair helps regulate your body temperature and protects your skin. Excess vellus hair growth can be a sign of some health conditions, such as Cushing syndrome.

What causes high levels of androgens in females?

Tumors of the ovaries and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can both cause too much androgen production. Cushing disease is a problem with the pituitary gland that leads to excess amounts of corticosteroids. Corticosteroids may cause masculine body changes in women.

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 pills stop hair growth on face?

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.

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