Why is hair growing on my chin

Insulin resistance can also raise the body's levels of testosterone, and thus the amount of facial and body hair you grow as well, Dr.

Sood explains. How the heck do you get a sense of whether this is you? Being increasingly thirsty, urinating more frequently, and feeling weak and fatigued are all ways your body tries to tell you it's experiencing issues related to insulin resistance. Your doc can order blood tests to determine if you have, say, diabetes. Once your body's insulin resistance is in control, there's a good chance your hair growth will return to normal.

As you probably know, your hormones go a little haywire when you're pregnant. One shift that occurs is a rise in testosterone levels. But wait—estrogen levels also go up during pregnancy, right? So most women don't experience symptoms such as unwanted hair growth despite the turned-up male hormones, Dr. But there's always a "but," isn't there? It's pretty hard to predict exactly what pregnancy-related hormonal changes will bring on, so never shy away from calling your ob-gyn because, per Dr.

Sood, a simple blood test can help determine if your chin or facial hair issue is just another bodily change from pregnancy hormones, or something else that needs to be addressed. Weight Loss. United States. Type keyword s to search. Today's Top Stories.

Taraji P. Accessible Beauty Products For All. Peopleimages Getty Images. Related Story. It's far less common than PCOS, affecting an estimated 1 in every 50, people, but women are three times more likely to develop it. What is Cushing's syndrome, we hear you ask?

Well, a syndrome caused by high levels of a hormone called cortisol. In addition to facial hair, it can cause weight gain, stretch marks , skin that bruises easily, and muscle or bone weakness. It can occur as a side effect of taking certain medications, or more rarely, because of a tumour developing inside a gland, so it needs managing with appropriate advice from a medical professional. If your increase in chin hair production has coincided with a noticeable weight gain or weight loss, the two could be related.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, she adds, extreme weight loss can cause an increase in fine hairs, like those usually seen in children.

This is known as lanugo, and can be an indicator of anorexia , a disorder for which you should always seek the support of an expert. Specifically, "it occurs more commonly in women of mediterranean or Middle-Eastern origin. Want to tackle the hair on your face once and for all? Similar but not the same as upper lip hair removal options , you have to be more careful with treating your face hair as your skin is more sensitive.

But, do note here: these are only available on prescription, and range from oral contraceptives to spironolactone. But, again, there are side effects, and it can sometimes cause inflammation and scarring. However, the procedure will not keep the hairs from coming back.

Shaving can remove chin hair, but it may lead to irritation that causes shaving bumps. The medical name for these bumps is pseudofolliculitis barbae. Waxing involves applying a special wax to the area of skin and using strips of cloth or paper to remove the hair.

The procedure can be painful. This approach is another short-term option, and it can also irritate the skin. Waxing can lead to ingrown hairs when regrowth occurs. Females with PCOS may also benefit from lifestyle changes to maintain a moderate weight. 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. For those unable to take these medications or with hair growth that persists, a doctor may prescribe stronger medications.

These may include:. Doctors usually recommend sticking with a treatment for at least 6 months before trying a new one. The chin hairs are sometimes a normal part of aging after menopause. However, they can also indicate an underlying condition causing hormonal imbalances.

Anyone concerned about chin hair growth should talk to a doctor or dermatologist about potential treatment options. Hirsutism is when hair grows in unusual areas of a woman's face and body, such as the face or back, or at an unusual density and thickness.

It usually…. Unwanted hair growth on the body or face has a range of causes linked to hormones. Learn more about excessive or unwanted hair in women here.

Polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS affects how the ovaries work and is linked to a hormone imbalance. A lack of ovulation can lead to fertility problems.