What is excess hair?
Excessive hair growth is defined as visible hair growth that is clearly stronger than you would expect based on age, gender and ethnicity. Because what is considered normal hair growth varies by person, culture and under the influence of beauty ideals, one’s own perception also plays a major role. We therefore speak of excessive hair growth when it is cosmetically or mentally stressful, or when there is a hormonal or other underlying condition.
Excessive hair can lead to ingrown hairs, skin irritation and insecurity. Many people engage in daily shaving, tweezing or waxing, but these are temporary solutions that can cause skin irritation.
Locations of excess hair
Excessive hair can occur in different areas of the body:
- Face: chin, upper lip, cheeks or sideburns. Especially in women, this can be cosmetically disturbing.
- Underarms: regular shaving often causes irritation, red bumps or ingrown hairs.
- Arms and legs: dark or excessive hair growth can be bothersome.
- Back and breast: more common in men, but can also occur in women due to hormonal imbalance.
- Bikini line: ingrown hairs and irritation are common complaints here.
- Abdomen or lower abdomen: extra hair growth in this area may occur due to hormonal fluctuations.
Depending on the cause (such as hirsutism or hypertrichosis), excessive hair can occur locally or scattered throughout the body.
Hirsutism: excessive hair in women
Hirsutism is a condition in which women develop hair according to a male hair pattern, such as on the chin or chest. This is often due to excess androgens (testosterone), PCOS, adrenal problems or hereditary factors. About 5% of women of childbearing age suffer from hirsutism.
Hypertrichosis: excessive hair growth anywhere on the body
Hypertrichosis can occur in both men and women. This involves an abnormal increase in hair growth on random parts of the body. Sometimes this is congenital, sometimes it manifests later in life.
Possible mechanisms:
- Downy hairs turn into darker and thicker hairs.
- Hair follicles grow longer.
- More hair follicles develop than normal.
Treatments for excessive hair growth at Ivy clinics
At Ivy clinics we use the Magma laser, which combines three systems to effectively treat every skin type and hair type:
Diode laser
The gold standard for permanent hair removal of thick, dark hair in skin types I-IV. Less suitable for light or gray hair.
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)
Effective for lighter and thinner hair. Can be combined with the diode laser for optimal results.
Nd:YAG laser
Suitable for dark or tanned skins (skin type V and above) and for stubborn deep-seated hairs.
How many treatments are needed?
Because hairs have different stages of growth, multiple sessions are always needed. On average, 8 to 10 treatments are needed. During the process, the hairs already become thinner and less and less comes back.
Free consultation
Every skin and hair growth is unique. That is why the skin therapists at Ivy clinics are happy to advise you on which treatment or combination of treatments will give you the best effect. Book a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your options.
