Cosmopolitan UK - 04.2020

COSMOPOLITAN ·^25

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Let’s be clear: there is nothing

wrong with facial hair, we all have

it. But if you’re a little paranoid

about the “peach fuzz”, there are

a lot of options out there – and I

should know. As a beauty director

with a stubbornly hairy face (and

no, I’m not embarrassed to admit

it), I’ve learned a few things over

my years of tweezing, waxing and,

yes, lasering, which I’m going to

pass on to you right now...

facial hair

WHAT CAUSES IT?

First things first, facial hair comes in all shapes, sizes, colours

and densities. From the super-fine fuzz on your cheeks to the

darker fluff that forms along your hairline and sideburns. Not

forgetting the thicker, coarser, prickly hairs that can crop up

around your chin and neck causing mass panic when faced

with a hotel magnifying mirror. Before you start de-furring, it’s

important to consider what’s causing it, so I quizzed a leading

expert, Dr Stefanie Williams – a dermatologist and medical

director at specialist skin clinic Eudelo – to find out what the

most common causes of excess facial hair are. Listen up.

Ethnicity &

genetics

“Sometimes, it simply

runs in families or

certain ethnicities,”

explains Dr Williams.

“Women of

Mediterranean, South

Asian and Middle

Eastern heritage, for

example, may be

more likely to have

an excess of facial

hair.” That being

said, it’s still worth

seeing your GP in

case there are other

underlying causes.

Hormonal

imbalance

“Both men and

women have male

hormones. However,

in women, if the

balance between

[male and female]

hormones becomes

disturbed, the

consequence can

be an increase in

facial hair,” says Dr

Williams. Which is

why women who

suffer with polycystic

ovary syndrome are

more prone to it. ›

Cushing’s

disease

“Although very

uncommon, another

reason for excess

facial hair may be

Cushing’s disease

(this is where the

body over-produces

the hormone cortisol)

or other adrenal

gland disorders.”

If you’re concerned,

book an appointment

with your GP who

can give you a blood

test and diagnose

any symptoms.

(by someone

who’s tried it all)

Words VICTORIA JOWETT