COSMOPOLITAN ·^25glow
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