Posted By

July 2, 2008, 10:31 pm
Flag as Inappropriate JennieA  

  Subject

Dark Hairs 

You know the random dark hair that pops up one day on your neck or chin or shoulder that you could swear was never there before? I'd imagine they may be linked to hormone levels but is there anything you should worry about other than how to pull it out? 

July 3, 2008, 6:45 am
Flag as Inappropriate Sean35 says...

Are you a smoker? Smokers are actually more prone to such hairs coming out and it can get even worse as you grow older. What is your heritage? In some nationalities this is very common.

Sean 

July 3, 2008, 7:22 am
Flag as Inappropriate Sierra says...

I'd never heard of this before and am curious to find out the answer to the reason as well. However, if the hairs bother you, you could try electrolysis which is suppose to remove hairs forever (though I hear it is painful). 

July 3, 2008, 8:38 am
Flag as Inappropriate RobertL says...

I guess those dark hairs popping out can be bad on women. If you don't like the unisex look you can try bleaching.

I'd guess that women who have those dark hairs might have extra male hormones in them and the hairs come out because of that. So you might have to get in a lot of bleach or good razors because as women get older, their female hormones goes down and the male hormones kick in more. You're going to have a lot more dark hairs growing on you.

I once saw an elderly woman on the train who actually had a real mustache growing on her. It wasn't that thick but it was long. I nearly lost my cookies.

On second thought, shave them off. Or pluck then out. Don't bleach them. Maybe that was what this lady did and seeing the hairs on her upper lip still haunts me. I'd hate to see dark hairs growing on a lady's chin.

 

July 3, 2008, 10:51 am
Flag as Inappropriate gbyrd says...

Here's a pretty informative piece I found on the subject:

Hormonal changes in a woman's body through her life will cause changes in her hair type and how it's produced. Before puberty, facial hair is a fine, thin type known as "vellus." With the onset of puberty, hormones transform some hair to a coarse pigmented variety called "terminal." The appearance of terminal hair in the pubic and axillary (under the arm) regions is caused by male hormones that are produced in puberty. For some women, terminal hair begins to replace vellus hair on the face.

When they compare their facial hair at age 40 with what it was at age 20, many women note subtle increases that they may deem abnormal or cosmetically disturbing. These increases may be bothersome, but they're generally part of the normal skin changes associated with aging, and aren't connected with an increase in male hormone levels.

At menopause, the ratio of male hormones -- androgens -- to estrogen may change, and this can produce mild increases in facial hair.

Finally, if a woman's mother or father has a good amount of facial hair, chances are that she will, too. Heredity dictates how thickly hair follicles are distributed through the skin, and this is fixed at birth. Certain ethnic groups are more likely to develop facial hair than others, so heavy facial hair is quite normal in some families.

In addition to measuring testosterone and DHEA sulfate levels, taking a thorough history is crucial. Be sure to tell your doctor all of the supplements and vitamins you are taking and report any breast discharge. If possible, bring photographs to your doctor to demonstrate changes in hair growth. (Researchers have developed a "scorecard" to help physicians visually determine what is normal in terms of hair type and quantity.)

With PCO, or when the cause is elusive, birth control pills can be used to limit hair growth. The birth control pill works by rendering some of the circulating androgen inactive. Adrenal hyperplasia is treated with a different hormonal antidote.

A number of other medications have proven helpful. Spironolactone, a diuretic, inhibits androgen production. Ketoconazole, an anti-fungal drug, also blocks the creation of male hormones.

For women with minimal facial hair, there are a number of options, but all have drawbacks. Temporary solutions such as shaving and depilatories can irritate skin. Electrolysis is costly and uncomfortable, but it does yield results. Laser therapy is similarly costly, and it should be used with caution by women with dark skin, since permanent skin blotching can occur.

The most encouraging development is a cream called Vaniqu.

http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/women/9911/29/excess.facial.hair.wmd/

 

July 18, 2008, 11:26 am
Flag as Inappropriate lilbit says...

I am Italian and i get those stupid hairs. I hate them. I used to pluck , pluck , pluck. Then I got the laser hair removal done and it really helped make a difference. I can`t afford to go anymore darn it. It`s expensive at first then you go about 2 or 3 times a year. Using hot wax makes it come in less too.