Does hypertrichosis cause excessive body hair?

Hypertrichosis can affect a small area or several body regions. Hair may be fine or coarse, light or dark, and present from childhood or appear later. The pattern is different from unwanted hair caused by normal variation, and it is also distinct from hormone-related hair growth in a typically male pattern.

Family traits, medicines, skin changes and health conditions can influence new or increasing hair growth. A clinician reviews the timing, distribution and hair type before deciding whether further assessment is useful.

If the hair is stable and there are no other symptoms, cosmetic methods such as trimming, shaving, waxing or depilatory products may be considered with attention to irritation. A clinician can discuss longer-term reduction approaches and whether the skin and hair colour make a procedure appropriate.

For new or rapidly increasing growth, review medicines and health changes with a doctor before choosing treatment. Avoid repeated harsh treatments over inflamed or broken skin.

Arrange medical advice when excess hair appears suddenly, spreads quickly, or occurs with acne, voice change, scalp hair loss, irregular periods or other hormonal symptoms. Seek assessment for a new patch with redness, pain, scaling or a changing mole.

Does the distribution fit hypertrichosis or another hair-growth pattern? Could a medicine or hormone-related condition be contributing? Which hair-removal method is least likely to irritate my skin?