Question:
Does excessive facial hair get better after weight loss?
I've heard being overweight can cause hair growth to be worse, so has anyone that has had the surgery noticed the difference? Any suggestions how to take it off long-term? — April S. (posted on October 28, 2000)
October 28, 2000
It sounds like you have polycystic ovarian syndrome PCOS. I have it and
I'm hoping that my facial hair problems will disappear after surgery as
well!
— [Anonymous]
October 28, 2000
I have had a problem with lots of dark hair under my chin. I have had this
problem since about age 30. I have no idea if my weight (top weight 286)
was part of the problem or not. I am now 45 years old and 14 months post-op
164 lbs.)and still have the hair problem. After all these years of using
tweezers I decided to get electroylisis. It is working slowly. I go for a
15 min. treatment ($21.00) every month or so. Eventually it will all be
gone forever. I go to a local hair salon that has a electroylisis lady on
staff. I hope this information helps. Sincerely, [email protected]
— Cheryl H.
October 28, 2000
I have PCOS and have been on medication (Aldactone) to get rid of the hair
on my chin. It is caused by excessive testerone. I am still pre op so I
have the same concerns. I have been on this medication for about a year and
it has slowed down the growth considerably but still there. My dr says that
even my fat stores testerone so I am hoping once the weight comes off the
hair will stop growing.
— Tanya P.
October 28, 2000
April...
Please let me know what people respond to your question. I have horrible
chin hair, BLACK. I have surgery Nov 7th and I also heard that being
overweight has alot to do with facial hair. I would love for that problem
to go away also. Thanks alot, Penny
— Penny W.
October 28, 2000
Excessive hair growth in women is called hirsutism. It is caused by an
excess amount of the male hormone testosterone (yes, women have small
amounts of this hormone, too, just as men have small amounts of estrogen in
their bodies). One of the things that can cause this increase in
testosterone is IR (insulin resistance) when it causes PCOS (Polycystic
Ovarian Syndrome). PCOS causes the ovaries to secrete higher levels of
testosterone than normal. Hirsutism in itself is not a disease, but a
symptom of a more serious problem. An endocrinologist can help you with
this, but definitely, WLS should help to improve the condition because you
will be drastically limiting your intake of carbohydrates which help to
aggravate insulin resistance. Excess body hair can be manually removed. A
lot of women have electrolysis treatments. You can even buy devices to do
it yourself at home. There are also medications and treatments that you
can get with the help of a good endocrinologist to reduce new hair growth.
If you have any further questions or need help in seeking medical advice
for this, I will certainly try to help you and you are welcome to email me.
Good luck to you!!!
— SnowWhiteDove459
October 28, 2000
Unfortunately, once you have facial hair, it does not go away on its
own,EVER. Although the weight can cause the problem, losing weight will
never cure it.
Luckily, now you can have laser hair removal and that indeed will make it
go away forever. I know, because I had a horrendous case of facial hair for
years; suffered terribly, tried everything, etc.
Then I went to a free consultation at Everbare (but there are many, many
places doing it now - I'm not trying to 'sell' you on this company) and I
started the treatments. It cost me $1500 total, for 6 treatments, spread
over about 10 months. But don't worry, after 2 treatments you look
fabulous, after 4 almost perfect, and the others are usually brief
touch-ups for stray hairs.
It has changed my life. I look like a normal woman - you would never know I
ever had a problem with facial hair. it's a miracle.
And once I lose weight (I'm pre-op), I will be very cute indeed!!!
By the way, the laser treatments do sting, especially on the upper lip. It
is not painless, no matter what they tell you. Your skin is red for about 5
hours afterward, but the stinging is only while they do it; each treatment
is about 30 to 45 minutes. It is SOOOOO worth it!! I never thought i would
be hair-free... who cares about alittle stinging!!
— Veronica D.
October 28, 2000
Hi - I noticed the earlier post about laser therapy. I too tried laser
therapy - spent hundereds of dollars on it for several treatments to my lip
and chin. It does make the hair go away for a short period of time, maybe
a few weeks, but it grew back everytime. I feel it was a total rip off. I
went to an endocrinologist, he said the only proven method for permanent
hair removal is electrolysis. So I'm having that done for $22. for 15
minutes. They said it takes approx. a year of treatments before the hair
is finally gone.
— Helen N.
October 30, 2000
There is a new cream coming out on the market...it is perscription
only...for facial hair. Vaniqua (sp)
— [Anonymous]
October 30, 2000
At one year post op I still have as much chin and lip hair
as pre op. I've lost 120 pounds, have 30 more to go. I
don't think losing the weight is going to make a difference.
I use Nair 4 minute remover about once a week.
— kaydeeb16
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