A great many men and women experience the embarrassment of unwanted hair growth, which can appear just about anywhere on the body. Common places for unwanted hair to sprout include but are not limited to: the upper lip and chin; chest, back, and under arms; fingers and toes. Laser hair removal, a relatively recent process . it has only been around for the last twenty years or so . has thus far proven very successful in eliminating this often socially painful problem.
There are several causes of unwanted hair growth. One, called hypertrichosis, is defined as being the appearance of unwanted hair in patterns which can be normal or abnormal. Hypertrichosis can be caused by many things, such as genetics, medications, an excess of certain hormones, tumors, malnutrition, or problems traced to metabolism.
The other cause of unwanted hair growth is called hirsuitism, which applies solely to women. It is classified as the presence of hair in male patterns. For example, women who are hirsuit may have beards and mustaches, or an overabundance of hair over the lower pelvic region. Like hypertrichosis, it can either be inherited or caused by hormones, medications, or tumors.
Likewise, there are many, many ways to remove unwanted hair. Some of these can be done right in the privacy of one.s own home and, before laser hair removal, were some of the only methods to which someone affected with unwanted hair growth could turn. Those methods are also often painful and tedious. Methods such as shaving, plucking, waxing, and depilatory creams can be attempted by the individual. Others, such as electronic and radio-frequency tweezers and electrolysis require the help of a specialist and/or physician. For the most part, these methods offer results which are only temporary. Some creams can slow the growth of hair on the face with women, but only if it used on a long-term basis. As such, laser hair removal is really the only method which offers long-term, permanent relief from unwanted hair growth.