Does Thyroid Disorder Cause Unwanted Hair Growth in Women?

Table Of Contents

How Does Thyroid Cause Unwanted Hair Growth?

How to Remove Unwanted Hair Growth Caused Due to Thyroid?

Have you ever wondered why you have unwanted hair in certain body areas? Can your thyroid gland be causing excessive hair growth on your face? Let’s find out 

In this blog, we will discuss whether thyroid gland or disorders cause unwanted hair growth and the possible treatment options for it. 

It’s normal for women to have hair on their armpits, underarms, bikini region, and legs. But, when dark or thick hair grows in other places of the body, such as the face or chest, especially in male pattern distribution, this might indicate hirsutism. Unwanted hair growth can be frustrating and embarrassing for many women, affecting self-esteem and confidence. 

Understanding the underlying cause of unwanted hair growth is crucial in finding the right treatment and management plan. With the right approach, it is possible to reduce or even eliminate unwanted hair growth and regain your confidence.

One possible culprit for excessive facial hair  is your thyroid gland.

How Does Thyroid Cause Unwanted Hair Growth?

Let’s understand how thyroid disorders cause unwanted hair growth.

Many ladies are unaware of the cause of their unwanted hair growth, and most of them do not share the issue with their doctors because they believe it is due to stress or heredity. 

Thyroid function may be an essential factor in your excessive hair growth. The thyroid is a small but mighty gland in your neck that regulates metabolism and many other important bodily functions.

When the thyroid is not functioning properly, it can cause several symptoms, one of which is unwanted hair growth in women. Specifically, when the thyroid is overactive, a condition known as hyperthyroidism, it can increase levels of androgens, or male hormones, in the body. Androgens are unwanted hair girth reasons, so an increase in their levels can lead to increased hair growth, including excessive hair growth.

How to Remove Unwanted Hair Growth Caused Due to Thyroid?

In the previous section, we discussed how thyroid disorders cause unwanted hair growth. Now we will focus on the treatment options.

A doctor might recommend several therapies to help with a thyroid or hormonal problem. Although anti-thyroid medications will not remove existing hair, they may help to eliminate new hair from sprouting. Once the thyroid problem has been treated, the growth of new hair will reduce. Here are a few treatment options to stop unwanted hair growth in women.

• Treating Underlying Conditions

If the unwanted hair growth is caused by hyperthyroidism, treatment will typically focus on managing it. Some medicines may include antithyroid drugs, beta-blockers, or radioactive iodine therapy, and these medications prevent further hair growth.

In certain cases, surgery may be required to remove all or part of the thyroid gland (thyroidectomy) to treat hyperthyroidism (one of the common unwanted hair girth reasons).

If the unwanted hair growth is caused by hypothyroidism, treatment will typically involve hormone replacement therapy to restore thyroid hormone levels.

• Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is a popular cosmetic procedure that uses laser energy to destroy hair follicles, which reduces hair growth. It’s a non-invasive and relatively painless procedure that removes unwanted hair on various body parts, including the face, legs, arms, underarms, and bikini.

The procedure is most effective for people with dark hair and fair skin, as the laser energy is absorbed best by the dark pigment in the hair.

• Other Unwanted Hair Removal Methods

Some other common unwanted hair removal methods may include waxing, threading, shaving, tweezing, creaming, and bleaching. While these approaches may appear acceptable in the short term, none are long-lasting. 

These are time-consuming, expensive methods and will not provide significant results. The fact that these procedures are popular, does not imply that they are successful. Hair usually grows back quickly after treatments are done.

Consult a professional and expert dermatologist to get more details on how to cure unwanted hair growth.

• Electrolysis

Electrolysis is the only FDA-approved hair removal technique that works with any hair type or colour. It’s a permanent hair removal solution and is often used to remove hair on the face, chin, and upper lip. 

During the procedure, a fine needle is inserted into the hair follicle, and a small electrical current is applied through the needle to destroy the hair follicle. The process is done on a small area at a time and can be slightly uncomfortable, but it is generally well-tolerated.

Please remember that none of the methods described above, including electrolysis, can remove or cure an underlying hormonal problem.

If you have any medical issues, discuss them with your dermatologist before using any unwanted hair removal methods to determine which hair removal method is the best for you and to ensure that it is safe to use. The dermatologist will guide you on how to cure unwanted hair growth.

Wrapping Up!

The above blog will help you answer your question: Does thyroid cause unwanted hair growth? The overactive thyroid is the main culprit for unwanted hair growth in women. However, it is important to note that not all thyroid conditions will cause unwanted hair growth and that other factors, such as genetics, age, and overall health, can also play a role. 

The best way to address unwanted hair growth caused by the thyroid is to treat the underlying thyroid condition with the help of a qualified dermatologist.

Our expert dermatologists at Clear Skin Clinics, Pune, will determine the best hair removal solution for you and ensure that these methods are safe to use with any medications you may take for your thyroid condition. Do give us a visit today!