WARNING: The Embarrassing Bodies website contains images of an explicit medical nature and nudity in a medical context.

Embarrassing Bodies, 1:10am Friday 17th February 2012 on Channel 4. Catch up for free on 4oD »

Video

Quick Health Advice: Unwanted Facial Hair

Women who suffer from excessive facial hair (or hirsuitism) can feel extremely self-conscious, but the condition is not uncommon and affects up to 15% of women. In this exclusive guide, Dr Harper discusses the symptoms and causes of this condition, as well as the best treatment options available. Excessive facial hair can be embarrassing, but there are plenty of ways to remove it, either temporarily or on a more permanent basis.

If you’re suffering from any of the conditions featured on this site and want to apply for an onscreen consultation with one of the EB team then you can find more details here >>

Remember that you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.

If you are worried that you child is suffering from excessive hair, read the condition guide especially for parents on Embarrassing Bodies: Kids.

Did you find this useful? YesYes NoNo

871 of 1334 people said they found this useful

Comments and Questions

Older comments

You can share your experiences and thoughts with other Embarrassing Bodies site-users below. Comments & Questions are reviewed by moderators, but if you see anything on the site that worries you, please report it and one of our moderators will look at it as soon as possible.
Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.

hii i just want to ask why my hair fallin a lot when combing thanks

Posted on 9 Feb 2012 20:49 by [No first name supplied]
Reply to this comment Report this as offensive





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

i have hair everywhere like face, stomach, back and i dont know what to do about it. is there any hair removal product that can help me because its really hard to shave my back.

Posted on 29 Jan 2012 14:48 by amy
Reply to this comment Report this as offensive





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

Hi, I'm 16 and unfortunately, I have dark hairs that grow on my chin. Though it's just in the area below my mouth, it takes a massive hit out of my self esteem and I'm not sure at all what it's from or how to get rid of it long enough to make a difference. I've considered that it could be from my mother who tend to get slightly thicker longer hairs sparsely decorated on her chin, but I'd really love to hope I'm not stuck with it.

Asked on 22 Jan 2012 14:47 by Sasha
replies - can you help?
Answer now Report this as offensive





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your answer.


Please don't swear or be rude in your answers, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting answers. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

Questions submitted to the site will be answered by other site users, not by medical professionals, so if you have a medical concern, please book an appointment with your GP.

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

i'm a 21 year old girl and i have hair on my legs, back, face, belly, arms,fingers, toes and neck, anywhere you can think of its there, please help me. i can't live like this no more. I have really bad thourghts about myself please help me, please i'm desperate i dont no what to do anymore.

Posted on 9 Jan 2012 00:45 by salima
Reply to this comment Report this as offensive





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

hi i just turned 20 n i have multiple hair underside ov my chin...which i plucked n they got longer...they arent even dark or man like n i do have some menstrual problem in terms ov a longer cycle ov 35 to 45 days...wat should i do? see a gynaec?

Asked on 20 Dec 2011 00:42 by uzee
replies - can you help?
Answer now Report this as offensive





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your answer.


Please don't swear or be rude in your answers, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting answers. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

Questions submitted to the site will be answered by other site users, not by medical professionals, so if you have a medical concern, please book an appointment with your GP.

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

Hi im in my 20s n have noticed that the hair on my face including my cheeks and neck have started getting longer, fluffier and started going darker. Ive been to the doctors and they say theres nothing wrong with my hormones, however over the months its got worse. Its this the start of hirsuitism and will thet become black and course like mens hair or does this start only by shaving? Please somebody help me i feel i cant live any more!!!!!

Posted on 27 Nov 2011 22:43 by Alex
Reply to this comment Report this as offensive





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

hi, im 20 and suffer from excessive hair all over the body and its dark hair & if i remove the hair different methods it grows back the next day. also i have stretch marks on my legs and have never been pregnant and ive been told im under weight how can i have stretch marks?

Posted on 26 Oct 2011 21:16 by louise
Reply to this comment Report this as offensive





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

Don't feel alone about this, i have had the same problem, i am underweight and have stretch marks. most people have them but choose to hide them with blemish sticks or fake tans etc.. my excessive dark hairs are a real pain to get rid of but you will find they get less and less if you ensure that you exfoliate every time you shower and also dont wax as its particularly painful for darker haired people-don't ask me why but it is. i use shaving gel (unperfumed) and a fresh razor every time. make sure you moisturise afterwards too, it should appear less in few weeks of each growth. hope this helps-remember that important moisture put back into your skin to nourish it.

Posted on 29 Oct 2011 19:13 by emma
In reply to louise Report this as offensive

HI i am a 16 year old girl, i suffer form facial hair around my top lip, and i get extremly self concious about it :/ i am currently in a relationship and i hate stayin places as i dont want my friends/boyfriend to notice i shave it off :( i constantly wear make up so no one can she thats its shaved :( also i hate showing my body as i suffer from a hairy back and a snail trail for my genital area to my belly button and accross my stomach :( i dont like to let my boyfriend see as he is a rugby player and i dont want his friends to know or anything like that :( i feel horrible about it every day and i was wondering how could i talk to my doctor about it and if there is any pills / cream for to get rid of it for life :(also im onthe contraceptive pill if that gives u any ideas at all ?? thankyou very much and please please DOCS get back in touch with me, it would mean everything to me to find out another way to get rid of it:)

Posted on 17 Oct 2011 22:09 by chelsea
Reply to this comment Report this as offensive





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

Hi,I have excess face and body hair, stretch marks on thighs, chest and bust (although haven't been pregnant or had weight gain) and when I get down or tired, I get a shingles type illness. I have suffered from depression in the past and sometimes suffer from fatigue. I have had tests for PCOS and results were negative. I have been prescribed Vaniqa for hair and anti depressants for shingles. The excess hair and ugly stretch marks get me really down. Are there any other tests I could have?

Asked on 26 Sep 2011 21:18 by Louise
replies - can you help?
Answer now Report this as offensive





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your answer.


Please don't swear or be rude in your answers, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting answers. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

Questions submitted to the site will be answered by other site users, not by medical professionals, so if you have a medical concern, please book an appointment with your GP.

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

I have the same problem. My facial hair is growing very quickly and everyday more, specially in my chin. Mines are blond/ginger and very thick so laser does not work on them.I tried electrolisys but is very painful and leave marks plus hairs grow back again. My doctor has prescribed me vaniqa which I been using for more than 3 month morning and night but doesn't work so much. I hate sunny days and direct light cos you can see them even more. Makeup does not cover them as I wish.I don't let anyone touch my face as the hairs are very thick, Is like touching a man's beard. Waxing is very painful and leave my face is all scared. I have 8 pairs of tweezers around the house, my bag and at work and a massive enlarger mirror!!! Feel like a woman like this is very difficult. HELP!

Posted on 23 Nov 2011 22:49 by Esti
In reply to Louise Report this as offensive

This is a good answer

I have brown facial hair and have to regually bleach and wax, It really gets me dowm not only do i have it on my face i have hair everywear.Do you know of any treatments available?

Posted on 10 Aug 2011 08:56 by Tonii
Reply to this comment Report this as offensive





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

Older comments





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.



Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

It looks like no one else has asked this question, so please fill in the rest of your details below.





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your answer.



Please don't swear or be rude in your questions, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting questions. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

Questions submitted to the site will be answered by other site users, not by medical professionals, so if you have a medical concern, please book an appointment with your GP.

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines


More Information

  1. Consultation: Excess Facial Hair

    In Videos - Dr Dawn Harper looks at a patient whose excess facial hair is takin…

  2. Hirsutism

    In Conditions - A condition where a woman grows too much body or facial hair in a p…

  3. Dr Dawn Harper

    In Videos - Find out more about Dr Dawn Harper

  4. Dr Dawn Harper

    Doctor Info - Find out more about Dr Dawn.

  5. Doctor Responses: Excessive Hair

    In Videos - Dr Pixie answers your most frequently asked questions about excessi…

  6. Consultation: Asymmetrical Breasts

    In Videos - Dr Dawn Harper examines a patient with asymmetrical breasts

  7. Dr James Russell

    Doctor Info - Find out more about Dr James Russell.

  8. Dr Priya Manickavasagar

    Doctor Info - Find out more about Dr Priya.

  9. Bodies Behaving Badly

    In Episodes - Episode 1 of Embarrassing Teenage Bodies examines conditions includ…

  10. Problem Piercings

    In Conditions - People have been piercing their bodies for thousands of years, but…

  11. Varicocele

    In Conditions - Varicocele are formed when varicose veins appear around the scrotum.

  12. Vaginal Tearing

    In Conditions - A vaginal tear most commonly occurs during the birth of a baby, whe…

  13. Consultation: Mole Check-Up

    In Videos - Dr Harper examines a patient's moles

  14. Premature Greying

    In Conditions - When hair turns grey at a young age, many years before it would nat…

  15. Scalp Psoriasis

    In Conditions - Psoriasis affects around 3% of the UK’s population and involv…


Be On Embarrassing Bodies

The clinic is opening again for a new series.
Apply for Embarrassing Bodies >

Important Notice

The information provided on this website (including any NHS Choices medical information) is for use as information or for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. We do not warrant that any information included within this site will meet your health or medical requirements. This Embarrassing Bodies site does not provide any medical or diagnostic services so you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.


If you want to embed our videos in your site, read our embedding T&Cs here