Hypertrichosis

General

Hypertrichosis is a skin disease that causes excessive hair growth in various parts of the body. The causes of hypertrichosis are various. In contrast to, for example, hirsutism, the increased hairiness is not the result of a hormonal disorder and also does not follow the typical hairiness patterns of men. Although the disease is not dangerous, those affected often suffer severely from the psychological point of view.

You can find detailed information on the topic here: Depilation

Types of hypertrichosis

There are a variety of forms of hypertrichosis, each with a different appearance.
Basically one differentiates congenital and acquired hypertrichoses.

Both congenital forms on the one hand there is the circumscribed form, the only a few areas of the body infested.
An example of this are so-called "Becker melanoses". There are some, some of them large Moles with long black hair overgrown.
On the other hand, there are also two diffuse innate forms, so forms that the entire body affect.
With one form, that remains fine hairs present before birth of the child (so-called Lanugo hair), which protects the child from birth and is then rejected, preserved on the arms and legs. Lanugo hair is mostly preserved in premature babies. The hairs are usually very fine and thin.
On the other hand, there is an innate in which the entire body covered with thicker hair is with Except for the soles of the feet and palms. This form is called "Hypertrichosis universalis congenita" designated. However, this form is very rare.

In addition to the congenital forms, there are also several acquired forms of hypertrichosis.
With some Cancers Unusual hairiness occurs as an additional complaint. The doctor speaks of so-called paraneoplastic syndromes.
Also, hypertrichosis can be a Symptom of another disease be. So go some skin diseases such as the Dermatomyositis occasionally associated with increased hair growth.
Also extreme stress can be the cause of hypertrichosis.
At severe forms of anorexia (anorexia) Occasionally, renewed hair with lanugo hairs occurs.

Antibacterial aftershave balms can also help disinfect and soothe the skin. This is especially true after hair removal. One example of this is the Dr. Severin Body After-Shave Balm from the pharmacy.

Also certain Medication can cause hypertrichosis. These drugs include, for example Streptomycin (A certain antibiotic).
Also can Psoralen lead to hypertrichosis. Psoralen is an active ingredient that is used in dermatology against psoriasis and the White spot disease („Vitiligo“) Can be used, usually combined with irradiation with UV light.

The last form is still there ethnic and family differences in the degree of hairiness. As a rule, Mediterranean skin types in particular have denser and thicker hair than northern Europeans, and these in turn have denser and thicker hair than Asians. These differences are particularly noticeable in women, but usually without any disease value.

What to do with hypertrichosis

What can you do now to get rid of the annoying hair?
There is one for that Variety of possibilities, but not all are suitable for all shapes and patients. The methods differ in effort, pain, costs, thoroughness and duration of the effect.
So here's an overview.
First you should be sure that the increased hair growth is not due to a hormonal cause.In this case, the problem can be dealt with causally, i.e. at its root. Otherwise all that remains is to remove the hair.
A distinction is made when it comes to distance short term and long term removal, also the Reduction in hair growth.

The following short term methods for hair removal are possible:

• shave:
  The simplest and cheapest solution is the simple one Shaving off the hair. Contrary to popular belief, this does not promote hair growth or the density of the hair. However, the hair grows back stubbly because it is cut off and therefore does not have a slim tip. The shave must be repeated after three days at the latest.
• epilation:
  This is done in different ways the hair pulled out of the skin. That is fair painful, that's afterwards for at least two weeks Quiet.
  In order to repeat the epilation, however, the hair must have grown back a good bit and very fine hairs are not removed with it. One advantage is that the hair does not grow back stubble. Depending on the type of epilation, the process is differently expensive and differently time-consuming.
  The Epilation with tweezers is cheap, but very time-consuming. Waxing or sugaring is relatively expensive in the long run, but very quickly.
  There is a risk that Ingrown hair and become infected.
  Further information on the subject can be found at Epilation.
• Depilatory creams:
  That is an alternative Depilate with chemical agents, so depilatory creams. It will Hair chemically dissolved. Unlike epilation, this is not painful. It takes a little longer and lasts about as long as epilation. The hair grows back a little bit stubbly, but not as strong as when you shave.
  The chemical substances make the Risk of intolerance, which is why you should first test new products on an inconspicuous area of ​​skin.
  Depilation can be repeated after 2-3 weeks, as the hair must be of a certain length.

As permanent solutions with hypertrichosis there is Electric and needle epilation as well as the Laser treatment. Both are very time consuming and expensive.

• Electroepilation:
  During electroepilation, in every single hair canal a tiny probe introduced and then the Hair roots destroyed by direct or alternating current. That is something painful. This process is relatively old and has therefore also been well tested. However, actually only small areas thus treatable and there is the Risk of scarring and the skin becomes inflamed. Since each hair has to be treated individually is the electroepilation extremely time consuming and only to be carried out by experts.
• Laser epilation:
  The laser epilation takes place with a laser beam. Also this treatment is painful and there are ever five to ten sessions necessary to remove all hair.
  In contrast to electroepilation, however, not every hair needs to be treated individually. Therefore is at larger affected regions the laser treatment of Gold standard.
  A disadvantage is that laser epilation only reliable for light skin and dark hair works. In addition, 3-5% of the patients do not have good success even after six sessions.

Another way to get rid of the annoying hairs associated with hypertrichosis is that Inhibition of hair growth.
This is possible through a certain creamthat the Active ingredient eflornithine contains. This intervenes in cell growth and slows down hair growth considerably. However, the cream must be applied twice a day and the Effect only lasts if the cream is used regularly becomes.
Unfortunately it is The result was only successful in one third of the patients, a further third have only moderate or no effect at all. Occasionally, skin irritation such as acne also occurs.
Overall is eflornithine cream especially for downy hair on the face suitable.

Hypertrichosis or a hormonal disorder?

Besides hypertrichosis there is also Hormonal imbalancesthat become a increased hair, especially in women, to lead.
In the case of hormonal disorders, the so-called Hirsutism, is one for women increased production of actually male sex hormones in front.
Therefore, the actually very fine hair that covers everyone is turned into thicker, so-called Terminal hair transformed. These are then much more noticeable.
Unlike hypertrichosis, however, hirsutism does not affect the whole body or random areas, but rather follows the male hair type. That means, on the face, chest, and pubic area creates a thick hair.
Causes for this increased production of male sex hormones can for example hormone-producing tumors be. But also through certain drugs how Spironolactone or through Doping agents such a hormonal imbalance can be caused. Occasionally it also happens to Hormonal imbalances in postmenopausal women.

If a hormone disorder is the cause of the increased hair growth, the The cause of the problem is often treated with medication become. So-called antiandrogens are used for this, which are also found in the birth control pills occurrence.

You can find more information on this topic at Hirsutism.