Hair and Horror-mones: How to Get Rid of Unwanted Hormonal Hair.

Author: Ilse Prinsen

Hair and Horror-mones: How to Get Rid of Unwanted Hormonal Hair.

Ever wondered why your hair seems to have a plan of its own?

Posted: February 27, 2025 (3 min read, views: 218)

Ever wondered why your hair seems to have a plan of its own? Blame hormones—those tiny chemical messengers that dictate everything… from those daily mood swings to your hairline. 

THE SCIENCE OF HAIR GROWTH (AND WHY IT’S UNFAIR)

Did you know, hormones are the number one cause of hair growth in both men and women? Everybody’s hair is at the mercy of two main hormonal players in their body:

  • Estrogens (the “slow and steady” type) – They keep hair in its growth phase longer. Estrogens are at higher levels in women’s bodies, which is why women often have fuller, longer hair. Sorry, men—it’s not you, it’s us!
  • Androgens (the “speed things up” type) – These guys accelerate the hair cycle. More androgens? More hair… just not always in the places you’d prefer. And here it’s the opposite—women, on average, produce androgens in quantities 20 times lower than men.

While both men and women have these hormones, the levels differ, and the balance shifts over time, especially during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. I hear you thinking, why can’t we just skip a phase of horror-monal times? We simply just can’t, we just can learn how to deal with it.

WHY DOES HAIR SHOW UP UNINVITED?

Unwanted hair is a personal matter for both men and women—everyone has their own preferences. Some love a hairy chest on a man, others embrace a unibrow on a woman. Our uniqueness is what makes us us. But sometimes, hair shows up uninvited—especially for women—thanks to hormonal imbalances that trigger unexpected growth (hello, chin hairs!). This can be caused by:

  • PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) – The biggest culprit behind excessive hair growth in women. PCOS causes an imbalance in hormone levels, leading to higher-than-normal androgen production. While androgens play a role in overall health, excess amounts can trigger thicker, darker hair growth in areas typically associated with male hair patterns—like the face, chest, and back.
  • Cushing’s Syndrome – Cushing’s syndrome is a hormonal disorder that can affect many things in the body—including hair growth.
  • Medications – Some treatments can push hormones out of whack.
  • Genetics – Simply said, if your grandma had a killer mustache, you might be next in line.
  • Menopause – Menopause shifts the balance, leading to thinning hair on your head but extra hair on your face (because life is unfair like that).
  • Pregnancy – Can give you thicker, fuller hair—until postpartum shedding kicks in, and suddenly, it’s all falling out. 

SO, WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Dealing with unwanted hair caused by hormonal imbalances can be frustrating, but believe me, you’re not alone! Whether it’s due to PCOS, menopause, Cushing’s Syndrome, or just your genetic lottery, understanding the root cause is the first step to taking control. While temporary solutions like shaving, waxing, or plucking can help in the short term, electrolysis is permanent hair removal: it destroys each treated follicle’s growth center, so those hairs don’t grow back. It works on all hair colors and skin tones. So, if you’re tired of the endless battle with horror-monal stubborn hairs, it could be worth a try. 😉

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