Hormones— How do they affect hair growth?

by Kimberly Westwood, CPE, CCE

Good, proven electrology methods permanently remove facial and body hair. But what about (female) hormones—what effects do they have on diminishing the growth of facial and body hair?

There is, unfortunately, no simple answer. So, let's first look at some of the jobs that hormones perform.

Hormones are biochemical compounds that affect the functions of specifically receptive organs or tissues when transported to them by the body fluids. Well, put another way, hormones are chemical triggers that make certain things happen to the body—and in certain ways. The chemical dehydrotestosterone (DHT), a converted male hormone, triggers sexual type hair growth such as that found in the beard and chest area. DHT also plays an important role in male pattern baldness.

DHT causes hairs (actually, hair follicles) in these sexually-based areas (like the beard area) to develop from a "peach fuzz" type into coarse, deeply rooted, mature hairs. So, then do female hormones reverse the process?

No, "sexual type" hair continues to grow despite the presence of female hormones. Keep in mind that hormones are just triggers that make certain things happen within the body. DHT caused those "peach fuzz" hairs to grow and change into something else. The structure and the continued growth of these mature hair follicles remain unless they are now, somehow, destroyed. One's beard will remain and continue to grow even with the use of female hormones. And that's where electrolysis enters the picture.  Electrolysis is the treatment method by which these unwanted hair follicles are permanently removed (destroyed).

But, the picture is not entirely bleak. Female hormones and associated drugs known as anti-androgens slow the beard's development so new hairs do not form as readily. These hormones also have an effect on diminishing other types of hair found on the body. This hair type, known as ambosexual, is mainly found on the arms and legs. Over a period of years, much of this hair thins out. So, those of us who want to be hair-free need only concentrate electrolysis treatment in select areas of the body.

And here's some good news for those who are suffering from male pattern baldness.  Many times one's scalp hair returns because of female hormones!

I personally observed this quite a few times. I have noticed that scalp hair fully returns in about half of those people who have thinning hair. Without hormonal intervention, the scalp hair on these individuals is still there, but of an extremely small diameter, and slow growing. And quite often when the DHT is blocked/lessened by female hormones and anti-androgens, one's scalp hair returns! However, this re-thickening process may take several years. For those who have more serious baldness, such a Hippocratic baldness (just the little ridge of hair around the sides of the head), hormone therapy, unfortunately, does little at this stage.

Before anyone considers estrogens just for hair loss—remember, female hormones are not the same as Rogaine (hair treatment), and hormone therapy can produce wide-sweeping effects on the body. So, practice being a good health care "consumer" and understand all of the facts surrounding this medical therapy.