How to Stop Hair Growth on Stomach and Chest
Having hair on your breasts is quite common. Some women have some hair on the stomach and chest area as well. Normally, the hair is not as thick, lighter in color and is barely noticeable. However, if you notice thick, darker hair on the stomach area, it could be due to an underlying medical condition. Hormonal imbalances often lead to a condition known as Hirsutism.
So, the question is how to stop hair growth on stomach and chest? The method you can use to stop hair grown on your chest and stomach area entirely depends on the cause. If the growth is due to a medical condition, finding the right treatment can slow down the growth. On the other hand, if the hair growth is genetic, you can opt for one of the many hair removal methods.
What Is Hirsutism?
Hirsutism is a medical condition that affects about five to ten percent of the female population. If you have hirsutism, you will notice hair growth in areas where men normally have more hair. This includes the chin, upper lips, and chest and stomach area.
However, there is a fine line between genetic hair growth around the stomach and chest area and hirsutism. Hair growth due to this condition is thick and dark. If you have light, barely noticeable fuzz around the chest and stomach area, it is probably just genetics.
Causes of Hirsutism
There are many reasons women may develop hirsutism. It could run in the family or it may be due to an underlying medical condition. At times, certain types of medicines trigger this condition. Let us look at the causes of Hirsutism in detail:
Genetic Condition
If anyone in your family has hirsutism, then chances are you could develop it too. Moreover, hirsutism is more common for women in the Middle East and Mediterranean. However, it is not necessary that you will get hirsutism if it runs in the family.
Hormonal Imbalance
In most cases, hormonal imbalance or high levels of androgen cause hirsutism. Androgens are the “male” hormones produced naturally in females at moderate levels. However, due to an imbalance the body begins producing excess amount of this hormone, resulting in excess hair growth.
If other symptoms follow the chest and stomach hair growth, you could have hormonal imbalance. There are a few symptoms that you need to watch out for along with hair growth. These symptoms coupled with the hair could point towards hormonal imbalance:
- Acne
- Deep voice
- Small Breasts
- Irregular menstruation
- Hair Loss
Many medical conditions could result in a hormonal imbalance in women. Here are a few common medical conditions that you could be suffering from:
- PCOS or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
- Cushing’s Syndrome
- Tumors in Adrenaline Glands or Ovaries
How to Stop Hair Growth on Stomach and Chest Due to Hormonal Imbalance
You need to understand that not all forms of hirsutism are treatable. If you have it due to genetic reasons, then you can only manage the symptom with medicines and other treatments. On the other hand, treatments are available if hormonal imbalance causes hirsutism:
Diagnosis and Treatment
You should never start self-medicating without a proper diagnosis. This is because treating hormonal imbalance requires inducing hormones in your body. Therefore, always consult a doctor for proper treatment. The doctor will test the hormone levels in your body and then prescribe a proper treatment.
- If your body is producing androgens in excess, contraceptive pills could reverse the effects. Contraceptive pills contain estrogen and progestin, which can treat hirsutism if it’s caused by androgens.
- Contraceptives are only part of the solution. At times, your doctor may prescribe anti-androgens six months after the contraceptive treatment. In some cases, the contraceptive treatment may not be enough and anti-androgens may be necessary
- You can even talk to your doctor about eflornithine cream. This cream will not get rid of the existing hair, but it will definitely stop growth of new hair
How to Get Rid Of Hair on Stomach and Chest
Most women have a light fuzzy hair on the chest and stomach area. However, your hair on your chest and stomach area may grow darker and you may think it’s more visible. Due to aesthetic reasons, many women prefer to remove it. But what are the best options to stop hair growth on stomach and chest?
You should keep in mind no hair removal method is permanent except for electrolysis. Laser removal and IPL can remove the hair, but often need to be repeated for lasting results. Unfortunately, these methods are very expensive and painful. However, you can opt for other hair removal methods:
Waxing
Waxing is one of the most common methods of removing hair on the chest and stomach area. It removes hair at the roots and the results can last up to three weeks. However, you need to let the hair grow out before you can have it properly waxed. The chest and stomach hair should be at least an eighth of an inch long for a successful session.
Shaving
Shaving is a convenient option. You can shave your chest and stomach area at home with ease. However, there is a chance of ingrown hair, which could lead to an infection. Therefore, if you prefer shaving to waxing, then you should consider exfoliating afterwards. This prevents the hair from growing inwards and keeps the follicles wide so that their can slide out.
Plucking
Although it is not recommended, many women choose to pluck hair on their chest and stomach.
Conclusion
Having a little fuzz on the chest and stomach area should not really concern you. Nevertheless, if the hair is darker, then it could mean that you have Hirsutism. If you are wondering how to stop hair growth on stomach and chest, you should now the reason you have hair. You can only stop hair growth due to hormonal imbalance with proper treatment. On the other hand, you can use one of the mentioned hair removal methods for naturally occurring hair.