Page 25 - Cosmopolitan - UK (April 2020)

g l ow

Let’s be clear: there is nothing

wrong with facial hair, we all have
facial hair it. But if you’re a little paranoid
(by someone
who’s tried it all)

about the “peach fuzz”, there are

a lot of options out there – and I

should know. As a beauty director

with a stubbornly hairy face (and

W ords VICT ORIA JO WETT no, I’m not embarrassed to admit

it), I’ve learned a few things over

my years of tweezing, waxing and,

yes, lasering, which I’m going to

pass on to you right now…

WHAT CAUSES IT?
First things first, facial hair comes in all shapes, sizes, colours
and densities. From the super-fine fuzz on your cheeks to the
darker fluff that forms along your hairline and sideburns. Not
forgetting the thicker, coarser, prickly hairs that can crop up
around your chin and neck causing mass panic when faced
with a hotel magnifying mirror. Before you start de-furring, it’s
important to consider what’s causing it, so I quizzed a leading
expert, Dr Stefanie Williams – a dermatologist and medical
director at specialist skin clinic Eudelo – to find out what the
most common causes of excess facial hair are. Listen up.

Ethnicity & Cushing’s Hormonal
genetics disease imbalance
“Sometimes, it simply “Although very “Both men and
runs in families or uncommon, another women have male
certain ethnicities,” reason for excess hormones. However,
explains Dr Williams. facial hair may be in women, if the
“Women of Cushing’s disease balance between
Mediterranean, South (this is where the [male and female]
Asian and Middle body over-produces hormones becomes
Eastern heritage, for the hormone cortisol) disturbed, the
example, may be or other adrenal consequence can
more likely to have gland disorders.” be an increase in
an excess of facial If you’re concerned, facial hair,” says Dr
hair.” That being book an appointment Williams. Which is
said, it’s still worth with your GP who why women who
seeing your GP in can give you a blood suffer with polycystic
case there are other test and diagnose ovary syndrome are
underlying causes. any symptoms. more prone to it. ›

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