Why Does PCOS Cause Excessive Facial Hair Growth?

As you’re perhaps waaaay too aware, excessive facial hair is a common symptom of PCOS. If you feel self-conscious or embarrassed due to excessive facial hair caused by PCOS, know that you’re not alone, and there is something you can do about it. 

We’ll go deeper into why PCOS causes excessive facial hair growth, also known as hirsutism, along with long-term, affordable, gentle solutions for PCOS hair removal.

Why PCOS Causes Facial Hair

PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) occurs when your ovaries create excess hormones called androgens. This causes your reproductive hormones to become unbalanced, often resulting in irregular periods and ovulation. But it can affect your body in other ways, too. 

Androgens are present in all women in small amounts, but they’re typically regarded as a male hormone. Androgens are responsible for typically-masculine characteristics such as a deeper voice, higher bone density, muscle development, and… facial hair. Your hair follicles' sensitivity to those androgens depends on genetic factors.

TL;DR: PCOS happens when your ovaries produce unusually high levels of androgens, and androgens can cause excessive hair growth. In fact, they often do: hirsutism affects up to 70% of people with PCOS.

Common Areas of Facial Hair Growth Associated with PCOS

Excessive PCOS hair growth can crop up as excess facial hair, heavier body hair, or both.

The chin and upper lip/mustache area are the most common areas of PCOS facial hair growth, but you might also notice it on the beard area (jawline, cheeks, neck, etc.) Aside from facial hair, the most common PCOS-related hair growth is found on the chest, abdomen, back, and inner thighs.

PCOS Facial Hair Management Strategies

Most solutions fall into one of two categories: cosmetic facial hair removal or hormonal treatment. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine recommends pairing cosmetic hair removal with medical therapy in order to be successful.

Related: How to Get Rid of PCOS-Related Facial Hair For Good

Hair Removal Methods

When it comes to getting rid of PCOS-related facial hair, you can choose to remove it whenever it grows back or treat it with a method that stops it from growing back in the first place.

Long-term methods

These methods provide a long-term, permanent reduction in PCOS-related facial hair.

• Laser Hair Removal – Laser hair removal takes 4-10 professional sessions, up to 12 months, and a significant chunk of change (expect to pay well over $1000 total for a single area) to see full results, but the results can be glorious, especially on PCOS-related facial hair.

• Electrolysis – Like laser, electrolysis involves a significant investment upfront – 10-15 professional sessions, up to 18 months, and thousands of dollars to see full results, but the results are permanent. Some experts say electrolysis is the most effective permanent hair removal method of them all.

• #1 At-Home Permanent Hair Removal Method: IPL – IPL devices use intense pulsed light technology to target unwanted facial hair and weaken it with light pulses. After 6-12 treatment sessions over 6-12 weeks, it can remove facial hair permanently. At-home IPL devices like Lumi are pain-free, FDA-cleared, easy to use, and ideally suited for getting rid of excessive facial hair growth caused by PCOS.

Here are a few Lumi reviews from real customers who have struggled with PCOS facial hair:

“LUMI is LUMI-nating my year! I tried Lumi for the first time ever this year and LET ME TELL YOU - It was life-changing. As a PCOS girly who's been struggling with facial hair and also being a hairy girl naturally (LOL), this made my coarse hair more sparse and it doesn't grow overnight anymore!!

This is a blessing and I am so GLAD this kind of technology exists! WAYYY more affordable than going to laser hair removal clinics AND no need to feel uncomfortable showing all my hair to people. I love using Lumi in the comfort of my own home! Definitely recommend!!” – MJ A.

“It actually works! Having lived with PCOS for many years I have tried several of these devices in the past which have never worked. I was thinking of getting laser hair removal again but saw this and decided to give a device another go before parting with a lot of money. I am so pleased that it works and have seen significant reduction along with less time spent removing hair.” – Hannah C

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Related: Does the RoseSkinCo IPL Handset Work for PCOS?

Short-term methods

These methods don’t provide a long-term, permanent reduction in PCOS-related facial hair. Rather, they remove hair at the root or at the surface of the skin. Hair may grow back softer and less coarse over time depending on the method you choose, but it always grows back.

• Epilating – An epilator is a mechanical device that grabs on to hairs with small tweezers or coils and yanks them out by the root – think of it as a tweezer x 100. Results typically last 3-4 weeks.

• Threading – Threading is an age-old technique that involves pulling hairs out with cotton threads. It’s notoriously hard to DIY, but it’s a relatively inexpensive service. Results typically last 3-4 weeks.

• Waxing – Waxing involves using a sticky substance to pull hairs out at the root. You can visit a professional or brave the DIY route. Results typically last 3-4 weeks. 

• Tweezing – This route takes a lot of patience, but it works. Tweezing involves pulling individual hairs out one by one. It might be a good way to go if you’re targeting a very small area, or as a clean-up after a different method, but it’s not the most efficient way to go to remove excessive facial hair.

• Shaving – It’s the devil you know! Shaving does the trick for PCOS-related facial hair, but it doesn’t last long – you might notice your facial hair growing back the very next day.

• Hair removal creams – Also known as depilatory creams, these use chemicals to remove hair just under the surface of the skin. Results don’t last long, and the chemicals used can be irritating for delicate facial skin.

Hormonal Treatments

These methods work to balance or suppress the hormones that often lead to excessive facial hair growth.

• Birth control pills – This is the most common hormonal treatment for hirsutism and likely the very first route your doctor might suggest. Oral contraceptives prevent ovulation and thus protect against unwanted pregnancies, but they also decrease the production of androgens which slows excessive hair growth.
• Anti-androgenic medications – Spironolactone is another common prescription medication that can treat hirsutism in women by blocking the effects of androgens in hair follicles. It’s often prescribed in combination with birth control. Other anti-androgenic medications include flutamide and finasteride. (Note that these medications are not FDA-approved for the treatment of hirsutism in women, but they are often prescribed off-label. Ask your doctor for their recommendation.)
• Steroid medications – Steroids may be prescribed at low doses to treat hirsutism. 
• GnRH analogs – A GnRH analog medication can treat hirsutism by suppressing ovarian androgens. It’s often administered alongside estrogen and/or progestin pills.

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