Hypertrichosis (Excess Hair Everywhere) vs Hirsutism (Hormone-Driven Hair)

You know you’re in a hairy situation… but what kind?

When you’re starting with just the symptom (so much hair, everywhere), it can be tricky to figure out the underlying WHY. Chances are, you may be experiencing hypertrichosis (generalized excessive hair growth) and/or hirsutism (hormone-driven, male-pattern hair growth in women.)

Understanding which can help you get to the bottom of the issue and get your extreme hairiness under control.

Learn more about the difference between hypertrichosis and hirsutism, along with causes and treatment options.

Hypertrichosis vs Hirsutism

Hypertrichosis and hirsutism are often mistaken for one another, but they are not interchangeable. Hirsutism is a type of hypertrichosis exclusive to women and children, resulting in excessive hair growth in androgen-dependent sites.

What is Hypertrichosis?

Hypertrichosis is the fancy medical term for excessive, abnormal hair growth anywhere on the body. It may be localized (restricted to a certain area) or generalized (covering the entire body) and can affect males and females. In very rare cases, hypertrichosis can be congenital, or present from birth.

Congenital terminal hypertrichosis is the most extreme type of hypertrichosis and occurs when dark, thick hair covers the entire body. This condition is sometimes referred to as “werewolf syndrome.” People with this condition have been circus sideshow performers due to their unusual appearance.

More often, hypertrichosis develops later in life due to hormonal imbalances, certain medications, cancer, malnutrition, or other factors. In some cases, addressing the underlying condition can mitigate hypertrichosis. Short- and long-term hair removal methods can also help manage excessive hair growth.

What is Hirsutism?

Hirsutism refers to excessive hair growth in androgen-dependent sites. It’s a condition that’s exclusive to women and children, occurring when they exhibit patterns of adult male hair growth on the chest, back, and face.

Hirsutism may be congenital (present at birth) or acquired. Its primary cause is an increase in androgen (male hormone) levels. As such, it’s also often associated with acne, deepening of the voice, and irregular menstrual periods.

Hirsutism is one of the most common side effects of PCOS. Treatment typically involves medications that reduce or balance androgen levels such as hormonal birth control pills, as well as short- or long-term hair removal methods to manage excess hair.

Key Differences Between Hypertrichosis and Hirsutism

• Hair location – Hypertrichosis may occur all over the entire body or in one isolated area. By definition, hirsutism only occurs in androgen-dependent sites like the chest, back, and face.

• Who can have it – Hypertrichosis can happen to anyone. Hirsutism only occurs in women and sometimes in children.

• Underlying causes – Hormones might be at play in either case, but hirsutism is always related to androgen levels.

• Classification – Hirsutism is a specific type of hypertrichosis – if it's hirsutism, it's also hypertrichosis. Hypertrichosis is not necessarily hirsutism – you can have hypertrichosis without it being hirsutism.

How Do I Know Which One I Have?

When you know, you know. If you’re experiencing excessive hair growth anywhere on the body, that’s technically hypertrichosis. 

If you’ve been diagnosed with PCOS and/or are aware of a hormone imbalance, your specific type of hypertrichosis may be hirsutism.

To diagnose what type of hypertrichosis you’re experiencing & the underlying cause, consult your physician.

How to Manage Excessive Hypertrichosis or Hirsutism Hair Growth

Whether you're dealing with hirsutism or a different form of hypertrichosis, you have multiple safe and effective options to manage unwanted hair growth – without causing skin irritation or breaking the bank.

First and foremost, we recommend getting to the root of the problem. Excessive hair growth is often a hard-to-ignore sign that something else is going on. Consult your physician to find out if your hypertrichosis is related to the medication you're taking, PCOS, a hormonal imbalance, or other factors. They may prescribe medication to address the underlying factors – and in turn, your hairy symptoms.

Then, turn to hair management and removal. You've got your classic short-term hair removal methods – shaving, depilatory creams, waxing, etc. But they don't always cut it when it comes to excessive, bearded-lady-style hair growth. 

Permanent hair removal methods get rid of unwanted body hair caused by hypertrichosis/hirsutism for good. Laser hair removal and electrolysis are two widely-known methods that provide excellent results, but it can take a year or more to see full results and full treatment costs thousands of dollars.

If you're interested in getting rid of excessive hair growth for good and don't have a cool $5k+ to spend on it, look into Lumi. Lumi is an at-home IPL hair removal handset that's FDA-cleared for safe, effective use. It provides permanent hair removal in just 6-12 weeks, and it even works on excessive body and facial hair caused by hypertrichosis or hirsutism. 

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Does the RoseSkinCo IPL Handset Work for PCOS?

At-Home Laser Hair Removal vs Alternatives

When to Seek Medical Treatment

If you’ve noticed excessive hair growth and suspect you might be experiencing hypertrichosis or hirsutism, seek medical treatment. While excessive hair alone is harmless, it may be a symptom of a more serious underlying condition.