Women and Unwanted Hair by M. Sara Rosenthal Ph.D.; (Your Health Press: 2001)

"An excellent resource for women" -Dr. Shajia Khan, an Ottawa endocronolgist

"A wonderful, factual, well-written, long overdue book." -Electrology World 2002 American Electrology Association

Downloadable Press Release (1.45 MB)

Audio
Hear abnormal hair growth expert, Dr. Ricardo Azziz, and Patsy Kirby, Executive Director of the American Electrology Association, discuss unwanted hair growth on the radio show Coping with Hirsutism (Unwanted Hair).
Download the MP3 (12.5 mb)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction: The Book I Wish I Had 20 Years Ago

Chapter 1: The Many Reasons Unwanted Hair Grows
Chapter 2: Roots: What Stimulates Them and What Kills Them
Chapter 3: Putting Your Money to Good Use
Chapter 4: Electrolysis: What You Need to Know
Chapter 5: Laser Hair Removal: What You Need to Know
Chapter 6: Removing Pubic Hair
Chapter 7: Body Image and Unwanted Hair

Bibliography
Glossary of Terms

AUTHOR'S INTRODUCTION FROM THE BOOK
The Many Reasons Unwanted Hair Grows
The term "unwanted hair" refers to hair growth in areas on the body that are considered to be either culturally unacceptable, or unattractive. The color of the unwanted hair is also key; the darker it is, the more visible—which makes it more of a problem for dark haired women than for fair haired women. There is also a distinction between normal hair growth in undesirable areas (meaning, hair that is "supposed to be there") and abnormal hair growth in undesirable areas (meaning, hair that is "not supposed to be there"). Hair on the legs, arms and underarm area, as well as fine hair on the upper lip and around the hairline on the sides of face (the "sideburn" area) may be unwanted and undesirable, but it's perfectly normal. Thick, bushy eyebrows also fall into this category. These hairs will feel coarser if you pluck them or shave them because of the blunt edge a razor leaves. (See chapter 2.)

If you are dark haired, the fine hair on the upper lip or around the hairline may feel "abnormal" but it's not; it's merely visible. Next time you're in the company of a true blonde, you may notice similar hair growth on her upper lip or hairline, but since this fine hair is blonde, it's not visible or stigmatizing. Caucasian women of Mediterranean or European origin (Italian, Greek, Jewish, etc.) are typically "blessed" with healthy hair growth in these areas. In fact in many European countries, women do not remove this hair; it's considered culturally acceptable to do nothing about hair on the legs, forearms, underarms, upper lip, and fine "sideburns." (A few hairs around the nipples after puberty are considered normal, too.)

In ancient India, the thin line of dark hair on the upper abdomen, called the romaraji, was considered a mark of great beauty. And in Mexico, artist Frieda Kahlo frequently painted self-portraits revealing all of her facial and body hair. So, what's important to understand is that there are many versions of "normal."

Excessive hair around the nipples, on the face (commonly around the chin or as an extension of the hairline), and thick body hair on the torso (often an extension of the pubic hair line) or back, or "male-patterned" hair elsewhere on the body is considered to be abnormal hair growth for women, although it is extremely common. Usually hair that grows in these areas has hormonal causes, and is known in clinical circles as "hirsutism" (pronounced her-suit-ism).

WOMEN AND UNWANTED HAIR FAQ
Q. I’ve been feeling a lot of pressure as a woman to remove my pubic hair. Why is pubic hair removal suddenly so “in” and are there any health consequences to removing it?
A. Women are now being influenced by media and lovers to shape and groom their pubic hair to make their genitals more attractive. Popular television programs such as Sex and the City are also helping to advance the cause by sending their characters for Brazilian bikini waxes—which leave just a few symbolic pubic hairs left on the vulva. As for health consequences, it’s important to note that pubic hair is thicker than normal body hair and has a sheen to it; this has a biological purpose—to protect the vulva. Pubic hair protects your vulva from bacterial infections by blocking what can get in. It acts as a necessary safety net. So if you’re removing your pubic hair, you’re more vulnerable to bacterial infections—including urinary tract infections—as well as irritations on the vulva.

One of the most common problems with removing pubic hair is being predisposed to vulvitis, which means “inflammation of the vulva,” characterized by an itchy, red, and swollen vulva, and in extreme cases, may include blistering. Diabetic women are particularly vulnerable to vulvitis because of certain complications of diabetes. Postmenopausal women can develop vulvitis because their tissue in this area becomes less elastic, and thinner and drier, more susceptible to irritation. And scratching only makes it worse.

Pubic hair is a necessary part of your anatomy. So use only a temporary hair removal method in this case, such as shaving or waxing so your hair can grow back. Do not use electrolysis or laser treatment in this delicate area, and avoid any sort of chemical that may be in hair removal or hair minimizing creams.

Q. I’ve been reading a lot about a cream that inhibits hair growth. What is this all about?
A. There are newer creams that have just received FDA clearance to market. These are topical creams for the face, which are said to inhibit facial hair growth in women. Most of these creams were developed for other reasons, and in testing, were found to have alopecia (hair loss) as a side effect. One such cream, Vaniqa, is actually an anti-protozoan drug available by prescription that was originally developed for sleeping sickness. These newer creams are expensive (a 30-gram tube of Vaniqa is $55.59 US; it must be applied twice daily for an indefinite period of time or the hair will come back) and may have other side effects, including: temporary redness, stinging, burning, tingling or rash on areas of the skin where they're applied. Vaniqa is not designed to remove hair, but inhibit hair growth and work as a complementary therapy with your existing hair removal method. That means that if you do decide to try a topical cream like Vaniqa, it's recommended that you continue with whatever hair removal technique you're currently using. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, you should not use Vaniqa as it has not been tested in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Vaniqa should also not be used by girls under 12 years of age.

Q. I’m interested in trying electrology. What kind of credentials should I be looking for in an electrologist?
A. Electrology is licensed in most US states (18 states remain unlicensed), but not in Canada. Right now, if you live in an unlicensed region, ask if your electrologist has the CPE (Certified Professional Electrologist) credential. Canadian electrologists may be similarly certified because the CPE is in fact an international credential granted by the AEA (American Electrology Association); those CPEs who live in Canada would have been required to undergo testing in the United States. The CPE credential indicates that your electrologist has voluntarily met an established norm, and is committed to regular courses of continuing education to maintain Board Certified status. When you're checking credentials in the United States, you may also want to ensure that your electrologist adheres to the AEA's "Infection Control Standards for the Practice of Electrology."