Hirsutism
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What is Hirsutism or Excessive Hair Growth?
Hirsutism is a condition characterized by excessive hair growth in women in areas where men typically grow hair, such as the face, chest, and back. The excess hair growth is often coarse and dark. This can cause embarrassment and affect self confidence.
What are the causes of excessive hair growth?
There are many different factors that can excessive hair growth or hirsutism. These include:
- Hormonal imbalances – This includes things such as elevated levels of androgens (male hormones like testosterone), and adrenal gland disorders.
- Certain medications – such a cortico-steroids, anti-epileptic or anti-psychotic medications can increase hair growth.
- Genetics – Some individuals are more genetically predisposed to developing excessive hair growth.
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome – This is the most common cause of hirsutism in women resulting in excess production of androgens.
- Thyroid disease – These can result in hormonal imbalances resulting in excessive hair growth.
What are the treatments for hirsutism?
There are many different treatments for excessive hair growth or hirsutism. These will depend on the underlying cause of the hair growth. The options may include:
- Hormonal medications – such as oral contraceptives or anti-androgens to regulate hormone levels.
- Topical treatments – such as hair removal creams.
- Shaving – can reduce unwanted hair in areas but hair will regrow and can sometimes cause issues such as ingrown hairs.
- Waxing – can remove unwanted hair but this is a temporary solution since hair will regrow.
- Electrolysis – can help manage unwanted hair although this requires individual treatment of follicles which can be very time consuming and may not be as effective as other options.
- Laser hair removal – when comes to hirsutism Manchester & Cheshire patients will find this is a very effective method of permanent hair reduction. At CLNQ we offer the Cynosure Elite Laser IQ for laser hair removal.
Treating hirsutism at CLNQ, and what it costs
Hirsutism is coarse, dark hair growing in a male pattern — face, chest, back, abdomen — in women. It is different from generally having more body hair than average, which is usually just genetics. The distinction matters because hirsutism often has a hormonal cause worth identifying.
| Option | Price |
|---|---|
| Female hormone profile | £200 |
| Doctor consultation | £100 |
| Laser hair removal — small area | £29, or £125 for six |
| Laser hair removal — medium area | £34, or £195 for six |
| Laser hair removal — large area | £88, or £395 for six |
| Test patch | £50 |
Get the bloods first. Polycystic ovary syndrome is by far the commonest cause, and there are less common ones — thyroid disease, adrenal conditions, and certain medications. Treating the hair without asking why it is there means you keep treating it forever, and you may miss something that matters for your wider health. A hormone profile is £200 and answers the question.
Laser works well on coarse, dark hair, which is exactly what hirsutism produces. Our platform includes a wavelength suited to darker skin types, so skin tone is rarely a barrier. Expect eight to ten sessions rather than the six advertised for ordinary hair reduction — hormonally driven hair regrows more persistently, and most patients need occasional maintenance afterwards.
Where a hormonal cause is found and treated, the hair response to laser improves noticeably. The two work together.
Related Treatments
Medically reviewed by
Dr Kajal Babamiri
GP with Specialist Interest in Dermatology — GMC No. 6132231
Dr Babamiri is a co-founder of CLNQ and leads the clinic’s non-surgical, skin and longevity practice. She is a key opinion leader in aesthetic medicine, appears as a doctor on Olivia Attwood’s Price of Perfection and Channel 4’s Surgery Secrets of the Super Rich, and has been featured in Glamour, the Daily Mail and Gulf News. She consults in Manchester, Knutsford and Wilmslow.
Last medically reviewed: 27 September 2026. This page is for information only and does not replace an individual consultation.
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