Tag Archives: Hirsutism

True Tales from the Electrology Treatment Room

1 Mar

Today, a new client came in. She’s young, she’s very attractive, and she’s so very thrilled there is a solution to what she feels is a horrible problem. You see, she almost has a whole face beard. If comparing to the Ferriman-Gallwey rating scale, she’s a 3.  (0=no visible hair; 4=full face terminal hair)  It’s bad enough that she gets worried someone will see this hair. She’s afraid of intimacy because of what a guy might think about her if she reveals the fact she has to shave beard-like hairs every day. She’s afraid her friends might see the shadow that appears by 5 o’clock. She’s afraid that someone at work will say something about the hair on her face. She cries because it is so personal and so painful.

She cried in my office because she is so happy to see the solution to her problem. 

A consultation in my office includes a short, sample treatment so one can see how it feels and how their skin reacts. She says, “Is that all it is?  I can do that.” We discuss the plan and she says, “Yes.”

It’s about hope. It’s about confidence. It’s about permanent hair removal. Electrology treatments have performed permanently for any hair color and any skin tone since its inception, circa 1870s.

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Electrolysis Saved My Life

15 Mar

Electrolysis Saved My Life

Client was tweezing her chin every day. The “acne” on her chin had been treated with every known pharmaceutical and OTC available. Her dermatologist was at a loss. She “heard” about electroepilation (electrolysis, thermolysis, blend) and decided to give it a try. A zap here, a zap there, AND instructions to stop all tweezing. One year later the skin on her chin is smooth and “acne” free. She says I saved her life. ~ Barbara Greathouse, CPE, Licensed Electrologist

Is it time to call the doctor?

26 Mar

Every human is born with millions of hair follicles on their body.  Fortunately most of those hair follicles won’t grow “noticeable” hair, and unfortunately some of those millions of follicles will grow larger and longer hairs in the wrong area.

All hair growth is affected by your genetics, your health, and your hormones.  In some cases it is wise to seek medical intervention for excess hair.

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine provides A Guide for Patients with Hirsutism and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.  This guide describes the androgen sensitive sites for hair growth and lists the following causes of hirsutism.

  • Excessive production of androgens by the ovaries (PCOS: Poly-Cystic Ovarian Syndrome, tumor)
  • Excessive sensitivity of hair follicles to androgens (genetic)
  • Excessive production of androgens by the adrenal glands (NCAH: Non-Classic Adrenal Hyperplasia, tumor)
  • Insulin Resistance (HAIR-AN Syndrome:  Hyperandrogenism, Insulin Resistance, Acanthosis Nigricans)
  • Excessive production of cortisol by the adrenal glands (Cushing’s Syndrome)
  • Menopause
  • Medications

The following pictures are representative of the Ferriman-Gallwey score – a method of quantifying and evaluating hirsutism in women.  

Most women will notice hair growth on their face begin with a few scattered hairs on each side of their chin and a few at the corners of the mouth.  If the hair growth progresses, it will follow the pattern you see above until there is a male-pattern growth on the face.

For more information, click to read Evaluation and Treatment of Hirsutism in Premenopausal Women:  An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline.  

When is it time for a woman to call the doctor when she has unwanted hair growth?

1.  When your hair growth comes on fast.

2.  If you have an apple shaped body.

3.  If you have menstrual irregularity or infertility.

4.  If you begin to notice a darkening of your skin in the folds of your neck or underarms.

5.  When you notice masculine changes in your body such as an enlargement of your clitoris or a deepening of your voice.