Hirsutism: Understanding facial hair in women

Hirsutism: Understanding facial hair in women (Photo: iStock)

The beauty conversation rarely touches on a quiet struggle many women face, the appearance of coarse, dark hair in traditionally male growth areas such as the chin, jawline and upper lip.

What hirsutism looks like:

In women with deeper skin tones, facial hair tends to be coarse, thick and heavily pigmented. It typically appears on the upper lip, chin and cheeks, and can sometimes extend from the jawline down to the neck. As the hair is darker, it creates a visible 'shadow' against the skin, even after shaving.