PICTURE the scene… you’re staring into the mirror when, bam, you spot it: a rogue hair protruding from your chin.
It feels like your new friend has appeared from nowhere, seemingly overnight.
GettyUnwanted hair could be a sign of hormonal imbalance[/caption]
And, it might not stop at your chin.
These pesky hairs can appear suddenly on other parts of your body you don’t want or expect them to, like the side of your face, nose, neck, and even your nipple.
But fear not; you are not alone.
“Rogue chin hairs are frustrating, but the odd few can be perfectly normal,” explains Dr Fran Yarlett, NHS GP and medical director at The Lowdown.
A quick pluck and the culprit should be gone for another month until it reemerges in the same spot, again.
However, if you start to notice that rogue hair multiplying, it could be a sign of an underlying medical condition, Dr Fran said.
“Lots of unwanted hair is sometimes a sign of hormonal imbalance where you have too many androgens in your bloodstream,” she tells The Sun.
Here are some of the conditions your hairy friend could be a sign of:
1. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition that affects how a woman’s ovaries work.
“It’s the most common reason for excess hair growth,” Dr Fran says.
It can also cause irregular periods, weight gain, acne, thinning hair and hair loss from your head, as well as difficulty getting pregnant.
Women with PCOS tend to have high levels of androgen hormones in their body, which could be prompting some extra hairs to sprout on their face or body.
The ovaries may also swell and develop fluid-filled sacs.
Not everyone with PCOS will notice symptoms, but the condition is thought to be very common.
The NHS estimates that one in 10 women in the UK have it.
2. Cushing’s syndrome
Cushing’s syndrome is a rare condition, according to the NHS, caused by having too much of a hormone called cortisol in your body.
It mostly affects people who have been taking steroid medication, especially steroid tablets, for a long time.
“It impacts the hormonal system, causing very high levels of a hormone called ACTH, which in turn causes high levels of androgens and hair growth,” Dr Fran explained.
People with the condition are usually left with increased fat on the chest and tummy but slim arms and legs.
They can also have a build-up of fat on the back of the neck and shoulders, known as a “buffalo hump”, as well as a red and puffy face.
3. Obesity
Being obese, or overweight, can also be a trigger for unwanted hair growth.
“[Carrying extra weight] is through the increase of androgenic hormones,” Dr Fran said.
Around 38 per cent of adults in England are overweight, and a further 26 per cent are obese.
People’s medical weight class is usually defined using a body mass index (BMI), measured by considering your height and weight.
A person is classed as normal weight if their BMI is 18.5 to 24.9, overweight if it is 25 to 29.5, and obese if it is over 30.
4. Medicines
Some medications can cause hair growth.
This includes testosterone or danazol used to treat endometriosis, the NHS says.
If you are concerned about your own prescription, speak to a healthcare professional.
When do I need to speak to a doctor about my chin hair?
You should speak to a GP about your excessive hair if you notice:
Sudden unusual hair growth on your face, chin, abdomen, other areas of the body, a deepening voice, or sudden weight gain
Changes in your period – getting heavier, lighter, or stopping
Thinning hair
Acne
Headaches
They’ll check what’s causing your hair growth and might do a blood test to see if your hormone levels are influencing it.
Whether you get rid of your chin hairs is up to you.
How to get rid of that pesky hair for good
If your new friends are making you uncomfortable, several options are at your fingertips – some more permanent than others.
These include:
Prescription cream hair remover
Waxing
Shaving (it’s a myth your facial hair will grow back thicker, according to Healthline)
Tweezing
Epilation
Depilatory creams
Threading
Electrolysis