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Handbook of hair in health and disease pp 118–136Cite as

Excess hair growth

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Part of the book series: Human Health Handbooks no. 1 ((HHH,volume 1))

Abstract

Excess hair growth (hypertrichosis) may occur spontaneously or due to various triggers. The estimation of how much hair is too much hair is a matter of individual perception. In many cases undesired hair growth has a strong impact on a subject’s quality of life due to esthetic disturbance. In rare cases hypertrichosis is innate. Numerous triggers may result in excess hair growth: induced by drugs, paraneoplastic, or androgenetic. The most common cause of undesired hair growth in females is hirsutism, in more than 90% of cases due to hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovary syndrome. Various treatment options will be discussed in this chapter. Most effective reduction of hair growth have been reported after combination of topical, systemic, light assisted treatment options and lifestyle modification. In any case, treatment of excess hair growth represents a challenge for dermatologists and endocrinologists.

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Abbreviations

ACTH:

Adrenocorticotropic hormone

AGA:

Androgenetic alopecia

AGS:

Adrenogenital syndrome

AN:

Acanthosis nigricans

CMA:

Chlormadidoneacetate

CPA:

Cyproteronacetate

DHT:

Dihydrotestosterone

FSH:

Follicle-stimulating hormone

GnRH:

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone

HAIR-AN:

Hyperandrogenism insulin resistancy and AN

IGF:

Insulin-like growth factor

IPL:

Intensive pulsed light

LH:

Luteinizing hormone

PCOS:

Polycystic ovary syndrome

SAHA:

Seborrhea acne, hirsutism, alopecia

SHBG:

Sex hormone binding globuline

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Acknowledgements

Appreciation goes to our excellent clinical photographers, lead by Werner Stieber, who contributed with their artistic skills in the production of the figures shown in this chapter.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Medical University Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 8, 8010 Graz, Austria

    Daisy Kopera

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  1. Daisy Kopera
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Correspondence to Daisy Kopera .

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Victor R. Preedy PhD DSc FRSPH FIBiol FRCPath

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© 2012 Wageningen Academic Publishers

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Kopera, D. (2012). Excess hair growth. In: Preedy, V.R. (eds) Handbook of hair in health and disease. Human Health Handbooks no. 1, vol 1. Wageningen Academic Publishers. https://doi.org/10.3920/978-90-8686-728-8_6

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