Hairy stomachs are tolerated in men, but most women believe it doesn’t add to their beauty. This raises the question not only of how to get rid of belly hair but also what causes excessive hair growth in this area. In the following article, we will try to answer both.
Obsah
For addressing serious causes of hair growth, your doctor is here. For tackling the hair itself, we are here. Undergo laser epilation with us, which is the only method that can permanently eliminate hair.
Causes of excessive hair growth on women's abdomen
Dark hair on the abdomen can be caused by excessive production of testosterone
Testosterone is primarily a male sex hormone, but it is also naturally present in the female body. It is produced in smaller amounts by the ovaries and especially by the adrenal glands.
A disorder in adrenal function can lead to increased testosterone production, which manifests through various physical changes.
One of the most visible signs is hirsutism, which is excessive hair growth in areas where it is not typical for women, such as the chest and abdomen.
Other manifestations of elevated testosterone levels may include acne, irregular menstruation, or muscle gain.
Medical solutions may include hormonal treatment, medications to reduce testosterone, and primarily targeted treatment of the underlying cause. In the meantime, you can remove unwanted hair through traditional shaving and depilation, or opt for a more permanent solution like laser hair removal.
Increased sensitivity to androgens, a common cause of hair on women's abdomen
Androgens are a group of hormones that are often considered “male” hormones but are also present in women. The most well-known androgen is testosterone, as mentioned earlier.
In women, androgens are present at lower levels than in men. However, even at these lower levels, they can have a significant impact on the body. Each organism reacts differently to hormones.
Some women may have a genetically higher sensitivity to androgens, so even normal levels of androgens can trigger reactions that are more typical of higher levels.
Increased sensitivity can manifest as excessive hair growth on the abdomen and face, the development of acne, or even changes in the menstrual cycle.
This issue is, however, medically treatable, and there are various medications that reduce the effects of androgens. Symptoms such as hair growth can then be addressed, for example, through laser hair removal.
Genetics and hormonal changes also play a role
- Genetic predispositions play an important role in how thick your body hair will be. If you have a family history of excessive hair growth in the abdominal and chest areas, there is a good chance you will experience it as well.
- Hormonal changes accompanying puberty can also cause increased hair growth. The body begins to produce larger amounts of androgens during puberty, which can lead to the growth of darker and coarser hair on the abdomen and chest.
- During pregnancy, significant hormonal changes occur as well. High levels of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone can stimulate hair growth and alter the existing pattern of hair growth.
- In the menopause period, there is a decrease in estrogen production. This can be accompanied by a relative increase in androgens, leading to hair growth in areas where it did not previously grow, such as the abdomen and chest.
Side effects of certain medications
- For example, some medications used to treat high blood pressure, such as beta-blockers or ACE inhibitors, may have increased hair growth as a side effect. This could result from changes in the circulatory system or a direct effect on hair follicles.
- Corticosteroids, which are used to treat various inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, can also lead to excessive hair growth due to their impact on the hormonal system and their ability to mimic the effects of androgens in the body.
- Additionally, some medications used to treat endometriosis affect estrogen levels in the body, which can disrupt hormonal balance and trigger unwanted hair growth.
Overweight and obesity: how do they relate to hair growth below the abdomen?
Obesity and being overweight can also play a significant role in excessive hair growth in women, which can have several causes.
Fat cells not only serve as energy storage but can also actively secrete hormones and bioactive substances. In women with overweight or obesity, there can be excessive production of estrogens and androgens, leading to hormonal imbalance.
Obesity is also often associated with insulin resistance, a condition where the body’s cells do not respond effectively to insulin. This can result in increased insulin levels in the blood, which stimulates the ovaries to produce androgens, such as testosterone.
While insulin resistance is often linked to hair loss, higher levels of androgens can sometimes cause excessive hair growth on the body instead.
Hormonal imbalance caused by obesity can also lead to irregularities in the menstrual cycle, which can further affect hair growth.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a condition where female reproductive hormones are imbalanced. This imbalance can lead to various health problems and symptoms.
The exact causes of PCOS are not entirely clear. Scientists believe that factors such as genetics and elevated levels of androgens (male hormones) play a role.
Women with PCOS often experience excessive hair growth on their bodies, including areas like the abdomen and chest. However, hair growth is relatively a minor complication compared to others. PCOS can also cause irregular menstruation, fertility issues, tendencies toward overweight, or an increased risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, or uterine cancer.
Treatment for PCOS includes both radical lifestyle changes and hormonal therapy, and in some cases, surgical intervention. Specifically, unwanted hair can be effectively removed through laser hair removal.
Cushing's syndrome
Cushing’s Syndrome is a health condition that occurs when the body is exposed to high levels of the hormone cortisol for an extended period.
The reasons for this condition can vary; for example, tumors in the adrenal glands or pituitary gland can stimulate high cortisol production, but cortisol levels can also be elevated by corticosteroid treatments.
Symptoms of Cushing’s disease include increased hair growth in unusual places, changes in physical appearance, weight gain, mood changes, high blood pressure, and an increased risk of developing diabetes or osteoporosis.
Treatment depends on the cause of the syndrome. It may involve surgical removal of the tumor, changing medication, or radiation therapy. In some cases, it may be necessary to take medications that reduce cortisol production.
Cushing’s syndrome is a serious health condition that requires medical supervision and treatment, and concerns about hair growth are secondary in such cases. However, if hair growth is troubling you, laser hair removal may be a solution.
Hair growth on the abdomen can be symptoms of serious medical conditions, so it’s essential to consult your doctor first!
How to get rid of belly hair at home?
Shaving doesn’t offer permanent hair removal
Shaving, whether with a razor or an electric shaver, is undoubtedly the most common way to remove hair. People choose it for its painlessness and immediate effect.
However, the downsides of this solution become clear after a few days. The hair is back. So, if you decide to go the route of repeated shaving, be prepared to invest a lot of time into it.
Improper shaving can also risk potential allergic reactions, bumps, or the really unpleasant phenomenon of ingrown hairs.
Waxing
Pre-made wax strips or special depilatory wax are applied to the skin in the direction of hair growth and pulled off against it.
In essence, this is the waxing method, which, when done correctly, pulls hair out from the roots and gives you up to 6 weeks of smooth skin.
So why don’t more people choose this method? Simply because it is the most painful of all methods. While suitable for the whole body and relatively effective, many people cannot get past the painful sensation of pulling the wax off.
Sugar paste depilation
Historically, this method has been popular for hair removal, particularly in the Middle East and the Muslim world. Its advantage is that it is completely natural, and you can easily make the sugar paste mixture from household ingredients.
Essentially, this method works on the same principle as waxing. The difference lies mainly in the fact that the hardened paste mixture is pulled off in the direction of hair growth rather than against it. As a result, the process is somewhat less painful.
Sugar paste depilation can also provide you with smooth skin for about 6 weeks.
Depilation cream
Depilatory Cream
You can also opt for special depilatory creams, which are applied to the skin, left to work for a while, and then wiped off and rinsed. Depilatory creams literally dissolve the hair and can partially weaken it, so that it grows back thinner next time.
However, depilatory creams do not offer a permanent solution. Even weakened, the hair will keep growing back again and again. Depilatory creams can relieve you of hair for at most a few days.
Epilation with a device
Here we mean mainly home epilators, typically consisting of a system of dozens of micro-pincers that pull hair out from the treated area.
This method is relatively effective, but also not entirely pleasant. Moreover, simply pulling out the hair does not destroy it; its generative bulb remains, and after a few weeks, a new hair may start to grow back.
Professional methods to get rid of hair below the belly button and on the abdomen
For these methods, we do not recommend buying any cheap home devices and prefer to visit a certified salon. These are longer term solutions than the home ones and require not only the experience of a specialist but also the quality of the epilation devices.
Laser hair removal. Long-term solution to remove hair on the abdomen
With laser hair removal, you are treated with a powerful medical laser whose pulse can destroy the hair with heat energy, including the hair bulb, which is responsible for hair growth.
As a result, the hair will not grow back. This condition can last for several years in the case of a well performed procedure. Laser hair removal is therefore rightly considered the most effective of all current hair removal procedures.
Other advantages of laser hair removal include:
- It is possible to undergo the procedure on any part of the body, from epilation of the back to epilation of the most intimate and sensitive parts of the body (usually, however, laser epilation does not remove hair on the head).
- With quality devices and salons, this is a very gentle procedure. Thus, both men and women can undergo laser hair removal, except for a few contraindications.
- Today, quality devices can eliminate even light hair or work with tanned skin of any type.
- Modern lasers are already equipped with built-in cooling, which makes the procedure virtually painless. The worst you may feel is a tiny pinch.
- This is a truly long-term solution that saves you all the hassle of shaving and waxing for up to several years.
Electrolysis and IPL hair removal. An alternative to laser?
Electrolysis
During electrolysis, a thin metal needle is inserted into the skin, and an electric discharge from the needle's tip subsequently destroys the hair's growth center.
This method is very time-consuming because it treats each hair follicle individually. This makes it less efficient for treating large areas, such as the stomach.
Additionally, it is more painful compared to laser hair removal, which may be a problem for some patients.
More sessions are also required to achieve complete hair removal compared to laser hair removal.
IPL epilation
The IPL (intense pulsed light) technology uses broadband pulsed light to remove hair. The light is absorbed by the pigment in the hair, causing its destruction, similarly to laser hair removal.
However, IPL is far less precise than laser. Laser hair removal uses individual, concentrated laser beams that are more effective at targeting hair follicles. Sometimes, IPL can damage and irritate the surrounding skin instead of just the hair.
Modern lasers can treat a variety of skin types and hair, whereas IPL still requires a strong contrast between light skin and dark hair.
Especially with very light, gray, or red hair and with darker or tanned skin, its effectiveness is often insufficient and is considered a less effective method for hair removal.
Therefore, the best mechanical way to reduce hair growth on the abdomen is laser hair removal
Hair growth on the abdomen can have many causes. Some are undoubtedly frustrating but harmless to your health, others can pose a threat to your health. Therefore, the first thing you should address with them is not only the aesthetic, but above all the health aspect.
However, if yours is not a serious medical issue, but primarily an appearance problem, you have multiple methods to deal with it.
Laser hair removal
