Hormones Affect Hair Growth Patterns
When you think about the health of your hair, hormones may not immediately come to mind. However, hormones play a large role in how and where your hair grows. Here, we’ll discuss the variety of hormones that can change your hair growth patterns.
Testosterone
Different types of hormones have a significant impact on your hair follicles. Androgens like testosterone, in particular, are major determinants for hair growth. But, androgens affect hair growth patterns depending on the location of the body.
If your testosterone levels are too high, for example, you may experience an increase in facial hair but thinner hair on the head. Testosterone is the male sex hormone, but it’s also found in the female body in lower amounts. Thinning hair can occur as a result of high testosterone in women because androgens cause hair follicles to shrink.
PCOS
PCOS, or polycystic ovary syndrome, is a condition with which women have higher-than-normal levels of androgens in the body. This leads to hair growth in areas where women typically don’t want it, including the face, chest, and back. There’s currently no cure for symptoms, so many women with PCOS opt to manage their symptoms with laser hair removal. Laser hair removal can remove hair and prevent future hair growth, making it a lasting solution for women with unwanted hair due to this hormonal condition.
Estrogen and Progesterone
Estrogen, the female sex hormone, also has an effect on hair growth. Decreased estrogen levels in women, which occurs at menopause, can lead to thinner hair, slower hair growth, and hair loss.
Healthy levels of estrogen in women, on the other hand, have a positive impact on hair growth. Estrogen boosts hair’s growing phase, leading to thicker, longer, and faster-growing hair.
During pregnancy, women notice that they have thicker, stronger, and shinier hair. The reason behind these perks is, of course, hormones. Pregnancy causes higher levels of the hormones estradiol and progesterone in the body, which have significant benefits for hair health. They increase the duration of the growth phase while decreasing shedding.
At Laser Affair, we offer laser hair removal services so that you can eliminate unwanted hair for good. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.