First Published: 20/08/2026
Estimated Reading Time: 11 mins 9 secs
If you have noticed darker or coarser hairs appearing on your chin, upper lip or tummy, you are not alone. For some women, it begins with one or two hairs. For others, the growth becomes more noticeable during puberty, pregnancy, perimenopause, menopause or alongside a hormonal condition such as polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), previously known as PCOS.
Hormonal facial hair can be reduced very successfully. However, it rarely responds in quite the same way as hair on the legs, underarms or bikini line. Hormones will continue to influence the follicles, different hairs may appear at different times, and the hair itself may be a mixture of colours and textures.
This is why you will need an individualised, monitored treatment plan.
- The short answer: Hormonal facial hair needs a long-term plan because treatment can remove or reduce the hairs that are currently growing, but it cannot prevent hormones from stimulating other follicles in the future. Laser hair removal, electrolysis or a combination of both may be recommended, depending on the colour, thickness and amount of hair.
What is hormonal facial hair?
For women, hormonal facial hair usually refers to darker, thicker or coarser hair that develops around areas such as the chin, upper lip, jawline, neck, sides of the face, chest, back and stomach.
The medical term hirsutism describes excessive growth of thick, coarse hair in women in areas where this type of hair is more commonly associated with male-pattern growth. However, having a few noticeable chin or upper-lip hairs does not necessarily mean you have hirsutism or an underlying medical condition.
Androgens, which include hormones such as testosterone, can influence the size and activity of hair follicles. Facial hair may become more noticeable if androgen levels change or if the follicles become more sensitive to the hormones already present.
The British Association of Dermatologists explains that increased androgen production, increased sensitivity to androgens, or a combination of both can contribute to hirsutism. In some people, no specific cause is found.
What can cause chin or upper-lip hair?
There is not one explanation that applies to everyone. Possible influences include:
- Puberty and normal hormonal development
- Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), previously called PCOS
- Pregnancy and post-pregnancy hormonal changes
- Perimenopause and menopause
- Genetics and natural variations in hair growth
- Increased sensitivity of the follicles to androgens
- Certain medicines
- Less common hormonal or medical conditions
PMOS (PCOS) is one of the most common causes of hirsutism before menopause. However, hormonal facial hair can occur without PMOS, and having unwanted hair alone is not enough to diagnose it.
It is also quite common for facial hair to become more noticeable with age, particularly around peri and menopause. Changes in hormones can influence previously fine hairs into becoming darker or coarser.
In the clinic, I often see clients who have been plucking hairs a couple of times a week,and this can gradually increase to plucking daily without clients realising. Over time the skin can become sore and inflamed, with ingrown hairs due to the distortion of the hair follicle caused by regular plucking.
When should hormonal facial hair be discussed with a GP?
We can assess the hair and skin, but we cannot diagnose the medical reason for a change in hair growth and skin changes. We will always recommend speaking to your GP if we notice changes.
Consider speaking to your GP if the hair is new, increasingly coarse or accompanied by symptoms such as:
- Irregular, infrequent or absent periods
- Persistent acne or unusually oily skin
- Thinning hair on the scalp
- Difficulty becoming pregnant
- Increased hair growth in unwanted areas
- Weight gain
- Other symptoms that could suggest a hormonal change
The NHS recommends seeking an urgent GP appointment if thick, dark facial or body hair begins growing suddenly and is accompanied by a lowering voice or increased muscle development.
This does not mean that most facial hair has a serious cause. These checks simply help to make sure that any underlying medical condition is investigated appropriately.
Why does hormonal facial hair often need ongoing treatment?
There are several reasons why a long-term plan is more appropriate and successful than a short, fixed course.
Hormones may continue to influence new follicles
Laser or electrolysis can treat the hairs that are currently present. They do not switch off the hormonal signals that influence hair growth throughout the body.
A follicle that has been successfully treated should not be confused with a different follicle becoming active later. To the person looking in the mirror, it can feel like the same hair has returned. In reality, it is more than likely to be new growth appearing close to the original area.
In an area the size of your thumb nail, there are between 500 and 1,500 follicles that have the potential to grow hair.
Not every hair is growing at the same time
Hair grows in cycles. At any one time, some hairs are actively growing while others are resting or not yet visible above the skin.
Laser and electrolysis are most effective when a hair is in its active growth stage. Neither method can clear an area permanently in a single appointment.
Facial hairs are often mixed
Hormonal facial hair is not always uniformly dark and coarse. An area may contain a mixture of:
- Coarse, dark hairs
- Finer dark hairs
- Red or auburn hairs
- Blonde, grey or white hairs
- Previously plucked or distorted hairs
Laser needs sufficient pigment within the hair to absorb the laser energy. This makes it particularly useful for darker hairs. Electrolysis treats follicles individually and can be used on every hair colour.
As the darker hair reduces, the remaining lighter or finer hairs may become more noticeable. That is often the point at which electrolysis becomes a more suitable option.
Results need to be reviewed, not assumed
Hormonal hair growth varies considerably between individuals. Two people with hair in the same area may need completely different plans.
This is why we monitor the density, thickness, colour and rate of regrowth throughout treatment. If something is not responding as expected, we would rather review the approach than continue repeating the same treatment without good reason.
Is laser or electrolysis better for hormonal facial hair?
Neither treatment is automatically “better”. The right choice depends mainly on the type and amount of hair being treated.
When might laser hair removal be recommended?
At Hough Green Clinic, laser may be considered when the chin, upper lip or jawline has a reasonable amount of coarse, pigmented hair.
Our Motus AY system combines Alexandrite and Nd:YAG wavelengths, allowing us to treat suitable hair across all skin tones. However, the hair must still contain enough pigment for laser treatment to work effectively.
Facial hair generally needs more sessions than many body areas. We usually advise clients to expect a minimum of twelve treatments for facial hair, although this is only a starting point. The final number and any maintenance needed will depend on the individual response and the continued influence of hormones and maintenance appointments will be expected.
Laser hair removal should be described as long-term hair reduction rather than the guaranteed removal of every hair. Some follicles may be permanently disabled, while other hairs can become finer, lighter or slower to return.
You can read more about laser hair removal in Chester and how we assess suitability.
When might electrolysis be the better option?
Electrolysis can be an excellent choice when the hairs are blonde, red, grey, white, very fine or have previously had ineffective laser treatment.
During electrolysis, a very fine probe is introduced into the natural opening of the follicle. A carefully controlled current is then used to treat the follicle responsible for producing that hair.
Because each follicle is treated individually, electrolysis is particularly well suited to smaller areas such as the chin and upper lip. It can also be used to clear the lighter hairs left behind after a course of laser treatment.
Multiple sessions are still required. Hormonal hairs do not all appear together, and new growth may become visible as the treatment progresses. We often begin with appointments at shorter intervals, typically around every two weeks, before adjusting the schedule as the area clears.
Learn more about electrolysis hair removal in Chester.
Can laser and electrolysis be used together?
Yes. For some clients, combining the two treatments provides the most sensible route.
Laser may initially be used to reduce an area of dense, dark hair. Once that growth has reduced, electrolysis can target the remaining blonde, grey, red, fine or stubborn hairs individually.
The treatments do not necessarily happen at the same time. We may begin with one method and introduce or switch to the other after reviewing the results.
Having both options within the same clinic means the recommendation can follow the hair as it changes. The aim is not to keep somebody on one treatment indefinitely. It is to use the method most likely to help at each stage.
Some clients do not feel comfortable letting the hair grow in order to carry out electrolysis. In this instance, if the hair is suitably dark, we would choose laser hair removal to start with to clear a substantial amount of hair and then switch to electrolysis once the hair has reduced and is less noticeable for the client.
When a client has a large area of dark facial hair, such as full face and neck, we will often start with laser hair removal, as electrolysis is more time consuming and therefore more expensive. In between laser appointments, the client will come for electrolysis to treat any hairs that are too light to be picked up by the laser, such as white or red hairs.
What does a realistic long-term plan involve?
A good hormonal facial hair plan usually has several stages.
1. Assessing the hair and skin
We look at the hair colour, density, texture, growth pattern and treatment history. We also need to know whether the hair has recently been waxed, threaded, plucked or treated with laser previously..
Your skin tone, sensitivity, medical history and any relevant medication will also be discussed.
2. Choosing the right starting treatment
Dark, coarse growth may be suitable for laser. Lighter or more isolated hairs may be better suited to electrolysis.
If the area contains a mixture, we will explain which treatment is likely to offer the most practical starting point.
3. Allowing time for the growth cycles
Sessions need to be spaced so that newly active hairs can be treated. Trying to rush the course does not make resting hairs appear sooner.
Consistency matters, but so does choosing the right interval for the area and the treatment.
4. Recording and reviewing progress
We assess whether there is less hair, slower regrowth, finer texture or longer periods between removal.
Progress is not judged solely on whether an occasional hair appears. With hormonally influenced areas, the pattern over several months gives a far more useful picture.
5. Changing the plan when necessary
If darker hair has reduced and only pale hairs remain, continuing with laser may no longer make sense. If electrolysis is being used across a dense area of suitable dark hair, laser may offer a more efficient first step.
6. Planning maintenance where needed
Some clients finish a course and only return occasionally. Others benefit from more regular maintenance, particularly during periods of hormonal change.
Maintenance does not automatically mean the original treatment failed. It may be needed because new follicles have become active since the initial course.
Can I shave, wax or pluck between treatments?
Shaving does not make hair grow back thicker or create additional follicles. The cut end of the hair can feel more stubbly because it is blunt rather than naturally tapered. The British Association of Dermatologists also confirms that shaving does not encourage increased hair growth, although frequent shaving may irritate some skin.
If you are having laser hair removal, you should not wax, thread or pluck the area during the treatment course. These methods remove the hair from the follicle, leaving the laser without a pigmented target.
Before the initial consultation, we may ask you to leave a small amount of visible growth so that we can assess the hair properly. Shaving or trimming can usually be used between laser sessions once the assessment has taken place, following the advice given by your practitioner.
Electrolysis requires enough visible hair for the practitioner to treat it accurately. We will therefore advise you how long to leave the hair before each appointment.
Some clients find that shaving can irritate their skin. We recommend that clients use their Dermaviduals cleanser as a barrier on the skin when shaving. If the hair is particularly coarse, applying coconut oil to the skin before shaving can be very effective.
What results can you realistically expect?
A successful result does not always mean never seeing another facial hair.
Depending on the treatment and your individual response, progress might mean:
- Fewer visible hairs
- Slower regrowth
- Finer or lighter hair
- Less frequent shaving or plucking
- Longer gaps between appointments
- Reduced irritation and fewer ingrown hairs
- Feeling less conscious of the area in everyday life
For some people, the change is substantial. Others need occasional or ongoing maintenance to keep the hair controlled. Hormonal changes, age, genetics, medication and underlying health conditions can all affect what happens over time.
We would rather be honest about that from the beginning. A realistic plan gives you a clearer idea of the likely timescale, cost and commitment without making guarantees that cannot be supported.
Our approach at Hough Green Clinic
Hough Green Clinic has helped clients manage unwanted hair for more than four decades. We are an independent, family-run clinic, and our practitioners are experienced in both laser hair removal and electrolysis.
That combination matters when treating hormonal facial hair. We are not limited to recommending whichever machine or method happens to be available. We can monitor your progress, explain what we are seeing and change the plan when another approach is likely to suit the remaining hair better.
Sam Capes specialises in laser hair removal, electrolysis and advanced electrolysis. As a qualified nutritional therapist with a particular interest in PMOS and hormonal health, she also understands that unwanted facial hair can be one part of a much wider experience.
Lynn Smith has more than 20 years’ experience in the industry, including expert waxing and advanced skincare. Her knowledge is particularly useful when facial hair removal has left the skin feeling irritated, dry or prone to ingrown hairs.
We have enough years of experience to know what works for our clients and we will always be as honest as possible. We are confident enough in our expertise to say to a client that a treatment may not be working and we need to change to something else. This knowledge and expertise ensures that our clients can feel confident in their treatments with us.
Begin with a private consultation
If chin or upper-lip hair is affecting your confidence, daily routine or skin, the first step is a consultation rather than committing immediately to a treatment course.
We can assess the hair, discuss what you have already tried and explain whether laser, electrolysis or a staged combination may be more appropriate.
If the growth is sudden or accompanied by other symptoms, we may also advise speaking to your GP before beginning cosmetic treatment.