Hair growth is a very common problem that is not on the agenda in our society and in the medical world. Studies report that 25% of young girls and 85% of middle-aged women remove unwanted hair by various methods. Hair growth is a disease with psychological and social aspects rather than a simple cosmetic problem. Abnormal hair growth, especially in adolescence, should be investigated urgently, its cause should be found and treated.
Hormonal changes, which are dynamic throughout the woman’s life, affect the hair growth process.
Before puberty, facial hair is light yellow and thin (vellus hairs). At the end of puberty, hormones thicken fine hairs and turn them into dark terminal hairs. It is normal for terminal hairs to grow in the armpits and genitals. The reason for the different hair growth in men and women is the different hormonal activity in both systems. Under normal conditions, women have low levels of testosterone and men have less estrogen. This increase in testosterone level causes hair growth in women. In medical language, this condition is called “hirsutism”. In other words, the appearance of terminal hair on the face, between the breasts, nipples, waist, belly and upper legs due to the effect of the increasing male hormone testosterone is called hirsutism, that is, male pattern hair growth. Hair growth in both sexes on the forearm, calf and below the knee has little to do with hormones.
The hairs in these areas are not reduced by hormone therapy. Hair growth can sometimes be a symptom of an important disease. Testing for estradiol, LH, FSH, testosterone, prolactin, TSH, DHEAS, 17 hydroxyprogesterone in the blood taken between the 3rd and 5th day of menstruation illuminates the cause of hair growth. These examinations should be performed in an appropriate research laboratory and evaluated by endocrinology specialists specialized in the field.
The most common cause of hair growth is genetics. Young people with hairy people in their families tend to be more hairy. This can be on the mother’s or father’s side. People who apply in this way have regular menstrual cycles and normal fertility. The second major cause of hair growth is polycystic ovary disease. . In this disease, there are many millimetric cysts in the ovaries.
The reason for the formation of cysts is the absence of ovulation, which is normal in every woman of childbearing age. A rarer cause of hair growth is a hormone imbalance from the adrenal gland. This imbalance is congenital but manifests in adolescence.
Epilation plays an important role in the treatment of hair growth. Laser epilation, one of the methods currently on the market, is one of the best methods in terms of permanent hair loss.
Each hair follicle goes through growth (anagen), regression (catagen) and resting (telogen) phases starting from its formation. Anagen (growth) period: It is the period when the hair follicle is active.
During this period, the hair root is completely in contact with the self-feeding cell and the color substance called melanin is intense. Catagen (regression) period: It is a short period in which the development of the hair follicle stops. Telogen (resting) period: It is the period when the biological activity in the hair root stops and it is time to shed the hair. Hair in the human body is located in pockets embedded in the skin called hair follicles. Feathers only feed and grow from these follicles. The period from the first emergence of a hair to shedding is 6 months. Therefore, hair removal with hormone therapy takes at least 6 months.
The mechanism of action of the laser on the hairs
The melanin (the substance that gives color to the hair and skin) contained in the hairs in the active phase (Anagen phase) is selected by the laser beam, and the hair that absorbs this light acts as a conductor and transmits the light energy, which is converted into heat, to the hair root (selective thermolysis). The aim is to destroy the hairs and the cells that feed them, thus minimizing or completely destroying the hair production. Laser devices vary according to wavelengths. Ruby (694 nm), alexandrite (755 nm), diode (808 nm), NdYag (1064 nm) are lasers used for epilation. Frequently preferred alexandrite and diode lasers. As the wavelength of light decreases, its sensitivity to melanin, which gives hair its color, increases. Therefore, low wavelength lasers give very effective results on black hair. Using a laser that will not harm the skin and have a strong effect on the hair is very important for the effectiveness and permanence of the treatment. For this reason, the most preferred and reliable devices are alexandrite lasers. It should be applied under the supervision of a doctor.
The point that should not be forgotten is that people with hormone imbalance should not have epilation before they reach full balance. In this case, the hairs removed by epilation come back in a few months. Hormone balance should only be adjusted under the supervision of a hormone specialist (endocrinology). The most successful results in the treatment of hair growth are seen in those who have both hormone and epilation treatments at the same time.
