"For years I have suffered from hair and pimples on my chin. I have to shave every day and I scratch my face all day because I have to get the scabs off. I like even skin, but the more I touch it, the worse it gets naturally. It controls my whole life. Many things I do not dare, because I am ashamed of my chin. Can I have this repaired and will this be reimbursed?"
mr.
Dick van Gerwen, dermatologist:
Excessive hair growth in women, for example in the face, is called hirsutism. Hair growth is partly controlled by hormones, including testosterone. In a very small proportion of women with hirsutism, there is an elevated testosterone level in the blood. But in most women with excessive hair growth, these levels of testosterone are normal.
However, sometimes the hairs are more sensitive to testosterone in the blood. For example, a normal testosterone level in the blood can still cause increased hair growth. It also occurs in a certain disease: the polycystic ovary syndrome. In this syndrome, women often also have irregular periods.
Laser
Picking and scratching is not the best treatment for excessive facial hair. Shaving only provides a temporary solution, the hair keeps growing back. To ensure that the hairs do not grow back, the hair follicles, which contain the hair root, must be destroyed.
This is now possible very well with a laser treatment. The laser light is selectively absorbed into the pigment of the hair and hair root, while it is not or hardly absorbed into the skin.
This strongly heats the hair root, burning it and the surrounding hair follicle, while not damaging the skin. It only works on dark hair. Gray or light blond hairs are insufficiently heated by the laser.
Laser hair removal for excessive facial hair in women is in most cases (fully or partially) reimbursed with an additional insurance package. It must then be applied for with a medical certificate from a general practitioner or dermatologist.
Behavioral change
Picking and scratching skin blemishes is often a difficult habit to break (just like nail biting). Skin irregularities can then still be treated better by a dermatologist. Sometimes it is necessary to enlist the help of a psychologist, who can break the habit with the help of behavioral therapy.
More information about hair removal: www.huidinfo.nl/ontharen.
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