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Unwanted Hair

Unwanted hair is the presence of visible hair where you would rather not have it, whether on the face or the body. It comes in two distinct forms: thick, pigmented terminal hair and fine, pale vellus hair, and each one follows a different logic when it comes to choosing a treatment.

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What happens at the follicle

Every hair grows from a follicle, but the calibre varies. Terminal hairs are thick, long and pigmented; vellus hairs are short, fine and barely coloured. Thick hair in unwanted places often reflects follicles becoming more sensitive to androgens, so a follicle that once produced soft fuzz starts producing a coarse terminal hair instead.

Why does unwanted hair grow?

Unwanted hair has several overlapping influences. Genetics and ethnic background set your baseline density, while hormones can shift the type of hair a follicle produces over time. Understanding which factor is at play helps explain why some hair appears gradually and some quite suddenly.

Androgen sensitivity

When follicles become more sensitive to androgens, they can convert fine vellus hair into thick terminal hair. This is the mechanism behind hirsutism, a male-pattern distribution of coarse hair (chin, upper lip, abdomen) that is common in PMOS, formerly known as PCOS.

Genetics and ancestry

Your inherited profile largely determines how dense your hair is and where it grows. Some people are simply predisposed to more terminal hair in certain areas, which is normal variation rather than a sign of any underlying condition or imbalance.

Hormonal shifts over life

Hormone levels change through puberty, pregnancy, perimenopause and menopause. As the balance shifts, some follicles may start producing coarser hair in new areas, which is why patterns of unwanted hair can evolve at different stages of life.

Hair colour and phototype

The pigment in a hair is what makes laser hair removal possible, since the light energy is absorbed by melanin. Light, grey or white hairs carry little pigment, and darker skin tones call for careful settings, so suitability is never one size fits all.

How to Prevent

Watch for sudden changes

Sudden, excessive or clearly male-pattern hair growth in women deserves a medical assessment, as it can point to a hormonal imbalance. Addressing the underlying cause matters before deciding on any cosmetic approach to the hair itself.

Set realistic expectations

Laser hair removal targets the pigment in terminal hair and needs several sessions to reach follicles during their growth phase. It works far less on pale or white hair, so understanding what it can and cannot do helps you plan sensibly.

Care for darker skin tones

On darker phototypes, light-based hair removal requires extra caution because of the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. A proper skin and hair assessment helps determine whether the approach is appropriate for you and how it should be adapted.

Be gentle between sessions

Avoid plucking or waxing pigmented hair you intend to treat with laser, since removing the root limits the target. Sun protection also matters, as recently tanned skin can affect both suitability and comfort during light-based treatment.

Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL)

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a non-invasive technology that uses controlled pulses of light to target specific structures in the skin, including pigment (melanin), blood vessels, acne-causing bacteria and hair follicles. When absorbed, the light creates a controlled thermal effect that helps reduce discoloration, redness, inflammation or unwanted hair, while preserving the surrounding skin. Because this technology acts on pigment and blood vessels, it is not suitable for all skin types. Very dark skin tones, recently tanned skin or certain skin conditions may carry a higher risk of side effects, which is why a professional skin assessment is essential before treatment.

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Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal uses concentrated laser energy to target hair follicles and reduce unwanted hair growth, for long‑lasting results that depend on factors such as your hair and skin. Because it acts on the follicle rather than removing hair temporarily at the surface, it is considered a method of permanent hair reduction.