Ladies, have you ever noticed having a sprout of whisker on your chin? Curious, you asked yourself where that came from.
Maybe what you did is pluck it out, then it grows back after a few days. But don’t worry, you are not alone.
There are also women across the globe who have the same experience as you. These chin hairs are normal for women, especially as their age increases.
But why did they appear? What causes them to sprout? Does this mean something about my health condition?
Let us dive into the nature of these chin whiskers and why women should learn about them.
Here’s what you need to know about the chin whiskers, including the factors that might cause their existence in your body:
Your Hormones
The first factor to understand why chin hairs exist is your hormones. Specifically, the presence of androgens or “male hormones” that women also have.
These hormones provide the energy levels, muscle mass, and control hair growth. The sudden appearance of chin whiskers can be linked to the slight rise or drop of your estrogen levels. It makes your chin whiskers appear on your jawline, upper lip, or chin.
The sudden drop or rise of your estrogen levels is due to certain conditions or temporary life events, such as stress, side effects of certain medications, puberty, pregnancy, or menopause.
It means that hormones play a role in the appearance of the chin whiskers in you. However, this tells you more about a body’s response to certain lifestyle changes that you have.
A Possible Symptom of PCOS
If you experience having more chin whiskers or if they grow quickly, it can be a sign that you might have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or PCOS.
Aside from PCOS, sudden weight gain, irregular periods, and acne can sometimes appear with chin whiskers.
PCOS is a hormonal condition among women of childbearing age. This happens because the ovaries produce excess male hormones, which lead to extra hair growth.
The process where extra hairs grow is a condition called hirsutism.
Aside from the appearance of chin whiskers due to PCOS, they also experience fertility challenges, problems in weight management, thinning hair on the scalp, persistent acne, and oily skin.
However, PCOS can be treated by medication, supplements, or lifestyle changes. Have your condition be consulted first by the doctor who can determine your health.
A healthcare professional can run a hormonal test, which can help you identify the specific medications, changes, or supplements that you should take to regulate your hormones and prevent the growth of unwanted hair.
Your Genetics
Another factor to consider on why women develop chin whiskers is their genetics. Having chin whiskers is also inherited from your female ancestors or predecessors.
For example, if your mother, sister, or grandma has chin whiskers. Chances are that you can inherit it too as a woman.
Genetics also plays a role in how your body reacts to your hormones. It means that there are women who have sensitive genetics to certain androgen levels.
This is true for women who have South Asian, Middle Eastern, or Mediterranean roots. They tend to have noticeable facial hair growth due to their active hair follicles.
It is not because there is something wrong with you. This is just a way in which your DNA expresses itself in the hormonal changes.
Your Age can be a Factor
Does age play a factor for a woman to have chin whiskers? Definitely.
Your age can be a factor in why you experience a chin whisker. Especially if you are having the signs of aging.
A lot of women are having chin whiskers as they reach their 40s to 50s. Specifically, if they are about to enter their menopausal stage.
When your body’s estrogen levels decrease, the presence of testosterone becomes visible. This is responsible for the appearance of chin whiskers.
It means that chin whiskers are one way your body responds to changes related to your age. Aside from energy, mood, or your skin texture.
This only proves that aging in some way does not mean that you are about to become a hair-free person.
You Might Have an Underlying Condition
Other women who have chin whiskers can also mean that they are experiencing or might be positive with an underlying condition.
This is a deeper hormonal balance or a medical condition that is related to hormone-secreting tumors or adrenal gland disorder, which leads to an increase in androgen levels that causes excessive growth on your hair growth.
If you have experienced symptoms such as, but not limited to, sudden weight gain, acne flare-ups, scalp hair loss, deepening of the voice, hair growth similar to male patterns, and rapid growth or thickness of facial hair.
These symptoms are not ordinary. Schedule a checkup with a doctor or endocrinologist to find out your condition.
The earlier you are about to have a checkup, the earlier it will be treated.
Your Stress Levels Might Be Too High
Another culprit for the appearance of the chin whiskers is your cortisol levels. Cortisol levels are your “stress” hormones.
Producing excess cortisol can affect your reproductive hormones, too. The overproduction of cortisol strengthens the presence of androgens in your body. Resulting in the appearance of the chin hairs.
To reduce the stress levels from being too high, try certain activities to improve your health condition. Activities such as, but not limited to, yoga, regular walks, breathing exercises, and implementing sleep routines.
The only way to reduce the chin whiskers induced by your stress levels is to manage your stress levels. It can help you improve your skin, mood, and overall health.
Medication-Related Triggers
Another reason for the existence of chin whiskers is due to the medications that help increase your androgen levels.
These medications support the growth of new, unwanted hairs in your body or face.
Examples of medications that can trigger an increase in your androgen levels are high-blood-pressure medications, anticonvulsants, hormone-based therapy, or steroids.
Advice from your doctor or health professional is needed when it comes to the adjustment of your medications. In this way, resorting to alternative treatments without affecting your health or increasing androgens may be possible.
How to Safely Remove These Chin Whiskers?
Removing the chin whiskers on your face can be done effectively and safely. It can be done at home or by professionals.
Home solutions may include the use of depilatory creams, facial razors (dermaplaning), waxing, threading, or tweezing (good for one or two stray hairs).
If done by professionals, there are three common treatments expected to be done. You can remove the chin whiskers through prescription creams, electrolysis, or laser hair removal.
Before deciding what should be the right or safe method for you, know first your sensitivity levels and skin type. If possible, consult a dermatologist to guide you on the most effective and safest option intended specifically for you.
If you’d like to remove or manage chin hairs, there are many safe and effective methods — both at home and professionally.
Don’t be Ashamed, it is Normal.
Chin whiskers are not something that a woman should worry much about. This facial hair is experienced by at least 1 out of three women in the world.
Studies show that this facial hair appears after a woman reaches 35 years old.
These hairs do not diminish your femininity or health; this is just your body’s way of responding to age-related, hormonal, or genetic changes.
It is up to you whether to remove them from your face or not. What matters the most is that it is normal, it does not make you less of a woman, and it is not life-threatening at all.
When should you see a doctor?
A doctor’s checkup is necessary if chin hairs appear alongside other symptoms such as sudden weight gain, missed periods, or acne.
The doctor will conduct various tests to check on your condition. Among the tests that will be administered to you are a medication test, a hormonal levels test, or a check for other underlying conditions that you have.
Its main purpose is to identify the overall condition of your health. This is where medical professionals can advise you to maintain your overall health.
Woman, Pay Attention to Your Health
The appearance of a few chin whiskers in you is normal. It is just your body’s natural response to adapting to changes related to genetics, age, or hormones.
Chin whiskers also determine a bigger picture about your health condition.
Ladies, you should pay attention to your health. Especially if age-related, genetics, or hormonal changes are working in your body.
As you increase in age, schedule a doctor’s checkup early, take care of your skin, and make healthy lifestyle decisions.
Don’t panic at the sudden sprout of chin whiskers. Don’t be ashamed to have one.
Just know that your body is responding to certain changes to keep itself balanced and healthy. Sufficient awareness about the chin whiskers is necessary, as they can also affect your confidence.