Page 44 - Chapter 3 - Laser/IPL Hair Removal

Chapter 3 – Fundamentals of Laser/IPL Hair Removal 2nd Edition
Hirsutism and Hypertrichosis
The terms hirsutism and hypertrichosis are often confused although there is a definite difference between the two. Both terms are used to describe excessive hair growth, but there the similarity ends.
Hypertrichosis is the term used for a generalised over-growth of vellus and terminal hair in either sex. Hairs grow longer and faster than normal, although there is no increase in diameter size. This type of hair growth is not due to a systemic disorder. Causes are genetic and racial tendencies, or constitutional variation in follicle sensitivity.
Hirsutism
Affects hormone dependent
terminal hairs Masculine hair growth pattern
Appears just before or after puberty
Caused by endocrine disorder or increased sensitivity to circulating hormones
Occurs in women
Hypertrichosis
Not hormone dependent
Generalised overgrowth of terminal hairs
Can affect the entire body surface
Racial or genetic predisposition
Occurs in both sexes
Hirsutism refers to a masculine pattern of hair growth in women – one which is normal in men. There is an increase in cyclic growth, diameter of hair and rate of growth. Hirsutism is caused by the following two factors:
1. increased follicle sensitivity to normal levels of circulating androgens in the blood. This is referred to as primary hirsutism.
2. increased androgen production by the adrenal glands and ovaries. This is referred to as secondary or true hirsutism. The onset of primary hirsutism occurs at puberty, increasing until the thirties when it stabilises, whereas secondary hirsutism begins just before or just after puberty. Secondary hirsutism is due to an endocrine disorder which causes increased hormonal secretion by the glands.
The number and distribution of hair follicles is the same in both sexes. It is genetic predisposition which determines the sex of an individual and specific hair growth patterns. Endocrine hormones are responsible for influencing and stimulating growth at the follicle cells, which in turn determines the pattern, quantity, texture and distribution of body hair.
________________________________________________________________________ 44 Chapter 3, Ed. 2.0 Laser/IPL Hair Removal
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