Menopause Facial Hair: For Pluck Sake!

We all know that menopause can throw your body for a loop; hot flashes, night sweats, dizziness, and anxiety are just some of the symptoms you might experience. Suffice it to say, it can be a physical and emotional rollercoaster.

Menopause can also impact your skin and hair. This is all down to hormonal changes. It may seem contradictory but you may see less of some hair (underarms, for example) but also have to cope with a sudden crop of coarse, dark hard on your chin and upper lip.

What the hell is happening? Let’s get into to:

Menopause Facial Hair Growth: It’s All in the Hormones

During perimenopause (the years in the lead-up to menopause, when the bulk of symptoms occurs) and menopause (medically defined as when you have gone 12 months without a period), your estrogen levels fluctuate and decline. This results in the gradual cessation of ovulation and periods. Perimenopause can last many years, so the changes (and symptoms) may seem more in flux, gradually unfurling new experiences.

Dropping estrogen levels can impact many parts of our bodies beyond our menstrual cycle. Symptoms of perimenopause can range from inner ear issues to stress and anxiety. 

But it’s not just estrogen that changes: As estrogen levels drop, the overall balance of your hormones changes. Levels of testosterone, which is typically thought of as the “male” hormone and is present in women’s bodies too, do not change. So as estrogen drops, testosterone levels stay the same. And this means your overall hormonal balance changes.

What Do Hormone Levels Have to Do With Excess Hair Growth?

Remember puberty? It was the surge in hormones that kicked your body into development. As estrogen levels rose, you developed breasts and began menses (monthly periods.) You may have become moodier. You also started to grow armpit hair and pubic hair. 

As those estrogen levels decline, you may notice that hair growth in those areas slows down. This can be a small mercy for those of us who shave or wax those areas. 

However, with the decline of estrogen, testosterone plays a more dominant role. The hair associated with testosterone is coarser and darker. As estrogen declines, you might notice growth slow on the softer, finer hair (aka vellus hair) associated with estrogen and puberty. But you may also notice the arrival of ‘testosterone-fuelled” coarse hair (aka terminal hair.) 

These coarser hairs will typically appear on the chin and upper lip. You may also notice one rogue eyebrow hair that seems thicker and wirier than the others. The good news is you’re not alone. The bad news is that the appearance of these hairs can feel like a devastating blow to your femininity and attractiveness at a time when your body and emotions are already in great turmoil. Hang in there!

What to Do About Unwanted Facial Hair Growth

There’s nothing wrong with growing facial hair - it’s all just part of the human experience! You should not feel medical concerns about facial hair growth—it is a natural part of the process.

That said, if it bothers you can do something about it. There are lots of old wife’s tales about hair removal—that it will grow back thicker, or that more hair will grow. These are not true. If you’ve got one (or two, or three) of those coarse and wiry hairs, you can deal with them.

You probably already have a preferred hair removal process for other body parts (eyebrows, underarms, legs, etc.) You can use that method for those rogue chin and upper lip hairs. Note: Hair removal methods that are not permanent may result in ingrown hairs on regrowth.

Popular methods of dealing with menopausal facial hair include:

Plucking or Tweezing Unwanted Facial Hair

Since these hairs tend to be more isolated (as opposed to dense growth), a more pinpointed approach works well. Tweezing or plucking the hair will pull it out by the root, so will mean there’s no ‘stubble’ and it will take longer to grow back.

While plucking can cause some pain and inflammation, you may be familiar with this method and the feeling if you already pluck your eyebrows. Generally grab the hair firmly, closer to the root, and give one firm tug in the direction of growth and the hair should release. If you have very sensitive skin, a cold flannel or an ice roller will help soothe the skin afterward.

Waxing or Threading for Unwanted Facial Hair Growth

If waxing or threading is your preferred method of hair removal, you can try it on those rogue, wiry hairs. Whether you do it at home or go to a salon, everybody knows that waxing can be pretty painful, especially on more sensitive body parts. But if you’re already a pro at getting waxed, you’ll be used to that feeling.

It’s worth noting that waxing and threading generally target larger areas than plucking, so consider if you have one stray hair and whether this might be the best approach. Also, waxing and threading are both temporary methods of hair removal, so you will have to repeat the process, depending on regrowth.

Electrolysis for Unwanted Hair Growth

Electrolysis is a targeted hair removal technique for unwanted hair growth (like tweezing) but unlike tweezing or plucking it is a permanent method for removing unwanted facial hair (and hair in other body areas.)

Electrolysis involves the insertion of a probe into the hair follicles to deliver electric currents that destroy the hair root. This makes it unsuitable for large areas of growth, but perfect for targeting individual rogue hairs. Electrolysis may be more expensive and will require a visit to a salon or dermatologist, but you will have no regrowth of the same hair after electrolysis.

Electrolysis is generally not considered too painful. You may experience a slight tingling and more sensitive skin types may experience redness or mild swelling after the treatment.

Laser Hair Removal (May Only Work on Dark Hair)

Laser removal is another permanent method of hair removal for those extra chin hairs, though it may take several sessions to have full effect. Laser hair removal is the process of hair removal through exposure to pulses of laser light that destroy the hair follicle. Because it works with light, it is only effective on dark hairs (not blonde or gray hair.)

Laser facial hair removal is generally not considered very painful. There may be a slight “zapping” feel and you may experience a feeling of heat too. Some liken it to a gentle snap of a rubber band against the skin. Laser hair removal is suitable for large and small body parts, but it should not be used around the eyes. It is usually administered by a professional salon, but there are an increasing number of at-home (IPL or intense pulsed light) devices on the market too.

Other Ways Menopause May Impact Hair and Skin (Beyond Facial Hair)

Excessive hair growth is just one of the ways perimenopause and menopause can impact your hair and skin. In addition to an increase in facial hair growth, you may also experience:

Dryness and Itchiness

The skin may become drier as a result of hormone fluctuations and you may have to step up your body and facial moisturizing game. Generally, the skincare regime that worked for you before perimenopause may not be what your skin needs now. 

Talking with your aesthetician, dermatologist, or skincare specialist about the types of products that might support your changing skin is a good idea. They may recommend serums and creams as opposed to lighter lotions. They might also point you to gentler cleansers so you’re not stripping the skin as much. 

Sagging Skin

When estrogen levels drop, your body produces less collagen. Collagen is what gives your skin that plumpness and tightness. You might notice your skin starts to sag or become more hollowed. It is common to notice sagging skin on the neck or hollowness around the eyes/cheeks. Facial massage may stimulate the skin and help restore plumpness.

Age Spots / Dark Spots 

If you have a history of sunburn or sun damage, you may notice age spots begin to appear around perimenopause. These are not usually a cause for concern medically, though some people dislike their appearance. Several topical products promise to address dark spots. 

There are also treatments (Including micro-needling, laser treatments, and peels) that will promise to address these. They will all have varying levels of efficacy. It is important to continue to wear sun protection daily and some of these treatments that target dark spots can also make you more susceptible to future dark spots, so definitely commit to that daily sunscreen routine.

Post-Menopause Acne Breakouts

You might think that acne is now a thing of the past. Unfortunately for some, that is not the case. Hormonal imbalances can cause outbreaks (similar to the kinds of outbreaks you may have experienced around your period.) The same rules apply as with any outbreak: Avoid picking or popping acne and try gentle salicylic acids to break down the acne. (Remember that menopausal skin can also suffer from dryness, so avoid very harsh cleaners.) A dermatologist or skincare professional will be able to recommend further products or treatments to try.

Thinning Scalp Hair

During and after menopause, women’s hair may become finer because the hair follicles shrink. Hair grows more slowly and falls out more easily in these cases. You may notice more hair coming out when you brush or style your hair, or when you wash it. Or you may notice bald patches appear on the scalp. Again, the cause is hormonal: Estrogen and progesterone levels fall during perimenopause, and this allows the effects of the androgens (male hormones) to be felt more keenly. If you experience hair loss, chat with your doctor. They may recommend supplements, medications, or treatments to minimize the effect.

As you go through the changes of perimenopause and menopause, you may have to let go of long-held standards of beauty and create a kinder, more accepting space for yourself. But you can also take steps to care for your skin, hair, and body in this new phase. Be open to trying new products and supplements (with medical supervision/approval) that may help you manage and minimize some of the signs of perimenopause and menopause in your skin. 

At the same time, try to be kind to yourself and appreciate that your body has got you this far. Find new role models, style, and beauty inspiration on social and surround yourself with images and individuals who inspire you—aging can be beautiful and inspiring too!

We hope you found this post informative — but remember: we’re not doctors and this post is not medical advice! While all posts are fact-checked and well researched, we always recommend you chat with your doctor about any questions or concerns you might have regarding a medical condition. We’re here to support and educate, but never with the aim of disregarding professional medical advice you’ve been given. Phew, now that that’s out of the way, you can go on living unapologetically free.