When I was younger, I remember my grandmother freaking out because, as she described it, our distant cousin Victoria was turning into a man. I had no idea what she meant up until a few weeks ago.

I was sitting comfortably in my kitchen, leaning my head on my hand, when I felt something on the side of my chin. I tried to wipe away what I thought was a crumb, but it wouldn’t brush off. I ran to the mirror and upon further inspection, I noticed something sticking out of my skin. I almost fainted when I realized that it was a thick, stubbly hair.

“Oh my gosh,” I thought, while envisioning my next career as the bearded lady at the Circus. “I’m turning into Cousin Victoria!”

“Oh, Susan, don’t be ridiculous,” my mother laughed into the phone. “Just get yourself a good pair of tweezers and a magnifying mirror.”

I seriously thought tweezers were just used for getting out splinters. Although, as I thought about it more, I recalled older female relatives sitting in front of massively magnified mirrors, tweezing their chins. When I discussed my horrific discovery with some friends many said, “Oh, yeah, I get those hairs, too.”

So, was this whole chin-hair thing common or was I about to turn into Neanderthal-woman?

To answer my burning questions I called Amy Brodsky, M.D. Dermatologist at Glazer Dermatology in Buffalo Grove. I also spoke with Long Grove resident, Ida Haris, Certified Clinical Electrologist, practicing electrolysis and laser hair removal out of Glazer Dermatology.

“Facial hair is very common in women starting in their mid-thirties,” states Dr. Brodsky. “It’s hormonal and the hairs can be fine or thick.”

According to Brodsky, plucking those few unwanted hairs is never the right answer because they will always grow back. Although Dr. Brodsky says that some women take hormonal medication for this problem, she suggests visiting a Laser Hair Removal Specialist like Ida Haris, who can permanently remove those unwelcome hairs. Haris, in practice for the past 17 years, says that facial hair in women can also be affected by stress, medications and life changes such as pregnancy and menopause.

“The worse thing for facial hair removal is to tweeze, wax or thread,” informs Ms. Haris. “This will just promote more hair growth because you will be stimulating the follicle.”

Haris adds that it’s fine to wax, pluck or thread eyebrows because as women age the eyebrow actually loses hair, so tweezing the brows does not promote more facial hair growth.

Ida advises that “it’s always best to get a referral from a dermatologist or other physician before seeking out laser hair removal or electrolysis. You also want to go to someone who’s been practicing for at least four to six years.”

“Be wary of ‘deals’ and ‘specials,’” warns Haris. “Laser hair removal is a medical device for a non-medical procedure and should really only be done under the auspices of a physician.”

So, should women get rid of absolutely all facial hair? “It’s totally natural to have peach fuzz on your face,” notes Ida. “Our society has made everyone crazy with being hairless, but having peach fuzz is normal.”

Something else interesting is that laser hair removal only works on dark hair. Ida Haris suggests that dark-haired people should consider getting laser treatments before their hair turns grey because electrolysis is much more time consuming. (Laser treatments are about six to eight weeks apart whereas electrolysis is about one to two times per week. Both treatments take about one year because of the hair-growth cycle.)

Unfortunately, Dr. Brodsky says “as women age, they lose hair on various parts of their bodies such as their armpits and legs, but they grow more hair on their faces such as above the upper lip or on the chin area.”

And for all you men secretly grossed-out as you read this article, you are not exempt from extra hairs either. Dr. Brodsky reveals, “As men age, they lose hair on their scalp but gain it in their noses and ears. At least women don’t need to invest in nasal-hair clippers.”

Well, as I continue to illegally pluck my one lone whisker and hope for the best as I age, I will definitely keep Glazer Dermatology’s number close by in case the need for a shave ever comes in to play.

Glazer Dermatology is located at 600 W Lake Cook Rd # 110. To make an appointment with Dr. Amy Brodsky or to have a complimentary consultation with Ida Haris, please call (847) 459-6611.

If you have an idea for a future column, please email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . I’d love to HAIR from you.

© 2007 Susan Dubin, Buffalo Grove, Illinois