MidLife
Hair changes
Fine (vellus) facial hairs, which are normally unnoticeable, may become thicker and darker in certain facial areas during midlife. The chin and upper lip area are common areas for these stubborn hairs to crop up.
For some women, this can be a big cosmetic problem. Plucking, waxing, using depilatory creams, electrolysis, and laser hair removal are some methods of removing these unwanted hairs. Bleaching the hairs to lighten the color is another alternative. These methods vary in their cost, complications, and long term results. If you are interested in hair removal, discuss this with your clinician to learn more about what methods they recommend.
Hair growth patterns are due to heredity (genetics), but they also are a response to the changing level of hormones in your body, specifically a decline in the amount of estrogen and a slight rise in the amount of androgen (male hormone). Some physicians feel that hormone replacement therapy may lessen some of these effects, however, this has not been studied in clinical research.
The texture of your hair may also change - it may be finer. Some women experience thinning of hair in areas of the scalp and pubic region. This is not a midlife female phenomenon – its part of normal aging and it happens to men, too. If you notice this happening prematurely or if it’s alarming to you cosmetically, be sure to discuss this with your physician. There are some topical treatments to promote hair growth (like Rogaine) that produce results in some individuals – but these only last as long as you take the medication. Hair plugs and plastic surgery procedures (not paid for by insurance) may also be helpful to some. There are a variety of hairstyles that may disguise some thinning areas, as well as wigs and hairpieces available in specialty stores.
