All women have facial and body hair, but the hair is usually very fine and light in color. Excessive or unwanted hair that grows on a woman’s body and face is the result of a condition called hirsutism.

The main difference between typical hair on a woman’s body and face (often called “peach fuzz”) and hair caused by hirsutism is the texture and location. Hirsutism is when usually fine hair is coarse or if it grows in areas where hair is not usually present.

Women develop excessive body or facial hair, called hirsutism, may be due to higher-than-normal levels of androgens, including testosterone. All females produce androgens, but the levels typically remain low. Certain medical conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), can cause a woman to produce too many androgens and, as can normal life events such as pregnancy. Hair growth or hirsutism in pregnancy is usually due to hormonal fluctuations — an increase in secretion of male hormones or androgens from the ovaries and placenta.

Waxing, shaving, and depilatories: If you have hirsutism, you may need to be more proactive about waxing, shaving, and using depilatories (topically applied creams lotions or foams that remove hair). These are all pretty affordable and take effect immediately, but they require continual treatment.

Laser hair removal: Laser hair removal involves using concentrated light rays to damage your hair follicles. Damaged follicles can’t produce hair, and the hair that’s present falls out. With sufficient treatments, laser hair removal can provide permanent or near-permanent results.

Electrolysis: Electrolysis is the removal of hair using an electric current. It treats each hair follicle individually, so the sessions can take longer.