Dermatology

Excess Hair Growth

Diagnosing and treating excessive hair growth and hair loss are a key part of a dermatologist’s role.

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Award Winning Specialist Clinic

We've won 12 top industry awards since 2010 and regularly feature in the national and international press.

Industry Leading Consultants

We've invited only the very best consultants in the country to practice with us.

Care Quality Commission

We're regulated by the independent regulator of health and social care in England.

GMC Registered Surgeons

All of our surgeons are registered with the General Medical Council.

What is excess hair growth?

Excessive hair growth is often known as hirsutism. Women who have this condition have thick, coarse dark hair growing on their face, neck, chest, stomach, lower back, buttocks or thighs. 

There are various things that can cause this unwelcome excessive hair growth, although certain groups of women may find themselves at a higher risk of hirsutism.

Sometimes hirsutism can be the result of an underlying medical condition that may require treatment, so it is important to get to the root of what is causing a person’s hirsutism. 

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What causes excess hair growth?

Excessive hair growth is linked to hormones called androgens. Hirsutism occurs when there are high levels of these ‘male’ hormones present, or if the body becomes more sensitive to them.

There are a number of things that may be responsible for excessive hair growth in women.

This is a common condition affecting around one in 10 women in the UK. PCOS affects the way a woman’s ovaries work, with the hormonal imbalance resulting in high levels of androgens. The condition can also cause symptoms such as acne and irregular periods and can also cause infertility. 

It is not known exactly what causes PCOS, but often the condition runs in families.

Certain types of medications are known to cause hirsutism, including some prescribed to treat endometriosis and certain menopause symptoms. 

Anabolic steroids contain natural androgens, which can cause excessive hair growth in women who take these particular drugs.

This is an uncommon condition caused by high levels of the hormone cortisol. Cushing’s syndrome can develop as a result of the adrenal glands making too much cortisol or from taking steroid medicine, especially steroid tablets, over a long period of time.

A rare condition triggered by an overproduction of growth hormone.

Rarely, tumours affecting hormone levels may be responsible for excessive hair growth. Such tumours occur in the ovaries or adrenal glands.

Sometimes there's no obvious cause for hirsutism. However there are certain risk factors that may make a woman more at risk of excessive hair growth.

  • Ethnicity: Women from Middle Eastern, South Asian and Mediterranean backgrounds are more likely to experience unexplained excessive hair growth.
  • Family history: Certain conditions that cause hirsutism, such as PCOS, run in families.
  • Obesity: This group of women is at a higher risk of excessive hair growth as being obese causes increased androgen production.

It is worth noting that the dark and thick hair that appears as a result of hirsutism is different to the extra finer and lighter hair which appears on a woman’s face and body as a result of menopause.


Words from our clients:


The cost of Excess Hair Growth

Consultations From

£ 250

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We successfully treat hundreds of excess hair cases each year. Our team of ten highly experienced specialist dermatologists have been handpicked to form one of the best independent dermatology units in the country

Our hair dermatology specialists have the highest levels of training and qualifications

We work with major bodies and organisations to ensure standards are maintained. These include The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD), Royal College of Surgeons (RCS), Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the General Medical Council (GMC)

Our purpose-built dermatology clinic is conveniently located off Sloane Square, Chelsea


How is excess hair growth treated?

Hirsutism treatment depends on what is causing the excessive hair growth. One of our expert dermatologists may suggest one of the following treatments for you.

If your excessive hair growth is caused by obesity, then losing weight by following a sensible diet can help to control hormone levels.

If you have not yet been through the menopause, then the contraceptive pill can be an effective treatment for hirsutism. Oral contraceptives will control and balance hormone levels.

A special prescription-only cream (eflornithine cream) can help to slow hair growth on the face. However it will not get rid of hair that has already grown.

This hair removal treatment is highly effective and produces long-lasting results.

This particular treatment works by passing a beam of highly concentrated light (the laser) over the surface of the skin. This damages the hair follicles to prevent the hair from growing.

Laser hair removal is particularly good for people with dark brown or black hair.

You may need more than one treatment. This varies from person to person.

Just like laser hair removal, electrolysis is an effective hair removal method that produces long-lasting results.

In this treatment, a tiny needle is inserted into each hair follicle before an electric current is emitted with the aim of destroying the follicle, preventing any further hair growth. Electrolysis is more effective when used on women with blonde or white hair.

Just like laser therapy, more than one treatment is often required, with the number varying from person to person.


What to expect during your consultation

You will meet with one of our highly trained dermatologists at the Cadogan Clinic on Sloane Street, Chelsea for an in-person assessment of your skin.

Your consultant will discuss the following with you at this consultation:

  • The best options for treatment for you given your psoriasis condition, and the results that you would likely achieve with each treatment
  • An explanation of the treatment or treatment plan
  • Go through your past medical historyAnswer any questions you may have

3 Easy Steps

  • Visit the Clinic on Sloane Street, Chelsea for your in-person consultation with one of our dermatologists
  • Start your treatment plan
  • Return to the Clinic to see your dermatologist - if required - to monitor the progress of treatment 

Cadogan Clinic. A strong tradition of innovation

Founded in 2004 by world renown dermatologist Dr Susan Mayou, we now work with over 100 leading consultants and successfully treat over 20,000 patients each year. We have been winning industry awards since inception.

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Excess Hair Growth Specialists

We have invited a selection of the country's very best consultants to join us at the Cadogan Clinic so that you can be sure that whatever the nature of your treatment, you will be seeing one of the top practitioners in the country.

A state of the art, award winning clinic.

Founded in 2004 by world renowned plastic surgeon Mr Bryan Mayou, we now work with over 100 leading consultants and successfully treat over 20,000 patients each year. We have been winning industry awards since inception.

About Us

Best in class facilities

All of our treatments take place at our beautiful boutique premises in Chelsea. We have six consulting rooms and five operating rooms, as well as a dedicated aesthetics and laser suite, and a full team of specialist nursing staff.

Our Clinic

World class consultants

We have handpicked over 100 of the leading consultants in our field to practice with us, and now help over 20,000 patients each year. We also welcome leading international consultants from the US & Europe regularly to the Clinic.

Our History

Strong tradition of innovation

We were founded in 2004 by world dermatologist Dr Susan Mayou, best known for founding the British Association of Cosmetic Dermatologists and introducing the first Mole Check service to be approved by the British Skin Foundation in the UK. We continue to collaborate with pioneers in our field.

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At home in Sloane Street, London

Our state of the art award-winning clinic is located in one of the most exclusive neighbourhoods in the country, in the heart of Chelsea and just a few minutes walk Knightsbridge and Belgravia.

Welcome to Sloane Street

How To Find Us

The Cadogan Clinic is based at 120 Sloane Street in Chelsea, just off Sloane Square and the Kings Road.

We are accessible by all major bus routes that pass through Sloane Square and Sloane Street, as well as Sloane Square tube station.

We are just a 5 minute walk northwards up Sloane Street once you have arrived at Sloane Square.

Local pay parking is available just around the corner from the Clinic on Cadogan Gate, Cadogan Square and Cadogan Gardens. Our local residential parking zone is the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea.

Address: 120 Sloane Street, Chelsea, London, SW1X 9BW


Dermatology

Related Treatments

We believe in the delivery of excellent outcomes and results, and exceptional levels of service. Our outcomes are natural and long-lasting, and we remain the premier choice for cosmetic surgery treatments in the UK.



Trustpilot

Laurel Wreath for Awards

2023

Aesthetic Awards

Highly Commended Best Clinic in London

Laurel Wreath for Awards
Laurel Wreath for Awards

2021

Aesthetics Awards

Highly Commended

Laurel Wreath for Awards
Laurel Wreath for Awards

2021

My Face My Body

Best Clinic Winner

Laurel Wreath for Awards
Laurel Wreath for Awards

2020

My Face My Body

Best Clinic Winner

Laurel Wreath for Awards
Laurel Wreath for Awards

2019

My Face My Body

Winner

Laurel Wreath for Awards
Laurel Wreath for Awards

2018

My Face My Body

Highly Commended

Laurel Wreath for Awards
Laurel Wreath for Awards

2018

Aesthetics Awards

Highly Commended

Laurel Wreath for Awards
Laurel Wreath for Awards

2017

Aesthetics Awards

Winner

Laurel Wreath for Awards

0207 901 8500

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