Perimenopause often brings a lot of symptoms along with it. These can include everything from acne to hair loss and sometimes even neurological (brain and nervous system) changes. Another symptom sometimes linked with perimenopause is the growth of facial hair.

If you’re experiencing this and wondering what’s going on with your body, you’re not alone. Here’s what you need to know to understand why you’re suddenly growing facial hair and how to manage it.

Perimenopause and Facial Hair

As is true of many of the symptoms associated with perimenopause, facial hair grows during this phase of life because of hormonal changes. Specifically, during perimenopause, your estrogen levels are going down. This changes your hormone balance. As estrogen drops, hormones called androgens can have more of an effect. Higher androgen levels are linked to facial hair, which may help explain why this happens.

Women usually have light, fair hair on their faces for most of their lives (often called peach fuzz). However, this can change during perimenopause. Instead of growing this kind of hair, many women find that they’re growing coarse, dark hair on the face. These hairs are called terminal hairs. They are thicker, darker, and more like beard hair than the fine facial hair many women have for most of their lives.

About 39 percent of women had grown this type of hair by postmenopause. Chin hair was the most common, but it could also appear on the sides of the face or the upper lip. That makes sense, because testosterone is linked to hair growth in these same areas.

Sometimes, growing hair on your face comes along with struggles to grow hair on your scalp or with losing scalp hair. These changes are also associated with perimenopause.

Managing Facial Hair From Perimenopause

Finding a doctor who understands perimenopause and who is willing to get to the bottom of your perimenopause symptoms can help you manage unwanted facial hair. You may also choose to deal with your facial hair on your own.

You have a lot of options when it comes to removing facial hair caused by changing hormone levels connected to perimenopause. Some are temporary, while others are semipermanent or permanent.

Tweezing

Tweezing your facial hair away is just what it sounds like: removing each individual hair with tweezers. It works best if you only have a few facial hairs to remove and if you don’t mind them growing back relatively quickly.

Tweezing too much or too often can change the color of your skin, cause inflammation in your hair follicles, and even lead to scarring. If the hairs you’re getting rid of are close to acne or moles, there’s an even higher chance that tweezing will cause inflammation. In these cases, tweezing may not be your best option.

Waxing

Waxing involves applying warm wax to the area of your unwanted hairs, letting it harden around the hair and a strip of cloth, then removing it quickly along with the hair. There are kits to help you do this at home, or you can have a professional do it for you.

Waxing requires your hair to be at least a quarter of an inch long, which is longer than many women want to let their facial hair grow. You also can’t use retinoids for two to five days before you wax, so many facial creams are out. Finally, some people find that waxing causes significant pain. If these drawbacks don’t work for you or you find waxing too painful, another option may be better.

Hair Removal Cream

Using a hair removal cream can also help you get rid of extra hair on your face. Each kind has its own instructions. Generally, you spread it on the area, wait a few minutes, and wash it off. The hair usually comes off with it.

If you have sensitive skin or a skin condition like eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea, these creams may cause irritation. They can also irritate skin with acne or sunburn. Try a small amount on one area first to see how your skin reacts. If your skin is already irritated, it may be better to use a different option.

Threading

Threading involves using two cotton threads to remove hair. Some people can do it on their own, while others prefer to pay a professional to do it for them. If you don’t have experience, it can lead to ingrown hairs or make your facial hair look uneven, so taking time to practice or going to a salon is generally preferred. Threading doesn’t cause as much skin irritation as some of the other options, but it’s not intended for large areas. If you have a lot of facial hair to get rid of, you may want to try another approach.

Dermaplaning

Dermaplaning involves shaving off the hairs you don’t want using a medical scalpel. This can sound intimidating, but many people learn to do it at home. If you go that route, you’ll want to buy special tools that will help keep you safe. Make sure you hold the skin tight, keep the scalpel at a 45-degree angle, and use short strokes.

Some people find dermaplaning uncomfortable. If this is the case for you, there are sprays and creams you can use to help numb the stinging or scratching feeling. You should also apply a gel or cream to soothe your face afterward. Keep in mind that dermaplaning also removes the top layers of your skin, so it’s not recommended for people who have skin issues, cold sores, moles, or skin tags.

Electrolysis

Electrolysis is a more permanent hair removal method. It requires seeing a trained professional and uses an electric current to destroy the hair at the root. You’ll probably need to have several treatments before you know how it’s going to work for you. Some people need an appointment every week or every other week for a year and a half to get the results they want. After electrolysis, you’ll have to avoid irritating your skin for 24 hours.

Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is another method of getting rid of facial hair. A professional will treat your hair with a laser, which will eventually destroy the hair follicle so it can’t grow back. It can take around six sessions with a laser professional before your hair is gone, and it may take even longer on your face.

If the hair you don’t want is light, laser hair removal won’t work for you. Some people aren’t good candidates for laser hair removal, so you’ll want to be evaluated by a dermatologist before you invest in it.

Medications

There are medications that can slow unwanted hair growth or help you get rid of unwanted hair. These can be topical, like a cream you spread on your skin, or oral, like a pill. You’ll need a prescription for these, so you’ll need to consult your healthcare provider for medical advice before you use them. They can help you decide whether the benefits outweigh the side effects.