Hair growth isn't static throughout life. Hormonal conditions and life stages can meaningfully change hair density, thickness, and even where hair grows — which means a hair removal routine that worked for years can suddenly feel like it's not keeping up.
How Hormones Drive Hair Growth
Androgens (a hormone group that includes testosterone) stimulate hair follicles, particularly in areas like the face, chest, and abdomen. Everyone has some circulating androgens regardless of sex, but conditions or life stages that increase androgen levels or increase follicle sensitivity to them can trigger new or thicker hair growth in these areas — a pattern called hirsutism when it's clinically significant.
PCOS and Hair Growth
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common causes of hormonally-driven excess hair growth, affecting an estimated 8-13% of people with ovaries. Elevated androgen levels associated with PCOS commonly cause coarser, darker hair growth on the chin, upper lip, chest, and lower abdomen — areas that may not have previously required regular hair removal.
What this means practically: IPL and laser hair removal can still work well for PCOS-related hair growth since coarser, darker hair actually responds well to light-based treatment. However, because the underlying hormonal drive continues, regrowth and maintenance sessions are often needed more frequently than for hair growth unrelated to a hormonal condition. Managing the underlying PCOS with a healthcare provider can also reduce new hair growth over time, working alongside — not instead of — a hair removal routine.
Menopause and Hair Growth Changes
Menopause brings a different hormonal shift: declining estrogen relative to androgens, even though absolute androgen levels typically also decline. This relative shift can trigger new coarse hair growth on the chin and upper lip for some people, even as scalp hair may thin — a seemingly contradictory pattern that's actually consistent with how different hair follicles respond differently to the same hormonal environment.
What this means practically: If you're noticing new facial hair growth around perimenopause or menopause that wasn't previously part of your routine, IPL and laser devices remain effective options, with the same skin-tone and hair-color considerations covered elsewhere on this site. Facial skin also tends to become thinner and more sensitive during this life stage, so starting at lower intensity settings and prioritizing devices with skin-tone sensors is a reasonable extra precaution.
Other Hormonal Contributors
Thyroid conditions, certain medications (including some hormonal birth control formulations and anabolic steroids), and adrenal conditions can also influence hair growth patterns. If new, unexplained hair growth appears rapidly or is accompanied by other symptoms (irregular cycles, acne, weight changes), it's worth discussing with a healthcare provider before assuming it's simply age-related — there may be an underlying condition worth identifying.
Adjusting Your Routine
If hormonal changes have shifted your hair growth pattern, consider:
- Reassessing treatment areas: A device or routine built around leg and underarm hair may need to expand to cover new facial growth areas.
- Budgeting for more frequent maintenance: Hormonally-driven regrowth often requires more frequent touch-up sessions than hair growth without an ongoing hormonal driver.
- Choosing a facial-rated device: If new growth is concentrated on the face, prioritize a device with a dedicated precision attachment, as covered in our facial IPL guide.
Bottom Line
Hormonal conditions and life stages like PCOS and menopause can genuinely change your hair growth pattern, sometimes significantly. The good news: IPL and laser hair removal still work on hormonally-driven hair using the same principles covered throughout this site — you may just need to budget for more frequent maintenance and potentially new treatment areas.