Menopause facial hair: why you're getting chin hairs and what you can do
By Softer Mind · Updated 15 October 2026 · 7 min read · Based on NHS guidance and published research
You catch it in the car mirror in bright daylight: a dark, wiry hair on your chin that wasn't there last month. Then there are a few more. Or there's a soft, fuzzy shadow on your upper lip. At the same time, the hair on your head may be getting thinner. It can feel like a very unfair swap.
Menopause facial hair is very common. The NHS says most women get more fine facial and body hair as they get older, particularly after the menopause. The British Association of Dermatologists agrees that it's common for women to grow more facial or body hair gradually with age, especially after the menopause.
So a hairy chin in your 50s is usually a normal change, not a sign that anything is wrong. But now and then, new hair growth is a sign of something that needs checking. Please read the box below first.
Ask for an urgent GP appointment if:
- new thick, dark hair suddenly starts growing on your face or body
- your voice is getting lower
- your muscles are getting bigger
These come from the NHS. They can be signs that your body is making too much of the "male-type" hormones. The NHS says a tumour affecting hormone levels is a rare cause.
See your GP soon if new hair has come on over a year or two rather than slowly, or if it comes with thinning hair or balding on your scalp (British Association of Dermatologists).
Why does menopause cause facial hair and a hairy chin?
It comes down to the balance of your hormones.
- Oestrogen falls fast. Around menopause, the ovaries make much less oestrogen.
- Androgens fall slowly. Androgens are the "male-type" hormones, such as testosterone. Women make them too. They drop much more gradually.
- So androgens have more say. A protein in the blood that normally mops up androgens also falls. That leaves more of them free to act.
A 2021 review of hormones after menopause describes this imbalance. It says mild increases in hair growth after menopause are common. Doctors usually put them down to normal ageing.
The British Association of Dermatologists explains that extra hair can come from making more androgens, from the skin being more sensitive to them, or both. So you can have extra hair even if a blood test shows normal hormone levels.
Is it hirsutism or a normal change?
You may see the word "hirsutism" online. The NHS describes hirsutism as thick, dark hair on a woman's face, neck, chest, tummy, lower back, buttocks or thighs. It says that if you have lighter, finer hair on your face or body, it's probably not hirsutism.
| What you notice | What it's likely to be |
|---|---|
| A few coarse hairs on the chin, or fine fuzz on the upper lip, appearing slowly over years | A common change with age and menopause |
| Thick, dark hair on your face and also on your chest, tummy or back | Possibly hirsutism. See your GP |
| Hair that appears fast, with a lower voice, bigger muscles or a thinning scalp | Needs checking soon. See the box above |
The British Association of Dermatologists says hirsutism affects about 5 to 10% of women in Western countries. It's more common in women of Mediterranean or Middle Eastern descent.
Other causes of extra hair
Before putting it all down to menopause, it's worth knowing what else can cause it.
- PMOS. Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome is the new name for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The NHS says it's the most common cause of hirsutism. Its symptoms include extra hair, acne and irregular periods. The NHS PMOS page says symptoms usually carry on until menopause, and some may stop or change after it.
- Testosterone treatment. The NHS says some women are prescribed testosterone by a menopause specialist for low sex drive. A University Hospital Southampton leaflet lists more body hair where you rub in the gel as a rare side effect. It suggests spreading the gel thinly and changing where you put it.
- Other medicines. The NHS says some epilepsy medicines and steroids can rarely cause extra hair.
- Rare hormone conditions. These include Cushing's syndrome, acromegaly, or a growth (tumour) that affects hormone levels.
- No clear cause. Sometimes no reason is found.
If you think a medicine is behind it, talk to your GP or pharmacist. Please don't stop or change any medicine on your own.
How to remove facial hair
There's no right or wrong choice here. It's about what suits your skin, your time and your budget. The NHS lists shaving, waxing, plucking, hair removal creams and bleaching as things you can do at home. The British Association of Dermatologists explains the pros and cons.
| Method | Good to know |
|---|---|
| Plucking | Handy for a few stray chin hairs. The NHS lists it as a home option |
| Shaving | Quick and cheap. Shaving does not make hair grow back thicker or faster. That's a myth. You may get stubble, and shaving often can irritate the skin |
| Waxing | Works well for some women, but can irritate the skin. Take care using it on your face |
| Hair removal creams | Dissolve the hair, so there's no stubble. They can irritate the skin, so try a small patch first |
| Bleaching | Makes dark hairs less noticeable. It can irritate the skin, and may lighten darker skin tones for a while |
Shaving and waxing can sometimes cause "razor bumps". The British Association of Dermatologists says these can leave dark marks or scars.
Longer-lasting options: laser and electrolysis
Laser, IPL (intense pulsed light) and electrolysis all aim to destroy the hair root. Some things to know before you book:
- They cost money. The NHS says they aren't usually available on the NHS and can be expensive.
- They aren't usually permanent. The NHS says results vary from person to person.
- They take time. The British Association of Dermatologists says laser and IPL need several sessions over a number of months.
- They have risks. These include redness, changes in skin colour and scarring.
- Check who's doing it. The British Association of Dermatologists suggests checking that a laser practitioner is registered with the Care Quality Commission or the British Medical Laser Association. For electrolysis, check the person is registered with the British Institute and Association of Electrolysis and uses new, disposable needles.
- Skip the home machines for electrolysis. The British Association of Dermatologists doesn't recommend them.
- Avoid sunbathing and fake tan while you're having laser treatment.
What your GP can offer
A check. Your GP may ask about your periods, your medicines and any other changes. The NHS says they may arrange a blood test to check your hormone levels.
Prescription options to talk through:
- Eflornithine cream. This is a prescription cream that slows facial hair growth. The British Association of Dermatologists says it takes at least 4 to 8 weeks to work, and you need to keep using it. It doesn't remove hair, so you'd still use another method alongside it. Side effects can include burning, stinging and spots.
- Anti-androgen tablets, such as spironolactone. These block the effect of androgens. The NHS mentions spironolactone for extra hair in PMOS. The British Association of Dermatologists says these tablets aren't formally licensed for hirsutism in the UK, but can be prescribed "off-licence" if you agree. They can take several months to work, and hair often comes back if you stop.
- The contraceptive pill. The NHS says this can help control hormone levels, but only if you haven't been through the menopause yet.
- Weight. If you're overweight, the NHS says losing weight can help control hormone levels.
- Referral. If these don't help, or you need more tests, your GP can refer you to a specialist.
What about HRT? None of the sources we checked list HRT as a treatment for facial hair. If you're thinking about HRT for other symptoms, ask your GP what it might mean for your skin and hair.
How it can feel
Unwanted hair can knock your confidence. You might find yourself checking your chin in every mirror, or avoiding close-up photos. Wanting to do something about it isn't vanity. If it's getting you down, tell your GP. That's a good enough reason to book an appointment.
When to see a GP about facial hair
Use the box near the top of this page for anything urgent. Otherwise, see your GP if:
- you have thick, dark hair on your face, neck, chest, tummy, lower back, buttocks or thighs, especially if your periods are also irregular (NHS)
- the hair has come on over a year or two, or you also have a thinning scalp or a deeper voice (British Association of Dermatologists)
- you also have diabetes or are carrying a lot of extra weight, which the British Association of Dermatologists says are worth mentioning
- home hair removal isn't working for you, or it's making your skin sore
- it's affecting how you feel
Our symptoms checklist lets you tick off everything you've noticed and print a list for your GP.
Related
New facial hair often comes with menopause hair loss, menopause acne and other skin changes in menopause. You can see them all in our list of perimenopause symptoms.
This page is general information, not medical advice. If you're worried about any symptom, please talk to your GP or pharmacist.
