Endocrinologists Help Us Deal With
Unwanted Hair, Facial Discolorations
By Ashley Uter
Laserworks of
Improper
hormonal balances can affect women in serious ways; it can lead to Melasma, or
skin discolorations and abnormal hair growth
.
To look your
best this holiday season, it is important to try and avoid stress and keep your
hormones in check
Splotchiness
Melasma is
that unwanted brown splotchiness on the forehead, cheeks, upper lip, or jaw
line that is triggered by hormones and sunlight. Hormones stimulate the growth
of cells that make brown pigment (melanocytes). And natural light stimulates
the production of even more brown pigment (melanin).
Basically, melasma involves
two problems: (1.) too many cells making brown pigment and (2.) sunlight
constantly stimulating them.
It can
sometimes be caused by estrogens in oral contraceptives and hormone replacement
therapy.
Abnormal
hair growth or growth in unusual areas is also a result of hormone
imbalances.
The first thing a woman
should do is consult her doctor. With a few blood tests the doctor can usually
pinpoint the specific cause of the abnormal hair growth and provide advice on
the best course of treatment for the underlying cause.
However, generally speaking,
hair growth caused by hormonal imbalances or over-production will not go away
once the imbalance is resolved. It must be dealt with by traditional hair
removal techniques.
The good news is
there are ways to help treat hormone imbalances.
What is an endocrinologist?
Endocrinologists work to diagnose and treat hormone imbalances and problems by
helping to restore the normal balance of hormones in your system. They are
specifically trained to diagnose diseases that affect your glands. They know
how to treat conditions that are often complex and involve many systems within
your body.
They treat
many conditions including: diabetes, thyroid diseases, metabolic disorders,
over or under production of hormones, menopause, osteoporosis, hypertension,
cholesterol (lipid) disorders, infertility, lack of growth (short stature) and
cancers of the endocrine glands.