Dear luvgirl,

It's very normal for women to have dark or thick hair on their bodies even if their parents aren't very hairy. It doesn't need to be treated unless it really bothers you..

Many women treat excess hair by tweezing, shaving, waxing, or bleaching unwanted hair. There are many low-cost products that can be purchased in a drug store for these treatments. Some women choose to remove hair by using depilatories, which dissolve hair right beneath the surface, or electrolysis. In electrolysis, a fine needle is inserted into the hair follicle one at a time and emits heat that cauterizes the root that grows the hair. Although electrolysis is the only permanent way of removing hair, it's not cheap. A complete treatment can cost anywhere between $700-$1,000 and it must be repeated several times.

If you are experiencing a sudden, significant increase in body hair, this could be a sign of a medical condition and should be examined by a physician.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.