Unwanted Facial Hair Consultation

About this service

Hirsutism means coarse, dark hair growing in a male pattern on the face and body, most often on the upper lip, chin, jawline, chest and abdomen, and it is different from the fine, light hair that everyone has. It affects a meaningful proportion of women and can be genuinely distressing, and it is worth saying that normal varies a lot between individuals and between family backgrounds. At Berkeley Pharmacy we offer a sensitive, private consultation that takes the problem seriously, assesses whether there is an underlying cause worth investigating, and gives honest advice about what treatment can realistically achieve.

The most common medical cause is polycystic ovary syndrome, and other causes include certain medicines and, less commonly, hormonal conditions affecting the adrenal glands or thyroid. In many women no specific cause is found. Features that suggest investigation is needed include hair growth that has come on quickly over months rather than years, a deepening voice, hair loss from the scalp in a male pattern, irregular or absent periods, acne, weight gain around the middle or difficulty conceiving. Where treatment is appropriate, a topical treatment applied to the face can slow the rate of regrowth, works only while it continues to be used, typically takes around eight weeks before any difference is noticeable, and works best alongside your usual hair removal rather than instead of it.

What hirsutism is and what can cause it

Hirsutism means coarse, dark hair growing in a male pattern on the face and body, most often on the upper lip, chin, jawline, chest and abdomen, and it is different from the fine, light hair that everyone has. It affects a meaningful proportion of women and can be genuinely distressing, and normal varies a lot between individuals and between family backgrounds.

The most common medical cause is polycystic ovary syndrome, and other causes include certain medicines and, less commonly, hormonal conditions affecting the adrenal glands or thyroid. In many women no specific cause is found. Features that suggest investigation is needed include hair growth that has come on quickly over months rather than years, a deepening voice, hair loss from the scalp in a male pattern, irregular or absent periods, acne, weight gain around the middle or difficulty conceiving.

Who this service is for

How it works

A simple, consistent process for every service at Berkeley Pharmacy.

What to expect at your appointment

Your consultation is private and unhurried, with a pharmacist who treats nothing as trivial. We ask questions only because they help us decide whether this looks like a normal variation or something worth investigating.

• A private, unhurried consultation with a pharmacist, where nothing is treated as trivial
• Questions about when the hair growth started, how quickly it developed, your periods, weight, skin, family history and any medicines
• An honest assessment of whether this looks like a normal variation or something worth investigating
• Referral to your GP for blood tests where that is appropriate, with a clear explanation of why
• Where treatment is suitable, a discussion of the options and realistic expectations
• Practical advice on hair removal methods and skin care

Aftercare and realistic expectations

Give any treatment at least two months before judging it, and keep using your normal hair removal in the meantime, since a topical treatment typically takes around eight weeks before any difference is noticeable and works best alongside your usual hair removal rather than instead of it.

• Give any treatment at least two months before judging it, and keep using your normal hair removal in the meantime
• Apply topical treatment only as directed and avoid broken or irritated skin
• Be gentle with the skin, since aggressive removal methods can cause ingrown hairs, irritation and pigmentation, particularly on darker skin
• If you have been referred for blood tests, please go, as PCOS is worth diagnosing because it has implications for long term health as well as for fertility
• Come back to us if the pattern changes or if things get worse

Frequently asked questions

How we can supply treatment without a GP appointment

Some treatments at Berkeley Pharmacy are supplied under a Patient Group Direction, or PGD – a written instruction, signed by a doctor and a pharmacist, that legally allows our trained pharmacists to supply and administer specified medicines to people who meet defined clinical criteria, without a prescription from your GP. If you do not meet the criteria set out in the PGD we cannot supply the treatment, and we will explain why and advise you on the best next step. Our pharmacists also work as independent prescribers where that is appropriate.

Serving Berkeley and the surrounding Gloucestershire villages

Berkeley Pharmacy is on Market Place in the centre of Berkeley, with easy access from junctions 13 and 14 of the M5. We welcome patients from Berkeley, Sharpness, Newport, Berkeley Heath, Alkington, Ham, Stone and Rockhampton, and we are a short drive from Cam, Dursley, Slimbridge, Cambridge, Falfield, Charfield, Tortworth, Cromhall, Oldbury-on-Severn, Wotton-under-Edge, Thornbury, Frampton on Severn and Stonehouse. Patients also travel to us from Stroud, Nailsworth, Yate, Chipping Sodbury, Tetbury and Gloucester.

• Berkeley
• Sharpness
• Newport
• Berkeley Heath
• Alkington
• Ham
• Stone
• Rockhampton
• Cam
• Dursley
• Slimbridge
• Cambridge
• Falfield
• Charfield
• Tortworth
• Cromhall
• Oldbury-on-Severn
• Wotton-under-Edge
• Thornbury
• Frampton on Severn
• Stonehouse
• Stroud
• Nailsworth
• Yate
• Chipping Sodbury
• Tetbury
• Gloucester

Safe, regulated care from your local pharmacy team

• Berkeley Pharmacy is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council. You can check any pharmacy or pharmacist on the GPhC register at pharmacyregulation.org.
• Every consultation is face to face and private, in our dedicated consultation room – not an online questionnaire.
• Serving the Berkeley community for over 25 years.
• This service does not replace care from your GP. With your consent we will inform your GP of any treatment provided. If you are unwell, have new or worsening symptoms, or need urgent care, contact your GP or NHS 111, and in an emergency call 999.
• If you experience a side effect from any medicine you can report it through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk.

Page last reviewed: September 2026. Next review due: September 2027.

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Speak to our pharmacy team about unwanted facial hair consultation

Visit us in Berkeley or get in touch to arrange a private consultation with our pharmacist.

Book a consultation Call 01453 810316

Address

14 Market Place, Berkeley, GL13 9BB

Opening hours

Mon–Fri 9am–6pm (closed 1–2pm)

Sat 9am–1pm

Sun Closed