Hirsutism is defined as a condition involving excessive body hair growth in

females, including the face and chest. Due to the appearance and noticeability of
the condition, hirsutism is often a source of psychological distress for patients,
having been associated with anxiety and depression.
Current treatments for excess facial hair include the use of depilatories,
bleaching, and electrolysis, however shaving is considered a safer and more
inexpensive method. Waxing and tweezing may lead to adverse reactions
including ingrown hairs and infections.
Androgenic effects on hair follicle growth are a popular focus within literature.
Estrogens however can also alter the hair cycle to delay hair growth. Tamoxifen,
a selective estrogen-receptor modulator, is commonly used in breast cancer as a
competitive estrogen antagonist. It acts as an estrogen agonist elsewhere in the
body however, including in bone, liver, and endometrial tissue, and has been
found to be effective in the treatment of psoriasis, cutaneous melanoma, and
keloid and abnormal hypertrophic scars. When used as a topical application, the
action of tamoxifen causes a surge in estrogen, resulting in follicular dystrophy
and causing hair follicle arrest in the telogen phase.