What Is That Random Dark Hair?
Medically reviewed by Susan Bard, MD
Random dark, coarse hairs often pop up on the chin, but you can have them anywhere: the arms, belly button, chest, chin, neck, and more. It's usually nothing to worry about. Most people have at least one dark hair somewhere on their bodies, and some are normal.
What causes these single dark hairs to pop up on your skin? Some of the most common causes include hormonal shifts or genetics. Certain hormonal disorders might result in excess hair growth. Read on to learn why you might get random black hairs on your chin and other body parts.
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Related: What Causes a Toenail to Turn Black?
What Causes Random Dark Hairs?
It's absolutely normal to have a random dark hair on your chin or any part of your body, for that matter. You can find vellus hair on most of your body, save for places like the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet. Vellus hair, commonly called "peach fuzz," is fine and lightly colored. This hair helps regulate your body temperature.
Hormonal shifts or genetics can sometimes cause a couple of these peach-colored hairs to stand out. They might appear thicker, darker, or coarser than usual.
Changes in Hormones
Vellus hair follicles enlarge throughout puberty. Increasing amounts of androgens, or male sex hormones, kickstart the growth of dark, coarse hair.
These hairs may become more prominent during other hormonal shifts, including during pregnancy or the months leading up to menopause. Hair growth often happens during pregnancy due to high levels of estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin, among other growth factors.
Excess facial hair is also not uncommon for postmenopausal people due to high androgen levels. The body produces less and less estrogen and progesterone during menopause, which typically begins around age 50. The decline of estrogen and progesterone is the culprit of several menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes, vaginal atrophy (drying and thinning of the vagina), as well as hair growth.
If you are postmenopausal, you may also notice a couple of dark, coarse hairs on your chin, neck, or upper lip due to an imbalance of sex hormones. Estrogen and progesterone steadily decrease during menopause, but the amount of androgen stays the same, possibly stimulating hair growth.
Genetics
People assigned male at birth often have more dark, coarse hair on their chins, armpits, and chests than people assigned female. Everyone produces androgens, but the males produce more than the females.
Symptoms that may indicate your ovaries are producing excess androgens include:
Amenorrhea, or an absence of menstrual bleeding
An increase of sebum (oil) on the skin
Changes in your body shape (e.g., smaller breasts and larger muscle mass)
Deepening of the voice
The overall balance of sex hormones, including androgen, is partially determined by your genes. Some evidence suggests that genetic variations in ovarian cells, which occur in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), can cause excess androgens. PCOS is a hormonal disorder that causes symptoms like acne, excess hair growth, and weight gain.
Health Conditions
Excess androgen can sometimes indicate a health condition that requires treatment. A couple of dark, coarse hairs are generally normal. In contrast, excess hair growth in places where hair does not usually grow may be a sign of hirsutism.
Hirsutism is the growth of dark, coarse hair, typically resembling male-pattern hair growth on the face, chest, back, and lower abdomen. Several health conditions may cause hirsutism.
Androgen-Secreting Tumors
Although rare, androgen-secreting tumors may cause stereotypically male characteristics, including dark, coarse hair growth. Other symptoms include:
An enlarged clitoris
Deepening of the voice
Irregular menstrual bleeding
Weight gain
You may undergo surgery to remove the tumor. People who do not desire fertility might receive a total hysterectomy, or removal of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries.
Cushing's Syndrome
Cushing's syndrome is a hormonal disorder that causes high levels of the hormone cortisol. Some people with autoimmune disorders, like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or multiple sclerosis (MS), take glucocorticoids to fight inflammation. Overexposure to this synthetic form of cortisol for long periods increases the risk of Cushing's syndrome.
People who develop Cushing's syndrome may notice excess hair growth or an absence of menstrual bleeding. Other symptoms include:
A fatty hump near the base of the neck and between the shoulders
Bruising
Changes in body weight, especially weight gain in the abdominal region and weight loss in the arms and legs
Loss of muscle mass
Purple stretch marks
Talk to a healthcare provider about a lab test to check your hormone levels if you have these symptoms. Treatments involve lowering cortisol levels in your body, including reducing the dose of glucocorticoids.
Non-Classical Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (NCAH)
Non-classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NCAH) is a mild form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). CAH is a group of genetic disorders that impair the adrenal glands.
These glands are located above your kidneys and produce several hormones. The adrenal glands help regulate blood pressure, activate your "fight-or-flight" response during stress, and influence puberty.
People with NCAH typically do not demonstrate symptoms of the condition until they reach puberty. Adolescent girls usually reach puberty earlier than average, experience excess hair growth, and have irregular periods. Treatments include hormonal birth control pills to regulate the menstrual cycle and steroids.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS is a hormonal disorder that gets its name from the cysts in the ovaries of some people. Cysts are fluid-filled sacs that form when an immature egg does not develop and release during ovulation.
Some people with PCOS develop insulin resistance, which increases the risk of type 2 diabetes. Insulin is a hormone that helps move glucose (sugar) into cells. Androgen levels may rise if the body cannot properly use insulin.
Other common PCOS symptoms include:
Abnormal menstrual bleeding (e.g., irregular or light periods)
Acne
Amenorrhea
An increase of sebum on the skin
Dark, thick patches of skin
Infertility
Male-pattern baldness
Weight gain
Consult a healthcare provider if you have these symptoms. Diagnostic tests include an ultrasound of the ovaries or blood tests to check androgen levels. Treatments include lifestyle changes to prevent type 2 diabetes and hormonal birth control pills to regulate the menstrual cycle.
Hair Removal Options
Hair removal is a choice and not medically necessary. Everyone has hair on almost every body part, and it's totally normal.
You have several safe ways to remove hair if you decide to do so. These include:
Depilatories
Electrolysis
Prescription topicals
Shaving
Threading
Tweezing
Waxing
You can shave, tweeze, wax, or use depilatories or prescription topicals to remove your hair at home. Just remember to be careful. You can also visit a professional to receive waxing, threading, laser hair removal, or electrolysis. Do not worry about the hair growing back even darker or coarser than before. This rumor is not true, contrary to popular belief.
When To Contact a Healthcare Provider
A random dark, coarse hair, as well as hirsutism, is usually not cause for concern. Talk to a healthcare provider if you develop:
Acne
Deepening of the voice
Enlarged clitoris
Increased muscle mass
Rapid hair growth
Reduced breast size
Some people may be self-conscious about hair growth. If you think hair growth is a side effect of a medication or an underlying health problem, contact a healthcare provider.
Related: What Are Skin Tags?
A Quick Review
Having one particularly dark, coarse hair on your body is not unusual. These hairs typically pop up due to hormonal changes, in response to pregnancy or menopause, or if you are genetically predisposed to having slightly higher androgen levels than average. If you choose, safe ways to remove hair exist. For example, you can try shaving, waxing, threading, or laser hair removal.
Excess androgen can sometimes indicate a health condition, like androgen-secreting tumors, Cushing's syndrome, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), that requires treatment. Consult a healthcare provider if you are concerned about excess hair growth.
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