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A TikToker Shares Her Experience With Hirsutism In Hopes Of Raising Awareness And Educating People On The Condition

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Acceptance is all the rage these days. Everywhere you look, social norms, beauty standards, and ‘taboos’ are being challenged. Especially in regards to body image and cultural expectations about the ways beautiful women present themselves in public.

After all, we live in a free, individualistic society, and there should be no pressure to conform to unnatural or unrealistic ‘standards’ that were consolidated under an outdated patriarchal system. However, for the more conservative among us, these changes and challenges are happening so quickly that they can become disorienting. Perhaps there are more and deeper issues than body hair we should all be focusing on?

While hair might be involved, sometimes one has to look beyond the image to understand something on a deeper level. Given all of that, TikToker Nellie-Jean Robinson decided to use her platform to educate people and raise awareness for the certain condition she suffers from.

More info: tiktok.com | Instagram

TikToker Nellie-Jean Robinson is a 35-year-old banker from Florida who recently went viral for one of her videos about hirsutism

A TikToker Shares Her Experience With Hirsutism In Hopes Of Raising Awareness And Educating People On The Condition

Image credits: bermybeauty85

Hirsutism is a hormonal condition that spurs thick, dark hair on women’s faces and upper bodies

A TikToker Shares Her Experience With Hirsutism In Hopes Of Raising Awareness And Educating People On The Condition

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Image credits: bermybeauty85

The condition is also particularly common in women of color, and it is often a side effect of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

A TikToker Shares Her Experience With Hirsutism In Hopes Of Raising Awareness And Educating People On The Condition

Image credits: bermybeauty85

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common health condition that affects 8-13% of women of reproductive age. It is more common in some high-risk groups, such as Indigenous women. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) happens when a woman’s ovaries or adrenal glands produce more male hormones than normal.

Nellie shared the story about her condition in a video on TikTok for the first time ever and it went viral

A TikToker Shares Her Experience With Hirsutism In Hopes Of Raising Awareness And Educating People On The Condition

Image credits: bermybeauty85

She sought to bring awareness about women that are suffering from the said condition whilst sharing her story as well

A TikToker Shares Her Experience With Hirsutism In Hopes Of Raising Awareness And Educating People On The Condition

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Image credits: bermybeauty85

Her video gained over 14 million views in a few days

A TikToker Shares Her Experience With Hirsutism In Hopes Of Raising Awareness And Educating People On The Condition

Image credits: bermybeauty85

Right now, Robinson is documenting her journey on both TikTok and Instagram

A TikToker Shares Her Experience With Hirsutism In Hopes Of Raising Awareness And Educating People On The Condition

Image credits: bermybeauty85

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She said she hopes to help other women and girls who may be affected by the condition

A TikToker Shares Her Experience With Hirsutism In Hopes Of Raising Awareness And Educating People On The Condition

Image credits: bermybeauty85

Thanks to Nellie, a lot of other women also chose to share their own experiences with the condition

A TikToker Shares Her Experience With Hirsutism In Hopes Of Raising Awareness And Educating People On The Condition

Image credits: bermybeauty85

As of right now, Robinson hopes to help change the negative attitudes toward women with facial hair as well as educate more people with her videos

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A TikToker Shares Her Experience With Hirsutism In Hopes Of Raising Awareness And Educating People On The Condition

Image credits: bermybeauty85

20Kviews

Hidrėlėy

Fascinated by music, movies and sitcoms, I'm passionate about social media and can't live without the internet, especially for all the cute dog and cat pictures out there. I wish the day had about 40 hours to be able to do everything I want.

Fascinated by music, movies and sitcoms, I'm passionate about social media and can't live without the internet, especially for all the cute dog and cat pictures out there. I wish the day had about 40 hours to be able to do everything I want.

Diana Lopetaitė

Hey there, Pandas! My name is Diana (though some prefer to refer to me as Diane, Deanna, and even Liana sometimes), and I am a Community Post Moderator Lead for Bored Panda. As my position title states, I am one of the people (employed Pandas for bamboo) over here who work with the community side of things on this website to ensure all is well, and while at that, I also help various creators and artists get recognition for the incredible work they do by connecting them to a large worldwide audience. Other than that, outside of work, you can find me brewing a nice cup of coffee, making a pizza from scratch, or baking brownies. I also love traveling, concerts, and cats (heavy on that, because I am a cat mom).

Hey there, Pandas! My name is Diana (though some prefer to refer to me as Diane, Deanna, and even Liana sometimes), and I am a Community Post Moderator Lead for Bored Panda. As my position title states, I am one of the people (employed Pandas for bamboo) over here who work with the community side of things on this website to ensure all is well, and while at that, I also help various creators and artists get recognition for the incredible work they do by connecting them to a large worldwide audience. Other than that, outside of work, you can find me brewing a nice cup of coffee, making a pizza from scratch, or baking brownies. I also love traveling, concerts, and cats (heavy on that, because I am a cat mom).

What do you think ?

Lotus Flower 3 years ago

I have severe PCOS and it took years to get my hirsutism under control. This is not your typical hair growth, so recommendations are great but often don’t work. It’s thick, resilient, does not follow typical hair growth. I’ve done dozens of laser treatments, waxing, shots, creams, meds... finally I settled on shaving head to toe everyday that works better. Honestly, now that I’m in my forties the hair is turning white/clear and that’s been more helpful than anything.

27points

$fracarr avatar$

François Carré 3 years ago

While I understand perfectly that women with facial hair will prefer removing it to make their life easier, I think it could be made socially acceptable as any other physical feature. I mean, she looks really cool with or without facial hair. It can go along with a strong personality, like in the history of this famous French lady : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cl%C3%A9mentine_Delait

27points

Lotus Flower 3 years ago

Thank you for saying this. PCOS causes weight gain, acne, cysts but the hirsutism is the hardest because it’s most visible and ppl are mean. Grateful for your perspective.

28points

Load More Replies...

Aeon Flux 3 years ago

I understand what you're saying; I'm a Frida Kahlo fan, for example. But I disagree. It's easy to say something like this when you're not the person who has to live with constantly being looked at and told that her body is ugly or freakish. It shouldn't be the responsibility of the person born with this condition to change people's minds.

2points

Joseph Cheung 3 years ago

I think something being "socially acceptable" is different from being considered "cool" or "attractive. Like, I would say I wish her having a beard would be accepted like a man having one, but, even having a beard as a man, preferences are not universal and they shave too, or alter/groom their beard to look a certain way to be acceptable. PS, the woman you linked was a spectacle, aka rare, and received attention people may not want.

0points

somnomania 3 years ago

there was some great concept art that came out of the first movie of the hobbit trilogy of female dwarves, who have these gorgeous beards full of jewelry. obviously not everyone with PCOS/hirsutism have full beards, but i'd love to see more people really leaning into it like that!

0points

Cooper Lemley 3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Giovanna 3 years ago

I think laser is the way to go here. I have friends who struggled with thick leg hair their entire life, and got completely rid of them with laser sessions

9points

Mari Ng 3 years ago

And/or self-acceptance

27points

Load More Replies...

Marie 3 years ago

Yes, but laser works the best for dark hairs/light skin. It targets melanin, so it can have side effects when done on darker skin, it's not impossible, but needs to be done by a real specialist (and it will likely be much much more expensive).

13points

Lotus Flower 3 years ago

Due to PCOS hirsutism is more than hair growth, it’s the type of growth, thickness etc that causes it to be really hard to treat. Dozens of laser treatments over 20 yrs have made no difference to those of us w PCOS. It is a temporary help but nothing long term. Usually a prescription cream helps but when it’s all over your body it’s harder to treat.

9points

janel jones 3 years ago

Laser removal can be very expensive and you have to do many treatments. Also on skin with more melanin it can leave other side affects.

2points

Zaza 3 years ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

El Dee 3 years ago

Well done for being so open. It's more common than you'd think and women are made to feel ashamed. There's also a woman in England who is quite high profile with her hirsutism. She decided to 'own' it and has allowed her facial hair to grow. She is still a beautiful young woman..

6points

Patsy 3 years ago

Is that the same woman who was on Tattoo Fixers? (I'm making an ass out of u and me and assuming you're English) because she is absolutely stunning, and the fact that she has owned her facial hair is so amazing.

0points

Load More Replies...

Toko Danganronpa 3 years ago

This is nice :)

5points

Hermione 3 years ago

How did she get rid of the facial hair?

2points

Cactus Mother 3 years ago

I spend at least an hour or two plucking mine... everyday. You get the occasional ingrowing one which leads to huge spot and then eventually a little home facial surgery is in order. It is the biggest pain in my life but I refuse to shave my face knowing it will just get worse.

8points

Load More Replies...

Daniel (ShadowDrakken) 3 years ago

Partner and I are dealing with similar, but here's the twist... PCOS is a common misdiagnosis of CAH, because they both cause some similar issues; infertility, weight gain, diabetes, excess androgens leading to unpleasant hair... So to the ladies out there with PCOS, if your treatments all seem to be failing, take a look at CAH.

2points

Mimi M 3 years ago

FYI: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia

1point

Load More Replies...

Sarah Kathrin Matsoukis 3 years ago

I wish I could wax my face...but I grow really thick beard hair and my skin is sensitive, I just bleed. and the pain, Jesus.

0points

Gabby M 3 years ago

I appreciate her bravery.

0points

Meeow 3 years ago

I love her story and she's beautiful.

0points

Mazer 3 years ago

Thank you for the education!! Learned something today which I hope will make me a better person.

0points

Car addict 3 years ago

ik this is going to get tons of downvotes but cant you just shave before it comes back or did i miss something while reading

0points

Hermien Scholten 3 years ago

thick dark hair starts showing up again just hours after shaving

24points

Load More Replies...

Aria Whitaker 3 years ago

If she is anything like my dad, she may have issues with severe razor burn/ razor bumps from shaving, which is common among many Black males (and females I guess) due to the way the hair grows. Black hair is often super curly and can be coarse...so the hair does not grow straight out of the face, but curls back into the skin causing unsightly and painful ingrown hairs, burn, and sometimes infections. Most black men that I know do not "shave" per se...they use clippers and cut the hair very low.

14points

Bettina Falconer 3 years ago

Shaving can cause rashes and ingrown hairs ..also it would start coming through almost within hours ..and also leaves a shadow as the hair is so corse .. hope this helps

12points

Foxxy (The Original) 3 years ago

It grows back so quickly and is very course and thick. My aunt had it and she shaved everyday and even then by the end of each day she would already be showing a "5 o'clock shadow". She also went through so many razors because they would go blunt quick.

4points

Joseph Cheung 3 years ago

To the people saying "accept yourself". Do you SHAVE???

-1point

Doubleheader 3 years ago

Only when I feel like it. xD It's your body, and you should do whatever you want with it. Body hair is completely normal for a human being to have!

0points

Load More Replies...

Lotus Flower 3 years ago

I have severe PCOS and it took years to get my hirsutism under control. This is not your typical hair growth, so recommendations are great but often don’t work. It’s thick, resilient, does not follow typical hair growth. I’ve done dozens of laser treatments, waxing, shots, creams, meds... finally I settled on shaving head to toe everyday that works better. Honestly, now that I’m in my forties the hair is turning white/clear and that’s been more helpful than anything.

27points

$fracarr avatar$

François Carré 3 years ago

While I understand perfectly that women with facial hair will prefer removing it to make their life easier, I think it could be made socially acceptable as any other physical feature. I mean, she looks really cool with or without facial hair. It can go along with a strong personality, like in the history of this famous French lady : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cl%C3%A9mentine_Delait

27points

Lotus Flower 3 years ago

Thank you for saying this. PCOS causes weight gain, acne, cysts but the hirsutism is the hardest because it’s most visible and ppl are mean. Grateful for your perspective.

28points

Load More Replies...

Aeon Flux 3 years ago

I understand what you're saying; I'm a Frida Kahlo fan, for example. But I disagree. It's easy to say something like this when you're not the person who has to live with constantly being looked at and told that her body is ugly or freakish. It shouldn't be the responsibility of the person born with this condition to change people's minds.

2points

Joseph Cheung 3 years ago

I think something being "socially acceptable" is different from being considered "cool" or "attractive. Like, I would say I wish her having a beard would be accepted like a man having one, but, even having a beard as a man, preferences are not universal and they shave too, or alter/groom their beard to look a certain way to be acceptable. PS, the woman you linked was a spectacle, aka rare, and received attention people may not want.

0points

somnomania 3 years ago

there was some great concept art that came out of the first movie of the hobbit trilogy of female dwarves, who have these gorgeous beards full of jewelry. obviously not everyone with PCOS/hirsutism have full beards, but i'd love to see more people really leaning into it like that!

0points

Cooper Lemley 3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Giovanna 3 years ago

I think laser is the way to go here. I have friends who struggled with thick leg hair their entire life, and got completely rid of them with laser sessions

9points

Mari Ng 3 years ago

And/or self-acceptance

27points

Load More Replies...

Marie 3 years ago

Yes, but laser works the best for dark hairs/light skin. It targets melanin, so it can have side effects when done on darker skin, it's not impossible, but needs to be done by a real specialist (and it will likely be much much more expensive).

13points

Lotus Flower 3 years ago

Due to PCOS hirsutism is more than hair growth, it’s the type of growth, thickness etc that causes it to be really hard to treat. Dozens of laser treatments over 20 yrs have made no difference to those of us w PCOS. It is a temporary help but nothing long term. Usually a prescription cream helps but when it’s all over your body it’s harder to treat.

9points

janel jones 3 years ago

Laser removal can be very expensive and you have to do many treatments. Also on skin with more melanin it can leave other side affects.

2points

Zaza 3 years ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

El Dee 3 years ago

Well done for being so open. It's more common than you'd think and women are made to feel ashamed. There's also a woman in England who is quite high profile with her hirsutism. She decided to 'own' it and has allowed her facial hair to grow. She is still a beautiful young woman..

6points

Patsy 3 years ago

Is that the same woman who was on Tattoo Fixers? (I'm making an ass out of u and me and assuming you're English) because she is absolutely stunning, and the fact that she has owned her facial hair is so amazing.

0points

Load More Replies...

Toko Danganronpa 3 years ago

This is nice :)

5points

Hermione 3 years ago

How did she get rid of the facial hair?

2points

Cactus Mother 3 years ago

I spend at least an hour or two plucking mine... everyday. You get the occasional ingrowing one which leads to huge spot and then eventually a little home facial surgery is in order. It is the biggest pain in my life but I refuse to shave my face knowing it will just get worse.

8points

Load More Replies...

Daniel (ShadowDrakken) 3 years ago

Partner and I are dealing with similar, but here's the twist... PCOS is a common misdiagnosis of CAH, because they both cause some similar issues; infertility, weight gain, diabetes, excess androgens leading to unpleasant hair... So to the ladies out there with PCOS, if your treatments all seem to be failing, take a look at CAH.

2points

Mimi M 3 years ago

FYI: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia

1point

Load More Replies...

Sarah Kathrin Matsoukis 3 years ago

I wish I could wax my face...but I grow really thick beard hair and my skin is sensitive, I just bleed. and the pain, Jesus.

0points

Gabby M 3 years ago

I appreciate her bravery.

0points

Meeow 3 years ago

I love her story and she's beautiful.

0points

Mazer 3 years ago

Thank you for the education!! Learned something today which I hope will make me a better person.

0points

Car addict 3 years ago

ik this is going to get tons of downvotes but cant you just shave before it comes back or did i miss something while reading

0points

Hermien Scholten 3 years ago

thick dark hair starts showing up again just hours after shaving

24points

Load More Replies...

Aria Whitaker 3 years ago

If she is anything like my dad, she may have issues with severe razor burn/ razor bumps from shaving, which is common among many Black males (and females I guess) due to the way the hair grows. Black hair is often super curly and can be coarse...so the hair does not grow straight out of the face, but curls back into the skin causing unsightly and painful ingrown hairs, burn, and sometimes infections. Most black men that I know do not "shave" per se...they use clippers and cut the hair very low.

14points

Bettina Falconer 3 years ago

Shaving can cause rashes and ingrown hairs ..also it would start coming through almost within hours ..and also leaves a shadow as the hair is so corse .. hope this helps

12points

Foxxy (The Original) 3 years ago

It grows back so quickly and is very course and thick. My aunt had it and she shaved everyday and even then by the end of each day she would already be showing a "5 o'clock shadow". She also went through so many razors because they would go blunt quick.

4points

Joseph Cheung 3 years ago

To the people saying "accept yourself". Do you SHAVE???

-1point

Doubleheader 3 years ago

Only when I feel like it. xD It's your body, and you should do whatever you want with it. Body hair is completely normal for a human being to have!

0points

Load More Replies...

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