Women should not be made to feel like a freak for having facial hair, according to one woman who has learned to embrace it. 

While most women may not grow a long beard or easily visible moustaches, they still grow hair all over their body – including their face. 

Irish Independent Journalist Azmia Riaz said she had the equivalent of a “five o’clock shadow” when she first began having her period at the age of 12. 

“I didn’t really know how to handle it,” she told Moncrieff. “I had not seen a single other girl in my class with facial hair, so it was insane. 

“Obviously everyone's focused on themselves when you're in school, but I felt like everyone was watching.” 

Ms Riaz said her female family members had practiced facial hair removal but did not talk about it with each other. 

“It was a little tradition – they’d use tweezers and they do it for each other,” she said. “But it wasn't something you spoke about.” 

'I've tried everything'

Ms Riaz was diagnosed with PCOS at age 15 and was given ointments that helped prevent regular facial hair growth – but she was still extremely conscious of her face. 

“I've tried everything that was available. But because it's hormonal, it's not going to help you in the same way,” she said. 

“I read some American celebrity bleached her moustache and I was like, ‘I'm going to try this out’. 

“But obviously I have brown skin, so every time the sun would be on my face, it was horrible. 

“I had a little nickname ‘Golden Whiskers’.” 

While her facial hair doesn’t feel “natural” to her yet, Ms Riaz is becoming more comfortable with and without it. 

Woman with upper lip hair. Image: Prostock-studio / Alamy Stock Photo

“It's actually pretty normal,” she said. “Especially now that I think we're having a little more of a conversation about women having hair on their face. 

“We have celebrities like Adele who admitted to having facial hair, which to me was a lot at the time. 

“It’s not a freak accident to have it.” 

Ms Riaz continues to use a safe razor twice or three times a week – she warned from experience normal body razors can lead to cuts and ingrown hairs. 

She is happy to share her tips on hair removal with women that ask but would never force her advice on someone following her own experience with criticisms. 

“I'm not going to bring up something that they can't change about themselves,” she said.  

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