A WOMAN with a beard who gets constant stares in public and verbal abuse online is hitting back at trolls by embracing her facial hair.
Khosi Nkanyezi Buthelezi has been aware of her excessive hair ever since she was a teenager, noticing the growth on her face, chest, back, arms and legs.
The now 42-year-old says she didn't view it as a concern growing up due to other female family members also being hairier than usual.
But late last year, curious to get answers from a professional, she went to see a doctor.
She also has a TikTok account, sharing her experiences with people online to tackle stigma.
“I grew up accustomed to hairy women like my aunts being seen as blessed, strong and strict so I figured it was something I had inherited,” Khosi, a freelance book editor, from Johannesburg, South Africa, told http://NeedToKnow.co.uk.
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“Hence, I never approached a doctor about my body hair, I had no physical issues.
“But when I finally visited my GP, they suggested hormone-level tests for fertility and PCOS.
“However, they both came back negative.
“I could have children if I wanted to and there was no need for hormonal treatment, it all seemed fine.”
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However, the doctor did tell Khosi that she might have hirsutism, a condition that causes excess hair to grow on certain parts of your body, mostly affecting women.
She said: “I’d never heard of it before, but it did make sense.
“I remember talking to my family members about it, who warned me that shaving would cause it to grow more, but I thought that was just a myth.
“Plus, the nature of my job required me to be presentable, so I began razor-shaving weekly.
“But the more I shaved it, the more it grew.
“Then I tried waxing, but it proved to be both costly and painful.”
Khosi decided to try laser hair removal treatment instead, which worked for a while, but the hair soon came back with force.
She said: “After 10 sessions, the hair became finer and my skin was smooth.
“I was convinced it worked.
“However, when I stopped for a year the hair started growing back and I had to go back to razor shaving.”
Instead of fighting against her facial hair, Khosi decided to embrace it.
She said: ”I stopped shaving and instead, started to love myself.
“I learned that self-acceptance is a crucial aspect of self-care.
“It is the foundation for our confidence and self-esteem.
“I’ve had to remember that beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, and forms, and I am bringing body hair to the beauty equation.”
However, it has not been an easy journey with people sharing unwanted comments in public and online.
Khosi said: “People in public have reacted with shock, fascination, disgust and disapproval of my beard, but I am actively working on unlearning the need for external validation.
“Unfortunately, people can be judgmental and cruel towards someone who looks different in some way, so, it's important to remember that their opinions and comments do not define my worth.
“I walk around anywhere and everywhere including the mall, restaurants, and events and I have learned to ignore stares and comments as much as possible.
“If someone is particularly rude or offensive, I speak up and assert boundaries.
“I deserve respect and dignity.
“One guy stated that I just need a penis and that I’m a male.
“Now, I take great pride in my facial hair and incorporate beard maintenance into my daily hygiene routine.
“I do wish that it was softer but due to my thick, curly hair, it appears like a dense bush despite having long strands.
“But now I am so accustomed to it that I often forget I have hair on my face!
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“Ultimately, it is up to me to decide how I want to present and express myself and whether or not I want to keep the beard.
“It has become an important part of my identity.”
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