Facial Hair and females

2015-01-01T15:51:33-05:00

Now I did not know if it was a regulation or not for women to shave their face but if there isn't I believe there should be because I've seen female soldiers with blonde mustaches growing and it is unprofessional and they don't get called out for it, however us males are required to shave every duty day. So why shouldn't females as well? What are your thoughts?
(This topic is not trying to involve sexism, just pointing out something)

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2015 3:54 PM

2015-01-01T15:54:15-05:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member Females are not required to shave their face and it is not considered unprofessional. My thoughts are that whatever amount of hair a female may have on their face will not impede a pro-mask from sealing against their face. And that is the primary reason males are required to shave. Secondary reason is, it presents a professional appearance.

SPC Private RallyPoint Member here are more thoughts:
The condition is called hirsutism,and is not uncommon and can be treated.

Why does hair grow so extensively on a man’s face? Each hair grows out of a little pit in the skin called a follicle. Cells that live in the base of that pit cause the hair to form when androgens (“male” hormones) in the blood reach those cells. So two things are required: androgens in the blood, and cells that respond to androgens by making hairs.

Why would hair grow on some women’s faces the way it grows on most men’s faces? Because men and women are not as different as you might think. Women actually have measurable amounts of androgens in their blood. The levels are much lower than they are in a man’s blood, but they are present. And the cells in the hair follicles on a woman’s face also make hairs in response to androgens.

When a woman has unusually high levels of androgens in the blood, she can start to grow hair in places that most women don’t. Such hair growth may also be caused by cells in the hair follicles that are more easily stimulated by androgens to make hairs, even when androgen levels are normal.

In some cases, the extra androgen comes from medications. Some birth control pills as well as certain steroids contain androgens, or have effects similar to androgens. Other drugs indirectly cause the body to make extra androgen hormones; these include some medicines to treat schizophrenia, seizures, migraine headaches, bipolar disorder and high blood pressure.

Occasionally, an abnormality in the ovaries, the adrenal glands or the pituitary gland can cause overproduction of androgens. One such (common) condition is polycystic ovarian syndrome. Your doctor can rule out these causes with various blood tests.

If your doctor diagnoses a specific cause, he or she can suggest appropriate treatment. For example, the rare tumors that produce androgen hormones can be treated with surgery, radiation or both.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2015 7:05 AM

2015-05-06T07:05:49-04:00

The standard should be as equal across the board as possible. There will always be a few areas that will separate Males from Females. However the removal of facial hair is one of those things that has a non-gender based reason. As stated above we shave to put on the Pro Mask. If Females who have facial hair are not required to be clean shaven, or have moustaches within regulation why wouldn't exceptions be made equally for Males.

Response by SSG Greg Miech made Dec 28 at 2020 11:20 PM

2020-12-28T23:20:58-05:00

I think the good general appearance clause covers most of what is not specified. But I am sure a tactful and discrete comment will set the person to correct themselves.

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2022-05-27T03:18:33-04:00

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Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2023 7:13 AM

2023-05-02T07:13:33-04:00

What about transgender Soldiers? A male who is a woman might grow a full beard. Probably not an issue at the moment.