Have you experienced the growth of hair that seems thicker than usual? You may have noticed that it is not a single hair but two hairs growing in one follicle. This phenomenon is known as pili multigemini. It is fairly common in children’s and adult scalps and in men’s beards. It can be irritating and sometimes concerning in pubic and armpit areas, especially after shaving or waxing.
Table of Contents:
- Part 1: How Can Two Hairs Grow In One Follicle?
- Part 2: Causes: Why Do Two Hairs Grow In One Follicle?
- Part 3: How Do You Get Rid Of Growth Of Multiple Hairs In One Follicle?
- Part 4: Setting The Ipl Energy Levels For Pili Multigemini In Males And Females
- Part 5: Precautions
- Part 6: FAQ
How Can Two Hairs Grow In One Follicle?
Pili multigemini is a condition in which multiple hairs grow from a single hair follicle. Unlike the normal growth of one hair shaft emerging from each follicle, in pili, multigemini follicles can produce two, three, or even more hairs. Thus, the condition occurs due to the partial division of the hair matrix at the base of the hair follicle.
Mechanism
Hair follicles consist of multiple layers and appear just like an onion bulb. This follicle bulb is known as the hair matrix, which contains papillary tips that are responsible for producing the shafts of the hair. Because of an unknown reason, in pili multigemini, the hair matrix splits into multiple shafts, and the papillary tips start making twin hairs. This results in the growth of two or more hairs from the same follicle.
Causes: Why Do Two Hairs Grow In One Follicle?
Two hairs growing in one follicle is a common phenomenon that is seen mostly in the armpits and pubic areas of both males and females. If you examine closely, you may be having some of these in any area of your body right now without causing any signs or symptoms. Scientific evidence is unable to find any absolute cause of pili multigemini but there are some factors that can trigger this response in a follicle cell.
Hormonal Fluctuations
Hormonal fluctuations during puberty in males and hormonal changes during pregnancy, PCOS, puberty, or menopause can trigger the hair follicles in females, stimulating the growth of two hairs in one follicle.
Growth hormones (GH), Testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and thyroid hormones (thyroxine and triiodothyronine) are responsible for triggering the growth of coarse hairs in one follicle in males.
Skin conditions
Skin conditions, such as folliculitis, blocked hair follicles, curly hairs, ingrown hair cysts, or infections, can change the normal cycle of hair growth, leading to the growth of multiple hairs in one follicle.
Repeated Follicular Damage
Repeated trauma to the skin, such as shaving, waxing, or using any other harsh hair removal methods, can trigger the defense mechanism in the follicle cells, thus leading to the growth of two hairs in the same follicle.
Genetics
If this condition runs in your family, you are more likely to experience it.
How Do You Get Rid Of Growth Of Multiple Hairs In One Follicle?
Pili multigemini is usually a harmless condition, and many people seek ways to manage and eliminate these multiple hairs for cosmetic reasons. The following methods can help in the prevention of the growth of multiple hairs in a single follicle:.
Hair Removal Techniques
Shaving
The American Academy of Dermatologists recommends using a sharp and clean razor and shaving in the direction of hair growth to minimize irritation and trauma to the follicles. This will result in less ingrown hair formation and it is best to control two hairs in one follicle, the pubic area, in males and females.
Waxing
Waxing is a good option to remove hair from the roots. But it is a harsh process, is painful, and is more likely to cause mostly follicular trauma. The condition of multiple hairs growing in one follicle and ingrown hair is mostly seen after waxing. It is important to ensure preventive measures, including a skin care routine, to allow the normal growth of hair. Try to avoid tight clothing after waxing to prevent the growth of two hairs.
Threading
It can be effective for small areas like the face. Threading helps remove the multiple hairs by uprooting them from the follicle. However, it is not recommended as it causes trauma to the hair follicle.
Laser Hair Removal
Laser, which is used to remove hair, uses a concentrated source of light to target the melanin pigment in the shaft of the hair follicle and destroy it from the roots with its heat energy. Multiple sessions are required to get optimal results and it is significantly effective to manage pili multigemini and ensure long-lasting results in armpits and pubic areas in males and females.
Intense pulsed light (IPL) Therapy For Pili Multigemini
IPL therapy is one of the most innovative and cost-effective techniques for removing hair at the convenience of home. It uses a broad spectrum of light to target and reduce hair growth. IPL is a long-lasting solution to treat conditions like ingrown hairs, two hairs in one follicle, coarse hairs, and hormonal hairs. However, these conditions require adjustments in energy levels for different areas of the body. The Ulike IPL Air 10 provides the following adjustment for treating such conditions:.
Setting The Ipl Energy Levels For Pili Multigemini In Males And Females
| Body Area | Gender | Fitzpatrick Skin Type | Hair Color | Hair Thickness | Recommended IPL Energy Level (J/cm²) | Notes |
| Armpits | Female | I-II | Dark | Coarse | 12-15 | Start with a lower energy level; a test patch is advised |
| Armpits | Male | I-II | Dark | Coarse | 14-17 | Higher density may require adjustment; a test patch advised |
| Armpits | Female | III-IV | Dark | Coarse | 10-14 | gradualGradual increase recommended; a test patch advised |
| Armpits | Male | III-IV | Dark | Coarse | 12-16 | Test patch advised, gradual increase recommended |
| Armpits | Female | V-VI | Dark | Coarse | 8-12 | Lower energy to prevent skin damage, test patch advised |
| Armpits | Male | V-VI | Dark | Coarse | 10-14 | Gradual increase recommended, test patch advised |
| Pubic Area | Female | I-II | Dark | Coarse | 12-16 | Very sensitive area, start with lower energy, test patch advised |
| Pubic Area | Male | I-II | Dark | Coarse | 15-18 | Test patch advised, sensitive area, gradual increase recommended |
| Pubic Area | Female | III-IV | Dark | Coarse | 10-14 | Test patch advised, gradual increase recommended |
| Pubic Area | Male | III-IV | Dark | Coarse | 12-16 | Test patch advised, gradual increase recommended |
| Pubic Area | Female | V-VI | Dark | Coarse | 8-12 | Lower energy to prevent skin damage, test patch advised |
| Pubic Area | Male | V-VI | Dark | Coarse | 10-14 | recommended; Gradual increase recommended, test patch advised |
Electrolysis
It involves inserting a tiny needle into the hair follicle and applying an electric current to destroy that follicle. This method is also effective for the treatment of pili multigemini in males and females, ensuring a permanent solution. But it is time-consuming, costly, and may cause some discomfort. It is important to seek treatment from a licensed electrologist.
Precautions
Hair Removal Procedures
Avoid waxing and rigorous shaving to minimize trauma to the skin and hair follicles. Always opt for gentle, non-invasive, and nearly painless hair-removing techniques such as IPL or laser therapy.
Skin Care Routine
A skin care routine is necessary to prevent the outburst of multiple hairs from a single follicle.
- Always avoid using harsh chemicals such as bleach or skin polish to minimize skin and follicle irritation.
- Regular exfoliation can help prevent ingrown hairs, blocked hair follicles, and follicular cysts and reduce the growth of two hairs by removing dead skin cells and promoting a healthy hair growth cycle.
- Keep your skin hydrated to reduce the risk of follicular damage.
Conclusions
Pili multigemini, the condition of having two hairs in one follicle, can be managed with appropriate hair removal techniques, skincare, and advanced treatments like IPL laser hair removal. To effectively manage and control this condition, it is important to understand the mechanism of hair growth and its contributing factors to ensure preventive care.
FAQs
Q1: Can pili multigemini harm my skin?
No, pili multigemini is a harmless cosmetic condition that can happen anywhere on the body without producing any signs or symptoms and without affecting any surrounding structures. Sometimes, it may cause itching and irritation.
Q2: Are there any side effects of IPL for two hairs in one follicle? One may experience temporary redness, itching, swelling, and discomfort. It is important to follow pre and post-treatment instructions to minimize these side effects. However, there are no other systemic side effects associated with using IPL therapy.
Q3: Can I prevent the growth of two hairs in one follicle in the pubic area with home remedies? Home remedies and skin care routines, including exfoliation, hydration, and moisturization, can help manage hair growth, but they are not likely to provide permanent solutions for multiple hairs in a single follicle at the armpits or pubic area in both males and females.
