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<\/p>\nA WOMAN with a beard who gets constant stares in public and verbal abuse online is hitting back at trolls by embracing her facial hair.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
But late last year, curious to get answers from a professional, she went to see a doctor.<\/p>\n
She also has a TikTok account, sharing her experiences with people online to tackle stigma.<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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,\u201d Khosi, a freelance book editor, from Johannesburg, South Africa, told\u00a0http:\/\/NeedToKnow.co.uk.<\/p>\n
\u201cHence, I never approached a doctor about my body hair, I had no physical issues.<\/p>\n \u201cBut when I finally visited my GP, they suggested hormone-level tests for fertility and PCOS.<\/p>\n \u201cHowever, they both came back negative.<\/p>\n \u201cI could have children if I wanted to and there was no need for hormonal treatment, it all seemed fine.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n She said: \u201cI\u2019d never heard of it before, but it did make sense.<\/p>\n \u201cI 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.<\/p>\n \u201cPlus, the nature of my job required me to be presentable, so I began razor-shaving weekly.<\/p>\n \u201cBut the more I shaved it, the more it grew.<\/p>\n \u201cThen I tried waxing, but it proved to be both costly and painful.\u201d<\/p>\n Khosi decided to try laser hair removal treatment instead, which worked for a while, but the hair soon came back with force.<\/p>\n She said: \u201cAfter 10 sessions, the hair became finer and my skin was smooth.<\/p>\n \u201cI was convinced it worked.<\/p>\n \u201cHowever, when I stopped for a year the hair started growing back and I had to go back to razor shaving.\u201d<\/p>\n Instead of fighting against her facial hair, Khosi decided to embrace it.<\/p>\n She said: \u201dI stopped shaving and instead, started to love myself.<\/p>\n \u201cI learned that self-acceptance is a crucial aspect of self-care.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is the foundation for our confidence and self-esteem.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve had to remember that beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, and forms, and I am bringing body hair to the beauty equation.\u201d<\/p>\n However, it has not been an easy journey with people sharing unwanted comments in public and online.<\/p>\n Khosi said: \u201cPeople 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.<\/p>\n \u201cUnfortunately, 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.<\/p>\n \u201cI walk around anywhere and everywhere including the mall, restaurants, and events and I have learned to ignore stares and comments as much as possible.<\/p>\n \u201cIf someone is particularly rude or offensive, I speak up and assert boundaries.<\/p>\n \u201cI deserve respect and dignity.<\/p>\n \u201cOne guy stated that I just need a penis and that I\u2019m a male.<\/p>\n \u201cNow, I take great pride in my facial hair and incorporate beard maintenance into my daily hygiene routine.<\/p>\n \u201cI do wish that it was softer but due to my thick, curly hair, it appears like a dense bush despite having long strands.<\/p>\n \u201cBut now I am so accustomed to it that I often forget I have hair on my face!<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/newspress-collage-23883684-1694261494991.jpg\")
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