Guinness World Records has recognized an Indian boy with the most facial hair worldwide.
According to Guinness World Records, on Monday, 18-year-old Lalit Patidar from India was measured to have 201.72 hairs per square centimeter (㎠), earning him the title of the world’s hairiest person.
Guinness World Records reported that over 95% of Patidar’s face is covered in hair. He has Ambras Syndrome, a condition that causes excessive hair growth. This disease is so rare that only about 50 cases have been documented since the Middle Ages.
Recently, Patidar visited a hair specialist in Milan, Italy, to have his facial hair density officially measured. The specialist shaved a small section of his face to determine the exact number of hairs per square centimeter, which led to the record-breaking result.
Patidar expressed his astonishment, saying, “I am speechless. I don’t know what to say. I am happy to receive this recognition.”
Hypertrichosis, Known as “Werewolf Syndrome,” Has No Cure
Ambras Syndrome, a rare condition characterized by excessive hair growth, can be either congenital or acquired. Some individuals are born with hypertrichosis while others develop it later in life. Congenital hypertrichosis is often genetic, with individuals born with fine hair covering their bodies except for the palms and soles. The hair typically grows more prominently on the face, ears, and shoulders.
In congenital hypertrichosis cases, individuals are born with long, fine hair covering all body areas except the palms and soles. The hair primarily grows on the face, shoulders, and ears. Even if shaved, the hair grows abnormally, eventually covering the entire body. The congenital form of “Werewolf Syndrome” is mainly hereditary.
The genes responsible for excessive hair growth appear to have become obsolete during evolution, but they may reactivate for reasons not fully understood, leading to hypertrichosis. Approximately 50 to 100 documented cases of hypertrichosis have occurred globally since the Middle Ages, with an estimated occurrence of one in every billion people.
The acquired form of hypertrichosis can be caused by medication use or environmental factors. Drugs such as the anticonvulsant phenytoin, the immunosuppressant cyclosporin A, and the antihypertensive minoxidil have been known to induce the condition. In such cases, stopping the medication usually resolves the excessive hair growth.
In Spain, a controversy erupted when children who ingested a gastrointestinal medication inadvertently containing minoxidil exhibited symptoms similar to werewolf syndrome due to the drug’s hair growth properties. Additionally, hypertrichosis can also be associated with conditions such as diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), metabolic disorders, and long-term steroid hormone use.
There is no cure for hypertrichosis, but treatments such as laser hair removal can help manage excessive hair growth.
