It’s believed that Lalit Patidar is one of fewer than 50 people to experience hypertrichosis worldwide since the Middle Ages
A teenager has spoken about living with a little-known condition that barely anyone has had for several centuries. The Guinness World Records declared that Lalit Patidar, 18, has the world’s hairiest face for its male category due to something known as hypertrichosis, or ‘werewolf syndrome’.
This exceptionally rare condition causes abnormal hair growth in small patches or across the body. While its symptoms may develop over time, Indian teenager Lalit was born with hypertrichosis, with the hair now covering ‘95% of his face’.
“I was born with hypertrichosis, which caused excess hair on my face,” Lalit wrote in an Instagram post. “From a young age, I avoided public places and isolated myself at home. People used to call me a ‘monster’ and ‘beast’, because of my hairy face.
“Due to constant bullying, I cried alone and often asked God, ‘Why me?’ But my family always supported me and never made me feel different. Their love gave me strength, even when the world [was] against me. Over time, I stopped hiding my face and started loving myself the way I am.”
In a conversation with the Guinness World Records about the award, he also added: “I am speechless, I don’t know what to say because I’m very happy to get this recognition.”
Although the causes of hypertrichosis are not well understood, scientists speculate that malnutrition, cancer, and even gene ‘reactivation’ could be involved. The latter specifically regards the idea that our genes, which triggered excessive hair growth in early mankind, are ‘turned on’ again for some unknown cause.
Although the causes of hypertrichosis are not well understood, scientists speculate that malnutrition, cancer, and even gene ‘reactivation’ could be involved
In turn, such hair growth can occur – even while a baby grows in the womb. Experts at Healthline explain: “Congenital hypertrichosis may be caused by reactivation of genes that cause hair growth.
“The genes that caused extensive hair growth in early man have ‘shut down’ during the course of evolution. By a mistake that still has no known cause, these hair-growth genes ‘turn on’ while a baby is still in the womb.”
It’s believed that Lalit is one of fewer than 50 people to experience hypertrichosis worldwide since the Middle Ages, making him one in a billion. On Instagram, Lalit added: “The best moment of my life came when [I] travelled to Italy for a Guinness World Records show.
“There, I was officially recognised for having the hairiest face on a male. Today, I proudly said I love my appearance and have no wish to change it.”
