Kaur has Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; a hormonal disease that can result in the growth of excess facial and body hair. Despite her lengthy attempts to shave, wax and bleach it Harnaam decided to go on her own terms. Thick hair began to sprout on her face, chest and arms when she was just 11-years-old. Kaur endured a childhood of cruel taunts and even online death threats.
Harnaam’s self-acceptance wasn’t easy. Her disease, in which the ovaries contain cystic follicles that overproduce androgens like testosterone, can spark hirsutism — the excessive growth of facial or body hair — for women. PCOS is, “the most common cause of hirsutism and may affect up to 10% of women,” according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
Harnaam said in her Instagram post:
I am super proud to hold this record, the inner child in me is so pleased.
We are proud too, Harnaam!
27-year-old British Sikh model-cum-campaigner sporting a six-inch-long facial beard entered the Guinness World Records in 2016 as the youngest female with a beard.
Kaur, who was bullied as a child, has gone on to model for Urban Bridesmaid Photography and made her debut on the catwalk by opening the Marianna Harutunian Royal Fashion Day show in March, wearing her traditional Sikh turban, a navy dress and black heels.
In March 2016, she became the first female with a beard to walk the runway at London Fashion Week.
Ms. Kaur the “Absolutely Humbling” as stated in her Record.
Despite trying different methods of hair removal, none of the methods have proven to be effective as the hair grows back again.
“Now with a beard measuring as long as six inches in places, she overcame years of bullying to take ownership of her appearance and achieve this record title at the age of 24 years 282 days,” her record citation reads. She describes her place in the ‘Guinness World Records’ book as ‘absolutely humbling’ and hopes it will help her to impart her empowering message.
More power to all women who break such stereotypes and inspire others to embark on the journey of self-acceptance.