‘I hate seeing people joke about this’: Viral TikTok video sparks conversation about women of color with facial hair

TikToker Reacee, who runs the account @adore.her.beauty, recently went viral for one of her videos about hirsutism, a hormonal condition that spurs thick, dark hair on women's faces and upper bodies.

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Hirsutism is particularly common in women of color, and it is often a side effect of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a disorder that causes symptoms, ranging from insulin resistance and infertility to ovarian cysts.

"Hirsutism is a male pattern of secondary or post- pubertal hair growth occurring in women. It’s pretty common in women of color." Screenshot of an article explaining hirutism and listing some of the causes like cushings syndrome

In Reacee's video, a client is getting her facial hair removed via wax. It's been viewed 1.3 million times since being posted on May 1. It was also reposted to Twitter, where it similarly went viral.

The video is receiving mixed reactions.

Some are simply impressed by the client's apparent incredible pain tolerance because of the way she's seemingly relaxed and smiling as her facial hair is ripped off. "This looks so painful ... she's 10 times stronger than I will ever be. I was gritting my teeth just from watching," one viewer on Twitter wrote.

I'm such a cry baby I definitely would not survive this. My woman would have to talk me through it shem

The way she is just chatting like it’s no painful

This looks so painful 😰 she’s 10 times stronger than I will ever be. I was gritting my teeth just from watching

The video was also met with misogynistic, transphobic comments by a few men.

Might as well get laser hair removal at this point I couldn’t even look you in your face let alone try to form a conversation that’s just to much hair on your face shawty shit still look nasty after it’s gon so idk which one you should of kept it on or off

Lately have been seeing ladies with moustache, and I have a problem with that

Fortunately, many woman jumped in to shut the men down and attempt to educate them. "I hate seeing people joke about this (because) sometimes it's a symptom of having PCOS, which isn't a laughing matter," one said.

I hate seeing people joke about this becomes sometimes it’s a symptom of having PCOS, which isn’t a laughing matter smh

It doesn’t necessarily have to be PCOS. There are many other conditions that can cause it (I’m know from experience and being a nurse). I dealt with it and I do not have PCOS.. hormones are balanced. It was hereditary. So in my case laser did work and it never grew back.

Many also chose to share their own experiences with the condition and the way their facial hair, and the attitudes toward women with facial hair, make them feel. "This is one of my biggest insecurities," one said.

I have had this condition since I was young. This is one of my biggest insecurities. I wish I had the money for laser hair removal bit I am poor. 😔 A lot women suffer from this than you think. The hair growth causes hyper pigmentation and discoloration as well.

I hate that I have PCOS and this is a result of it. This is the BIGGEST self esteem issue I’ve had all due to a condition 😢. I pray docs can figure out something.

My facial + body hair is that of Chewbacca. No I do not have pcos. I’m just unlucky. Be grateful you can wake up everyday and not have to worry about people staring at your beard, ladies.

Many are pointing out how the cruelty some people are dishing out over the video is harmful and misogynistic. "This comes with pcos ... so I don't get the ppl laughing the comments . This is why so many women with this issue feel insecure.. even if it's not as severe as this," a Twitter user noted.

This comes with pcos ... so I don’t get the ppl laughing in the comments . This is why so many women with this issue feel insecure.. even if it’s not as severe as this .

again, I hate all of y'all on this app, y'all are sooooooooo disgusting...it's almost like y'all forget other people walk this earth. the comments 🤢🤮 the ignorance. where's y'all's mother's? i just KNOW she didn't raise y'all like that...

Meanwhile, Reacee also continues to educate people about hirsutism and safe methods of hair removal over on her account. She's showing women with this very common condition that they're not alone and is fighting the stigma by discussing it so openly with her over 100,000 followers.

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The post ‘I hate seeing people joke about this’: Viral TikTok video sparks conversation about women of color with facial hair appeared first on The Daily Dot.