Teen with Rare Condition Wins Guinness World Record for Hairiest Face — 201 Hairs per Centimeter: 'Proud of Me'

Mar. 15, 2025

Lalit Patidar.Photo:Guinness World Records

Guinness World Records

A teenager from India, who has the rare conditionhypertrichosis, which causes excessive hair growth on the body, has broken an unusual Guinness World Record — for hairiest face.“I am speechless,” Lalit Patidar, 18, told the organization after winning the award in February for having 201.72 hairs per square centimeter on his face.The condition has resulted in 95% of the teen’s face being covered, according toGuinness World Records.“I don’t know what to say because I’m very happy to get this recognition,” Patidar said.Only approximately 50 cases of congenital hypertrichosis — since someone’s birth — have been documented since the Middle Ages, Guinness World Records officials said.Though the teen is proud of his looks, it hasn’t always been easy.The teen posted about his record-breaking win on Instagram.Lalit Patidar/InstagramHe told the organization that he used to be teased and has dealt with looks from strangers and fear from fellow students when he first started school, he told Guinness World Records.“They were scared of me, but when they started knowing me and talking to me they understood I was not so different from them,” he said. “It was just on the outside that I looked different, but I’m not different inside.”Patidar has built a following on social media, with more than 260,000 followerson Instagram. He has also appeared on the Italian showLo Show dei Recordto have his facial hair measured.The teen following his win.Guinness World Records“Proud of me,” the teencaptioned a photoof himself holding his certificate on Saturday, March 8.Some people have suggested that he shave off his facial hair, but Patidar doesn’t let the opinions of others sway him.“There is not much to say to people about that,” he told Guinness World Records. “I tell them that I like how I am and I don’t want to change my look.”Many of his followers showed their support on Instagram.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“It’s the way you look,” wrote one user in response to hisInstagrampost on Sunday, March 9. “No problem for us, and you should have love instead of bullying.”Numerous others congratulated Patidar after he showed his record-breaking certificate.“Congratulations, bro,” wrote one follower.Added another, “[You] are my hero.”

A teenager from India, who has the rare conditionhypertrichosis, which causes excessive hair growth on the body, has broken an unusual Guinness World Record — for hairiest face.

“I am speechless,” Lalit Patidar, 18, told the organization after winning the award in February for having 201.72 hairs per square centimeter on his face.

The condition has resulted in 95% of the teen’s face being covered, according toGuinness World Records.

“I don’t know what to say because I’m very happy to get this recognition,” Patidar said.

Only approximately 50 cases of congenital hypertrichosis — since someone’s birth — have been documented since the Middle Ages, Guinness World Records officials said.

Though the teen is proud of his looks, it hasn’t always been easy.

The teen posted about his record-breaking win on Instagram.Lalit Patidar/Instagram

Lalit Patidar/Instagram

He told the organization that he used to be teased and has dealt with looks from strangers and fear from fellow students when he first started school, he told Guinness World Records.

“They were scared of me, but when they started knowing me and talking to me they understood I was not so different from them,” he said. “It was just on the outside that I looked different, but I’m not different inside.”

Patidar has built a following on social media, with more than 260,000 followerson Instagram. He has also appeared on the Italian showLo Show dei Recordto have his facial hair measured.

The teen following his win.Guinness World Records

“Proud of me,” the teencaptioned a photoof himself holding his certificate on Saturday, March 8.

Some people have suggested that he shave off his facial hair, but Patidar doesn’t let the opinions of others sway him.

“There is not much to say to people about that,” he told Guinness World Records. “I tell them that I like how I am and I don’t want to change my look.”

Many of his followers showed their support on Instagram.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“It’s the way you look,” wrote one user in response to hisInstagrampost on Sunday, March 9. “No problem for us, and you should have love instead of bullying.”

Numerous others congratulated Patidar after he showed his record-breaking certificate.

“Congratulations, bro,” wrote one follower.

Added another, “[You] are my hero.”

source: people.com