Indian teen with rare condition sets Guinness record for hairiest face

An 18-year-old from Madhya Pradesh, India, has made history by setting a Guinness World Record for the hairiest face on a man. Lalit Patidar, who suffers from hypertrichosis, also known as "werewolf syndrome," has 202 hairs per square centimetre covering more than 95% of his face. Patidar’s condition, which is extremely rare, has earned him global recognition. He was recently in Milan for Lo Show dei Record, where Guinness World Records officials confirmed his record-breaking achievement. Guinness World Records noted that Patidar is one of only around 50 documented cases of hypertrichosis worldwide since the Middle Ages, describing him as "one in a billion." Reflecting on his experience, Patidar shared that, while some initial encounters were challenging, particularly on his first day of school, most people have been kind to him. "The first day of school wasn’t so good because the other kids were scared of me, but when they got to know me, they realised I’m not so different from them," he said. Despite some suggestions to remove his facial hair, Patidar remains firm in his self-acceptance. "I like how I am, and I don’t want to change my look," he stated. Patidar, who has also gained popularity on social media, now shares his experiences on his YouTube channel. He has amassed 265,000 followers on Instagram and 108,000 subscribers on YouTube, inspiring many with his confidence and resilience. “I am speechless. I don’t know what to say because I am very happy to get this recognition,” he said after receiving the prestigious title.