In a tale that seems straight out of folklore, an 18-year-old from India has been officially recognized by Guinness World Records for having the hairiest face—boasting an incredible 201.72 hairs per square centimeter of skin.
Lalit Patidar, who has lived his entire life with hypertrichosis, also known as “werewolf syndrome,” has hair covering over 90% of his face. This rare genetic condition, which makes a person appear almost beast-like, is so uncommon that only about 50 documented cases have existed since the Middle Ages.
Growing up, Patidar often found himself at the center of fear and superstition. His classmates initially recoiled in horror, mistaking his condition for something supernatural. Over time, they realized he was just like them beneath his thick coat of facial hair.
Even today, strangers stare, some whispering that he should remove the hair to appear “normal.” But Patidar remains unfazed. “I tell them I like myself as I am, and I don’t want to change my look,” he told Guinness World Records.
With his uncanny resemblance to mythical creatures, Patidar’s story blurs the line between legend and reality—earning him not only a world record but also a place in history as one of the rarest individuals alive.