"It is not necessarily the laser hair removal which worsens the hair growth, but the underlying hormonal imbalance," she explains. "Having high levels of androgen (male hormones) in your body causes physical signs such as excess facial and body hair. The hair grown is often thicker and darker and harder to remove."
Yes! Laser hair removal is an incredible treatment for hormonal hair growth. Unlike shaving or waxing, laser hair removal helps target the root cause of unwanted hair. With a focused beam of light, it targets the hair follicle directly, to inhibit the production of new hair.
It's possible for your hair to feel more coarse after a laser hair removal session. This is because laser hair removal works by targeting and damaging the hair follicle, which can make the hair that grows back appear thicker and coarser than before.
Conclusion: In women with PCOS, laser treatment is associated with a poorer than expected reduction in hair counts and HFI following treatment. However, offering more than six treatments does have additional benefits in terms of prolonging HFI and overall patient satisfaction with treatment is very high.
Research into the effects of laser hair removal on hormonal imbalances provides valuable insights: Clinical Studies: Some studies suggest that regular laser hair removal treatments can decrease androgen levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), potentially alleviating symptoms like excessive hair growth.
“The lasers we use penetrate less than one millimeter into the skin, so there's no way they could reach your ovaries. But even if they did—which they never, ever could—they wouldn't do anything, anyway. They work on pigment and have no bearing on fertility.” Therefore, there's nothing to worry about.
Most insurance providers classify laser hair removal as a cosmetic procedure, which typically leads to a lack of coverage. However, exceptions exist, particularly when such treatments are deemed medically necessary—for instance, in severe cases of hirsutism caused by polycystic ovary syndrome.
Moreover, with laser hair removal, treatments are quicker and fewer sessions are usually required compared to IPL. This is especially beneficial for PCOS patients, who may see hair growth in larger areas that need ongoing management.
While laser hair removal significantly reduces hair growth, it doesn't always eliminate it completely, and some may still require occasional touch-ups. Skin reactions can also play a role in feelings of regret, although this is rare when the procedure is done correctly.
If you notice new hair growth in the treated area after laser hair removal, it's essential to act quickly: Contact the Clinic: Contact your clinic immediately to discuss your concerns. A follow-up assessment will help determine whether the growth is due to paradoxical hypertrichosis or another factor.
Hirsutism is the excessive growth of facial or body hair on women. Hirsutism and unwanted PCOS facial hair are very common with polycystic ovary syndrome. Hirsutism can be seen as coarse, dark hair that may appear on the face, chest, abdomen, back, upper arms, or upper legs.
Individuals with certain medical conditions such as active skin infections, herpes simplex virus (HSV) outbreaks in the treatment area, lupus, diabetes, or a history of keloid scarring may not be suitable candidates for laser hair removal.
Treating PCOS with Laser Hair Removal
Ideal for treating larger areas, like the back or thighs, it swiftly targets several follicles at once, making it a faster option than treatments like electrolysis.
Birth control pills or other hormonal contraceptives, which contain estrogen and progestin, treat hirsutism caused by androgen production. Oral contraceptives are a common treatment for hirsutism in women who don't want to become pregnant. Possible side effects include nausea and headache.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder that affects up to 10% of women of reproductive age. PCOS can cause a variety of symptoms, including excess hair. Laser hair removal is a safe and effective treatment for unwanted hair growth, including hair growth caused by PCOS.
Can PCOS be considered a disability? While PCOS alone may not qualify as a disability, the condition can lead to the development of other severe medical conditions that, when considered together, may meet the criteria for disability benefits in certain jurisdictions.
Rarely, laser hair removal can cause blistering, crusting, scarring or other changes in skin texture. Other rare side effects include graying of treated hair or excessive hair growth around treated areas, particularly on darker skin.
This is a sign that the laser successfully treated the follicle, and it's clearing out the dead hair shaft. This shedding process, also called “peppering,” can last anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. In some cases, it may feel like the hair is growing back because it's breaking through the skin.
Who Should Avoid Laser Hair Removal. People who are taking certain medications, such as acne treatments, should avoid laser hair removal. It can also be a bad fit for people with certain skin conditions, like a history of skin cancer or keloid scars. Women who are pregnant or nursing should also put off hair removal.
Laser hair removal is a popular cosmetic procedure that uses laser energy to remove unwanted hair. But many wonder if it's effective on hormonal hair. The answer is yes, laser hair removal can work on hormonal hair.
Up to a few weeks after treatment, your skin will develop stubble or blackheads as a part of the shedding process that happens from hairs that were partially grown at the time of the procedure. Exfoliation during this period aids the shedding and diminishes the blackhead or stubble appearance.
Potential Regrowth
Stopping often means you're more likely to experience regrowth sooner. The hair might be finer than before or grow back at a slower rate, but the permanence promised by continuing treatment is unlikely.