Does laser hair removal work on PCOS?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common reasons for women to present seeking removal of facial hair, particularly within the UK National Health Service (NHS). In the NHS, there is geographical variation in the number of laser treatments available to women with PCOS, with some units limiting patients to six treatments whilst others allow unlimited treatments. This study aims to assess the effect of number of treatments on women with PCOS.

Methods: This study prospectively assessed hair counts, hair-free intervals and patient satisfaction in 60 women with PCOS undergoing 3ms pulse duration alexandrite laser treatment.

Results: Following six treatments there was a mean 31+/-38% reduction in hair counts (mean+/-SD; P=0.001). Mean hair-free interval (HFI) increased steadily with treatment, from 1.9 weeks after six treatments to 4.3 weeks after 10 treatments (P=0.001). From the postal questionnaire, after an average of 12 treatments, 31% of patients had a HFI longer than 6 weeks compared to only 2.6% after six treatments (P=0.003). Overall, despite the low hair count reductions, 95% of patients were satisfied with treatment.

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.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a common health problem that affects 5%-10% of women. No one is quite sure what causes PCOS. However recent studies have pointed to lifestyle, environmental and genetic factors.

What are the symptoms?

• Irregular menstrual cycles.
• Infertility due to irregular ovulation (egg release).
• Acne.
• Problems with easy weight gain and increased body fat (not all PCOS sufferers experience weight problems).
• Many small cysts (fluid-filled sacs) in their ovaries.
• Excessive hair growth on the face and body (hirsutism) caused by high levels of male hormones. This hair growth can continue for many years due to the body continuously producing male hormones making permanent hair removal difficult.

Is there a cure?

Because it is unknown why women get PCOS there is no cure however there are ways to prevent or reduce further problems. Some treatments for PCOS include:

• Eating healthy foods such as fruits, vegetable, lean meat and whole grain products. This will help lower your sugar levels which will improve your body’s use of insulin which will then help normalize the hormone levels in your body and help regulate your period.
• Going on a contraceptive pill. If you do not want to get pregnant the pill can help control menstrual cycles, help clear acne and reduce male hormone levels.

Can Laser Hair Removal help excessive facial hair growth?

Many of our patients at the Australian Laser and Skin Clinic have been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and choose to get laser hair removal as it can offer long term hair removal results and produce a smooth silky feeling.

Why choose our clinic? We are dedicated to the care of our patients above all else. It is this care for our patients that strives us to source and use the leading, most effective Grade 4 Medical Lasers available, setting the benchmark for excellence in treatment safety and laser hair removal results.

For more details please call one of our friendly staff on 1300 786 166

For some, laser hair removal is an easy process. While the number of sessions needed to become completely hair-free varies depending on the treatment area, skin tone, and hair thickness, it's not always straightforward. This especially rings true for people with PCOS.

Polycystic ovary syndrome affects as many as five million women of reproductive age in the US. It's a hormonal disorder that impacts fertility, and side effects can include irregular periods, acne, obesity, and excessive hair growth. The latter is due to increased levels of male hormones, and it typically grows coarse and dark. Often, it'll pop up on the face, chest, and back.

There are many ways to remove hair, such as tweezers, shaving, and epilators, but one of the most effective ways to remove hair for good is by getting laser hair removal. However, Dr. Shereene Idriss, a board-certified dermatologist at Idriss Dermatology in Manhattan, says PCOS-fueled hair growth can only be reversed if the underlying cause of the hormonal imbalance is treated. While treatment is diagnosed and in process, though, there are ways to tackle the excess hair growth.

"Laser hair removal works best in getting rid of hair," says Christian Karavolas, founder of Manhattan's Romeo & Juliette Laser Hair Removal. "PCOS makes the hair very dense, particularly around the chin and neck. So, using the right lasers with the right settings is important so that the hair can be permanently removed without hurting the skin."

Karavolas adds that once there's a proper diagnosis from your OBGYN, treatment in combination with laser hair removal can reverse, stabilize, and control excess growth.

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Quick solutions such as shaving, tweezing, and waxing can help reduce the appearance of excess hair growth in the short term, but since PCOS-fueled hair is typically dark and thick, it often grows back looking like stubble. That's why more permanent solutions, such as electrolysis or laser, are the way to go for long-term solutions.

However, Dr. Idriss notes that people with PCOS will require more sessions than the average person as they have increased numbers of hair and have more hair growing at the same time. "It doesn't mean that the laser hair removal is not working, it just means that unfortunately, they're going to need a little bit more to get them to the finish line of their liking," she adds.

Does laser hair removal work on hormonal hair?

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