Is Laser Hair Removal Effective for PCOS?

Updated on: 30th March, 2023

Do you suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and are tired of dealing with excessive hair growth in unwanted areas?

PCOS can lead to unwanted hair in various body areas, leaving many women frustrated and searching for a solution. But don’t worry! There’s a way to reduce this unwanted hair and achieve silky smooth skin. Laser hair removal has become a popular and effective solution for women with PCOS who want to say goodbye to unwanted hair once and for all. 

Let’s understand how PCOS causes unwanted hair growth, how laser hair removal helps to eliminate unwanted hair growth and is laser hair removal effective for PCOS. 

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that affects women of reproductive age and can cause various symptoms, including unwanted hair growth. This occurs because women with PCOS often have an imbalance of hormones, such as an excess of androgens (male hormones). 

In women with PCOS, the ovaries may enlarge and contain multiple small cysts due to the eggs not maturing and releasing as they should. This hormonal imbalance can lead to an overproduction of androgens, which can cause excessive facial hair and other symptoms, such as irregular periods, acne, and weight gain.

The hair growth caused by PCOS is typically thick, coarse, and dark and can be difficult to remove with traditional methods such as shaving or waxing. This can lead to feelings of self-consciousness and frustration.

Laser hair removal is a cosmetic procedure that uses concentrated beams of light to penetrate the hair follicles and  disable the cells responsible for hair growth. The laser light is absorbed by the pigment in the hair, which gets heated by the energy and destroys the hair follicle without damaging the surrounding skin.

Laser hair removal can be an effective treatment option for women with PCOS experiencing unwanted hair growth. The laser targets the hair follicles, causing them to become dormant and eventually stop producing hair, and this can lead to a long-term reduction in hair growth.

However, in PCOS the underlying hormonal imbalance can continue to stimulate more hair growth. As a result many times women with PCOS may require more sessions of laser hair removal to see satisfactory results. Moreover it is also recommended that the underlying hormonal imbalance should be treated for better results. 

You may contact your gynaecologist or endocrinologist for medications to correct the hormonal imbalance. Also try and incorporate lifestyle changes like regular exercise, balanced diet and good sleep habits for an overall hormonal control.  

Laser hair removal can offer several benefits for women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Some of these benefits include:

• Laser hair removal can effectively reduce unwanted hair growth on the face, chest, and other body parts, eliminating the distress and negative impact that excessive hair can have on a woman’s self-esteem and confidence.
• Laser hair removal is a convenient option for removing thick dark hair, where traditional methods like shaving, waxing and threading are painful, need to be done frequently and can cause side effects like rough skin, razor bumps, ingrowths and skin irritation. 
• With time Laser hair removal, thins out the thick dark hair and also aids skin rejuvenation. This gives an added benefit of eventone, pigment free skin. 

Let’s find if laser hair removal is effective for PCOS. – Yes !

Laser hair removal can significantly reduce hair growth and improve the appearance of unwanted hair in women with PCOS. However sometimes some regrowth is seen. The extent to which hair growth returns may depend on individual factors such as skin type, hair colour, and hormone levels.

Remember, laser hair removal does not address the underlying hormonal imbalances associated with PCOS. If left untreated, these imbalances can continue to stimulate hair growth, which may require additional laser hair removal treatments to manage.

Hence as mentioned, hormonal imbalance in PCOS also needs to be addressed along with hair removal for better long lasting results. 

Laser hair removal can be effective for people with dark skin. But dark skin has more melanin, the pigment that provides colour to the skin, which can absorb more laser energy and increase the risk of side effects such as hyperpigmentation. Therefore, it is important to choose a hair removal laser that is safe and effective for darker skin tones.

For people with dark skin, choosing a hair removal laser with a longer wavelength, such as the Nd:YAG laser is recommended, as it is less likely to cause damage to the surrounding skin. 

It is also important to choose a dermatologist with experience working with dark skin tones and to discuss the potential risks and benefits of the treatment before undergoing laser hair removal.

Laser hair removal is an effective way to remove unwanted hair in women with PCOS. It is best to consult a qualified dermatologist who can determine if laser hair removal is suitable for you based on your individual needs and medical history.

Our expert dermatologists at Clear Skin, Pune, can help you assess your PCOS and advise the best hair removal technology suited for you. Book your appointment today.