Laser Hair Removal for women with PCOS

Excessive hair growth or hirsutism is a common side effect of PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)

We have been providing laser hair removal services for NHS clients with great success and positive feedback.

Laser treatments tackle excessive hair growth. Because light-based treatments do not interfere with medication or surgery, they can be used at any stage of the medical treatment (with the exception of immediate post-operation where surgery is required).

Hair removal treatment using laser devices is effective for women with PCOS. But because unwanted hair growth in women is hormonally driven, until hormonal imbalances are resolved, increased hair growth may continue in spite of hair removal treatments.

Whereas for most women, hair removal may be a permanent depilation technique, for women with PCOS, hair removal is an ongoing management technique.

However, treatment will significantly reduce the amount of hair present, and will slow down regrowth. For example, women shaving on a daily basis may find that they only require laser treatment every few weeks, with no shaving in between.

For all people, a course of treatments of 5–8 sessions is required to catch all hairs during the active or ‘anagen’ stage of hair growth. Following this, long-interval top-ups may be required to catch the new follicles as they come into growth.

Where women with PCOS differ from others is that their underlying hormone imbalance in PCOS causes new hair follicles to be created at a much faster rate than in women without PCOS, so that treatment may be a recurrent course of regular laser sessions unless hormone levels are rebalanced through medical treatment.