Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that affects millions of women worldwide. It’s caused by a hormonal imbalance, and as a result this can lead to excessive or unwanted body hair (hirsutism) in places where hair growth is normally sparse, such as the chest, back, and face.
Managing this condition can be an ongoing battle: at-home depilation methods such as shaving or waxing need to be repeated every few days, and this can lead to red and irritated skin. This has led many women with PCOS to explore professional hair removal treatments that offer more permanent results.
Here’s a look at the benefits of laser hair removal at our Slough clinic for people living with hirsutism caused by PCOS.
Laser hair removal causes fewer skin issues
The problem many women with PCOS find with managing their hair removal at home is keeping their skin in good condition. Women’s skin is thinner and less oily than men’s skin, so it is less able to withstand repeated shaving or waxing in more delicate areas such as the chest and face.
Even with careful aftercare, the skin may frequently appear to be rough, dry, and red. Ingrown hairs can also be a problem, causing unsightly lumps and broken skin. Laser hair removal can minimise this issue, because it kills the hair at the root, reducing the rate or regrowth. Repeated treatments may eliminate it entirely.
Enhanced self esteem
Excess body hair can be a distressing problem for women, making them feel self-conscious and less confident about their appearance. When battling with the other issues caused by PCOS, such as irregular periods, infertility, and acne, some women can develop mental health problems such as low self-esteem, anxiety and depression.
The laser hair treatment can provide significant relief, because it can provide a long term solution with no worries about stubble, missed hairs, or inflamed skin.
A cost and time effective solution
Managing hirsutism with a home care routine is time consuming and expensive. It can often mean finding an extra hour every day for personal grooming, eating into relaxation and leisure time. Laser hair removal takes around an hour, depending on the size of the area treated, and the results are much more long lasting.
The cost of buying depilation products can also mount up quickly: women with PCOS will need to spend significantly more on these items than women who have regular levels of body hair growth.
Laser hair removal treatments require some investment, but over the long run they can save significant amounts of money because they require much less upkeep. It is usually necessary to have a course of up to six or eight treatments to achieve the best results, but after this time most people find that regrowth is very minimal.
In some cases, fewer or more treatments may be needed; it’s often unpredictable because hair that is not in the growth cycle cannot be removed. People with PCOS have more hair follicles than average, so the process of growth elimination will take longer.
More time to focus on managing the condition
An effective management tool for hirsutism can be psychologically uplifting for women with PCOS, lifting a heavy burden and freeing up headspace for them to tackle the other aspects of the condition. This can be literally life-changing, as women may find the confidence to go to the gym and lose weight, which can significantly reduce the symptoms of PCOS.
They may also find the confidence to do other activities they previously avoided, such as going to the swimming pool, holidaying in warm sunny places, or even just accepting more social invitations than they would previously have done. It can improve overall quality of life.
Choosing the right practitioner
When selecting a skin care clinic for laser hair treatment, look at their website to check which methods they use: do they have the latest technology, and do they provide a full description about what you can expect from the treatment?
The clinic should arrange a patch test to check for adverse reactions prior to the treatment, and also ask some questions about your medical history to ensure that you are a suitable candidate. It’s also an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have.
