Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder affecting 1 in 10 women. Despite this, the disorder remains under researched due to the complex nature of PCOS in that it has such a wide range of symptoms that many professionals disagree on what defines PCOS.
One of the most challenging and visible symptoms of PCOS is excessive hair growth, otherwise known as hirsutism. Hair can grow on the face, tummy, back, neck, and chest. For those who experience hirsutism, managing unwanted hair growth can feel like a never-ending struggle that significantly affects self-esteem and confidence, especially since excessive hair growth is seen as a “masculine” trait.
What is PCOS?
PCOS is a hormonal imbalance that affects women of reproductive age. It’s recognised by multiple cysts on the ovaries that lead to irregular periods, an overproduction of male hormones, weight gain, acne, trouble sleeping and hirsutism.
The exact cause of PCOS is not well understood or researched, but it’s believed to result from a combination of genetics, high levels of insulin and environmental factors.
As mentioned, PCOS leads to an overproduction of male hormones such as testosterone. Testosterone regulates facial and body hair, muscle mass and fat distribution. With an overproduction of testosterone in those with PCOS, they will have excessive hair growth in areas where men typically grow hair, such as the face, chest and abdomen. For most individuals suffering from PCOS, this can really impact their quality of life.
Excessive hair growth for many women isn’t just a cosmetic concern; it can have severe psychological effects due to the constant upkeep required by traditional hair removal methods such as shaving, plucking or waxing.
Exploring Hair Removal Options
1. Traditional Temporary Methods
Shaving: The process of removing the hair with a razor. Shaving is a quick and painless method that offers short-term results. The hair tends to grow back within a day or two for those with PCOS, making it a daily task.
Waxing is the process of removing hair from the root with a sticky substance. It provides longer-lasting results than shaving, but it can be painful and costly, especially if done by a professional.
Plucking/Epilation: Plucking is done with a tweezer, which pulls the hair out individually from the roots, while epilation uses an electronic device that grips and pulls out the hair. It’s practical for small areas but can be time-consuming and painful, especially if done every few days. It can also lead to skin damage and ingrown hairs.
Depilatory creams: Also known as hair removal creams, they dissolve the hair with chemicals by breaking down the keratin, causing it to weaken. Hair removal creams can cause skin irritation, especially for sensitive skin.
All the above-mentioned methods work temporarily. However, they do not address hirsutism long-term and become maintenance for the person suffering.
With the development of technology and science, more permanent and advanced hair removal solutions exist.
2. Advanced Methods
Electrolysis: The treatment involved inserting a tiny needle into each hair follicle to destroy it with an electric current. It’s proven to be very effective and can be used on all skin tones and hair colours. While effective, it’s very time-consuming and painful, and many struggle to apply it to a larger area such as the chest or back.
Laser Hair Removal: This uses concentrated light beams to target and destroy hair follicles at the root, preventing and slowing down regrowth. It has become popular for many people due to its ability to cover larger areas and being less painful.
What is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is a professional procedure carried out by a laser hair removal technician who uses laser technology to target the pigment in the hair. The laser’s energy converts to heat, damaging hair follicles to remove and prevent them from growing back.
Laser hair removal is a semi-permanent solution to hair removal, but multiple sessions are required to increase the time needed for hair regrowth.
How does Laser Hair Removal Work for PCOS?
Laser hair removal can be beneficial for those suffering from PCOS, especially because it can significantly reduce the density and thickness of unwanted hair.
Laser hair removal offers a long-term reduction of unwanted hair and the need for frequent maintenance, offering those afflicted more freedom in their weekly or daily hair removal routines.
Laser treatments are effective on dark and thick hair, and PCOS-induced hair growth is very often coarse and dark, which responds well.
Finally, those suffering from hirsutism can target the areas most affected directly with laser hair removal, which makes it very effective.
It is important to note that laser hair removal doesn’t address the root cause of hirsutism, which stems from hormonal imbalances, but it offers clients a more manageable way to handle the effects.
What are the Benefits of Laser Hair Removal for PCOS?
As mentioned above, laser hair removal is effective at treating hirsutism, as are other hair removal methods. So, what are the benefits of choosing laser hair removal for someone suffering from PCOS?
- Convenience: Laser hair removal treatments are convenient because the sessions are relatively quick, ranging from 10 minutes to an hour, depending on the size of the treatment area. Treatments usually occur every 4-6 weeks, making them convenient for your schedule.
- Minimal Downtime: Laser hair removal is a minimally invasive treatment, so apart from some redness, you can resume most normal activities immediately after the treatment.
- Precise: The lasers used in laser hair removal selectively target dark, coarse hair while leaving the surrounding skin unharmed compared to methods such as hair removal creams.
- Increased Confidence: Clients with PCOS who have had successful laser hair removal treatments, which reduced hair growth, report feeling more confident and comfortable in their appearance, especially as the time between regrowth extends.
- Cost-Effective: Laser hair removal packages/sessions are expensive upfront, but compared to the lifelong recurring costs of traditional methods, you are likely to save money in the long run.
Dealing with hirsutism caused by PCOS can be physically and emotionally taxing. However, with technological advancements, laser hair removal offers a promising solution for those seeking long-term relief from unwanted hair.
The treatment can provide a much-needed confidence boost, making PCOS symptoms less overwhelming.
While laser hair removal isn’t a cure for PCOS, it’s a valuable tool for addressing excessive hair growth by reducing the time in between regrowth.
If you’re considering this treatment, please consult a professional to determine if you are a suitable candidate or if another treatment would work better for your specific needs.
Career Opportunities in Laser Hair Removal
For beauty professionals and aspiring aestheticians, laser hair removal is a lucrative service to offer your clients.
The demand for permanent hair reduction continues to grow, especially among clients with conditions like PCOS who want long-term solutions to excessive hair growth.
At Ray Cochrane Beauty Aesthetic Academy, we are the leading training provider for the accredited and regulated VTCT Level 4 Laser and IPL course. Our training provides students with in-depth knowledge of laser technologies, skin types and treatment protocols.
We strongly believe that all students should have hands-on training, so our course ensures that you gain practical experience working on live models with industry-standard laser machines.
Finally, working as a laser hair removal technician is a gratifying career:
- Expand your services by adding laser hair removal to your list of treatments and attracting a wider client base.
- Increase your revenues through in-demand laser treatments.
- Updating your skills and gaining a laser hair removal qualification allows you to stay updated with the latest technologies, guaranteeing you remain relevant and popular in beauty and aesthetics.
Take the next step in your career and pursue a training course that provides expert training, hands-on experience, and industry-recognised qualifications to help you succeed in this highly demanding specialisation.
To learn more about how we can help you achieve your laser hair removal career, contact us today!
Call – 0203 856 8886
Email – email@raycochrane.co.uk
Frequently Asked Questions
How many sessions will I need?
Most clients will require between 6-8 sessions that are spaced 4-6 weeks apart to see significant hair regrowth reduction. However, due to the hormonal nature of PCOS, clients will need ongoing maintenance sessions to keep their results.
Is laser hair removal safe?
Laser hair removal is generally safe and recommended when carried out by a trained professional.
As with any advanced aesthetic treatment, there are potential side effects such as redness, swelling and discolouration which can occur.
It is also essential to follow pre-treatment instructions like avoiding sun exposure and retinol products to avoid side effects such as skin sensitivity and increased risk of burns.
Will laser hair removal work on light hair?
Traditionally, lasers wouldn’t have been recommended to those with lighter hair, but as technology has advanced, it can work on lighter hair. However, those with lighter hair colours might benefit more from alternative hair removal methods.
Light hair features less melanin, which makes it light in colour, and laser targets the melanin in hair follicles. The stronger the contrast between skin and hair, i.e. fair skin and dark hair, the more effective the results.
Is laser hair removal painful?
The answer to this can change depending on the treatment recipient as everyone has a different pain tolerance.
Most people who’ve had laser hair removal don’t find the treatment painful, and some may even say it’s virtually pain-free. However, it’s most commonly described as feeling like an elastic band snapping across the skin.
Hair removal professionals can apply a numbing cream to help with the pain or use a cooling gel. Modern laser machines even feature cooling technology to make the treatment process more comfortable.
Does lair hair removal cure PCOS hirsutism?
No. PCOS is an internal hormonal condition, and laser hair removal can’t address the hormonal imbalances. It can only help those with hirsutism manage the symptoms of excess hair growth by slowing down the time it takes for the hair to grow back.
