Laser Hair Removal for Hirsutism: Does it Work?

Lately, have you noticed excessive hair in places where it shouldn’t be such as the face, back, and chest? Women do have fine, plain but faintly visible hair on their faces and body. However, if you have noticed that the colour of your unwanted hair growth is darker than usual and the texture is coarse, then chances are you have hirsutism. This is a condition where there is excessive hair growth, with a male-like pattern in areas such as your face, inner thighs, back and chest.

Women in general have a hair removal routine each month, but if you have hirsutism, then hair removal processes such as threading, waxing and shaving can become tiresome. Have you ever wondered if Laser Hair Reduction can help with female hirsutism? Let’s take a deep dive and understand what is hirsutism in women, its symptoms, causes and probable hair removal options for this condition.

What is Hirsutism?

So, what does hirsutism mean? Hirsutism in women is a condition wherein there is unwanted hair growth on your face, back and chest. This is mainly due to excess androgens in your body. What are androgens? These are male sex hormones and women usually have low androgen levels in the body. When the level is increased, you may get hirsutism. The increase of androgens in your body may be because of a variety of reasons.

What are the Symptoms of Hirsutism?

The primary hirsutism symptom is when you have hair on body parts where women usually do not have hair - face, chest, inner thighs, and back. Mild hirsutism is when you have significant hair growth in your upper lip, chin, sideburn area, lower abdomen and around the nipples. The colour of this hair growth will be dark, meaning its mature hair. You may also experience other symptoms along with hirsutism such as :

• Acne

• Alopecia (hair loss)

• Receding hairline

• Oily skin

Causes of Hirsutism

It is difficult to pinpoint an exact or direct cause of hirsutism However, one of the most common hirsutism causes is increased levels of androgens. As mentioned above, androgen is a male hormone. In men, androgen is responsible for hair growth. Women do have androgen in their body, however, the level is minimal. If your hair follicles are very sensitive to androgens, then you can get hirsutism.

If the level of insulin is high in your body then it may also lead to hirsutism. Insulin unlocks cells in your body to absorb energy from sugar. It can also stimulate the ovarian cells in your body to produce more androgen thus leading to excessive hair growth.

PCOS or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is also one of the causes of hirsutism. PCOS is the hormonal imbalance in women leading to high androgen levels. There might also be other symptoms such as irregular periods, weight gain, acne, infertility, etc. Menopause is also one of the reasons for excessive facial hair growth.

Does Laser Hair Removal Work For Hirsutism?

If you have hirsutism and are tired of frequent hair removal hassles then laser hair reduction might be a better option for you. Laser hair reduction does not permanently remove hair from your body however, it does restrict the growth of hair for a long period of time if done correctly. In a laser hair reduction procedure, the melanin in your hair follicle absorbs the laser light. It heats up the hair follicle thereby destroying the roots.

As far as hirsutism is concerned, laser hair reduction can be effective. Laser treatment for hirsutism is a viable option for women who want hair reduction in specific areas especially the face, back and chest. However, it is important to note that laser hair reduction for chest hirsutism, stomach hirsutism and other areas can only work if you also have a hirsutism treatment going on side by side.

makeO skin (formely skinnsi) offers laser hair reduction at affordable rates starting at Rs 2,300 EMI/month. makeO skin (formely skinnsi) pros use the latest laser technology of quadruple wavelength laser which is a combination of 4 wavelengths - 755+810+940+1064 nm. This new type of laser reduces all types of hair – fine, medium, and thick hair. A perfect solution for hirsutism issues in women. Moreover, the ice-cool technology in the laser does not allow your skin to get heated making it a safe procedure.

So even if you have hirsutism, it is about time to get confident in your body as Laser Hair Reduction is one alternative you can explore. All said and done, your doctor might know the exact cause of your hirsutism, hence it is best to consult them before opting for this procedure.

Hirsutism and Laser Hair Reduction: Frequently Asked Questions

Does laser hair removal work for PCOS hirsutism?

Yes. If you have an ongoing PCOS and hirsutism treatment then you can also try laser hair reduction to see the desired results.

What is the best hair removal procedure for hirsutism?

If you are tired of your monthly parlour appointments then you can try laser hair reduction as a long-term solution for hirsutism. Hirsutism laser hair removal is far safer and more effective than shaving, waxing and threading.

How many laser sessions are needed for hirsutism?

An expert can help identify the extent of your hirsutism and accordingly recommend the number of sessions you might require for the hair reduction treatment.