Unwanted hair growth is one of the many symptoms associated with PCOS. While waxing and shaving provide temporary relief, electrolysis provides permanent solutions over several sessions.
All women experience peach fuzz vellus hairs, known as vellus or vellus hairs, however those living with PCOS often experience thicker, darker facial and body hair due to an abundance of androgens. Treatment may help decrease hirsutism but must also include hair removal techniques for maximum effectiveness.
Waxing
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) causes an excess of androgen that leads to excessive hair growth on the face, neck, back, chest or abdomen. However, there are effective solutions available to get rid of unwanted body hair in order to achieve smooth and beautiful skin.
As for how to remove unwanted PCOS hair, several strategies exist for effectively getting rid of it: shaving, laser hair removal and waxing are three effective methods that have proven themselves over time. Waxing is particularly effective as it removes hair at its source rather than just trimming off surface hairs; in addition, waxed-removed roots tend to grow back finer and softer than coarse, blunt ones left behind after shaving.
Select a reliable waxing salon when scheduling waxing sessions, taking time to research reviews online and talk to friends to find out which place they go. Some salons may offer free consultation or questionnaire to make sure you are an ideal candidate before beginning treatment. If pain management is an issue for you, try using topical anesthetic cream such as hydrocortisone or lidocaine prior to the appointment; they’re available over-the-counter at most drugstores and will numb the area to reduce sensation of pulling hair out when pulling hair out.
Another way to reduce pain when getting your wax done is exfoliating beforehand. This helps prevent ingrown hairs and folliculitis from occurring – two things which can be very unpleasant! You could also try using products containing aloe vera or natural herbs after your wax procedure to soothe the skin afterward.
Though some individuals do have sensitive skin, most can tolerate waxing with only minor discomfort. If you’re particularly sensitive, however, it’s wise to discuss other long-term hair removal solutions with your doctor, such as laser treatment or electrolysis.
Women living with PCOS who wish to rid themselves of excess facial hair should consult with either a dermatologist or esthetician with experience working with this condition. In addition to getting rid of unwanted hair, other lifestyle modifications that may help ease its symptoms include diet, exercise, insulin resistance medications, birth control pills, and fertility treatments.
Shaving
Many women living with PCOS experience excessive hair growth, or hirsutism. This often stems from hormonal imbalance caused by PCOS and can lead to significant emotional distress and low self-esteem in some. While shaving, tweezing, waxing, electrolysis or laser hair removal can provide temporary solutions, more permanent solutions such as electrolysis or laser hair removal may provide longer term solutions.
Shaving is an efficient and quick method for hair removal that works for most, yet may be irritating to those with sensitive skin. Shaving can lead to ingrown hairs and razor bumps; therefore it requires consistent upkeep to achieve smooth results. In contrast to waxing which targets hair at its roots directly, shaving removes only the outermost layers of hair leaving thicker regrowth that could be painful for some individuals.
Your body’s primary form of hair, called “peach fuzz”, are called vellus or “peach fuzz” hairs. These fine, barely pigmented strands usually only appear in areas like your face, pubic area and underarms; however if androgen levels increase significantly these hormone-sensitive vellus hairs can begin producing terminal hairs; leading to beard and mustache growth for men as well as male-pattern hirsutism in women.
Electrolysis is the only FDA-approved permanent hair removal technique. In this process, a needle is inserted into each hair follicle and exposed to small current of electricity to kill it and prevent further hair growth. Therefore, electrolysis has become one of the most sought-after and effective treatments for those suffering from PCOS-related hirsutism as it permanently reduces unwanted growth in areas such as face, armpits, legs and chest.
Laser Hair Removal
Excess hair growth is one of the hallmark symptoms of PCOS, often being uncomfortable, time-consuming and embarrassing to deal with. But with advances in cosmetic technology, eliminating extra hair is now often a relatively painless process.
Laser treatment is one of the most efficient ways to eliminate unwanted body hair. This process targets individual hair follicles and destroys them by heating up their pigment, deactivating or stopping their growth entirely – thus making laser the optimal method for permanent hair removal.
However, it’s important to realize that laser hair removal may take multiple sessions before reaching desired results. Furthermore, laser treatment may not work effectively on people with darker skin tones or those who tan easily as its laser beam may not target hair follicles as accurately. Before beginning laser treatment for hair removal, individuals should consult with a physician first to make sure this procedure is safe for them.
Prior to laser treatment, doctors will conduct an in-depth medical history review in order to rule out an infection in the area being targeted for hair removal. They will also assess hormonal levels to identify what caused hirsutism in the first place and advise how best to manage it long term. They may advise stopping all forms of epilation such as plucking or waxing for at least six weeks beforehand in order for an effective result from laser.
Laser hair removal involves applying a topical anesthetic to numb the area and protect it from any discomfort, then passing over each location for only seconds each. Furthermore, its surface contact with skin remains cold – making this treatment extremely comfortable.
After laser hair removal sessions, patients may experience redness and swelling which usually subside within several hours; however, some individuals do experience skin crusting which requires intervention such as moisturizing cream to avoid scarring or becoming inflamed. If this happens to you, consulting your physician immediately is highly advised as these effects could persist until they resolve on their own.
Eflornithine Cream
Eflornithine cream, better known by its brand name Vaniqa, is an oral medication that works to inhibit hair growth in those suffering from PCOS. This topical treatment works by blocking an enzyme required for unwanted facial hair formation; additionally it reduces hair that grows from existing follicles; however it won’t completely eliminate existing hair, only making its texture finer and lighter overall. Ideally you should apply Eflornithine twice daily at 8-hour intervals for maximum effectiveness – shaving or plucking should also be avoided while using this product.
Treatment with medication can be expensive, but it remains one of the most effective means of controlling excessive hair growth among those living with PCOS. Results typically become noticeable between six and eight weeks after beginning therapy; however, keep in mind that its effects aren’t permanent and your hair will start growing back once treatment stops.
Electrolysis and laser treatments may also help to decrease hair growth; although more costly than other forms of removal, they provide semi-permanent results that last months or more. Finding an approach you feel most comfortable with that best suits your specific situation will likely prove effective.
As many can attest, getting rid of excess hair growth can be challenging for anyone; but especially those living with PCOS. PCOS causes various symptoms that make life more challenging; eliminating unwanted hair can greatly enhance quality of life for those affected by PCOS. Consult with your physician on finding an ideal hair removal solution.
When purchasing Eflornithine cream, take advantage of our free coupons to reduce the cost at local pharmacies near you. Simply enter your prescription details to generate one and present it when picking up your medication from them.
