What Is PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)?

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal condition that affects many women during their reproductive years. One of the most noticeable symptoms is excess hair growth, medically known as hirsutism.

PCOS is a common hormonal imbalance where the ovaries produce high levels of androgens, which are often referred to as ‘male hormones’, disrupting ovulation. This leads to irregular or absent periods, acne, excess hair growth, and, frequently, small fluid-filled cysts on the ovaries, causing infertility and metabolic issues.

But hair growth is the area where we can help; this hair growth most commonly appears on areas such as:

For many women with PCOS, this hair growth can be persistent and frustrating to manage. Temporary methods like shaving, waxing, or creams may remove the hair briefly, but they don’t address the follicle itself, so the hair often returns quickly.

• Chest

• Abdomen

• Back

The Science Behind PCOS and Hair Growth

Hair follicles are extremely sensitive to hormones. Hormones are the entire reason hair begins growing. We see this during puberty, especially.

With PCOS, elevated androgen levels can cause vellus hairs (fine peach fuzz) to transform into terminal hairs (coarse, dark hair). Once a follicle has been hormonally stimulated to become a terminal hair, it almost always stays as a terminal hair.

This is why many women with PCOS notice:

• Hair becomes coarser over time

• More follicles are becoming activated, seeming like a never-ending battle

• Hair returns quickly after removal

Hormonal treatments may help regulate the underlying condition, but they do not permanently remove existing hair follicles. That’s where professional hair removal treatments come in.

Hair Removal Options for PCOS

Women with PCOS often cycle through many temporary hair removal methods like shaving, waxing, threading, and depilatory creams before seeking longer-term solutions.

These methods remove hair above the skin, but they do not affect the follicle itself. Because PCOS stimulates follicles, hair typically returns quickly. Professional treatments like electrolysis and laser hair removal can provide much longer-lasting results.

Why electrolysis works well for PCOS

Electrolysis is the only FDA-approved method for permanent hair removal. Learn more about how it works on our Electrolysis Hair Removal page. During electrolysis treatment, a tiny probe is inserted into the hair follicle, and a controlled current is applied to destroy the follicle’s ability to grow hair. Electrolysis is especially effective for PCOS because it:

• Permanently destroys individual follicles

• Works on all hair colors and skin tones

• It is ideal for hormone-driven facial hair

• Does not cause paradoxical hair growth

• Treats hair one follicle at a time

Because PCOS can continue to stimulate new follicles, some clients may need to continue with maintenance treatments. However, each follicle treated successfully will never grow hair again.

For many clients with PCOS, electrolysis becomes the permanent solution for facial hair management.

Laser Hair Removal for PCOS

Laser hair removal reduces hair growth by targeting the pigment inside the hair follicle with concentrated light energy converted to heat. For thicker or larger areas of hair growth, laser treatments can help reduce density before electrolysis. Learn more about Laser Hair Removal and whether it's right for you.

Laser works best on:

• Dark hair

• Larger areas of the body

• Dense hair growth

Laser can be a great option for PCOS, but the best times to choose it are when you want to:

• Reduce hair density significantly

• Slow regrowth

• Make hair finer and lighter

• Reduce the amount of electrolysis needed later

Something to note, laser hair removal is FDA approved as a hair reduction technique, not permanent removal. Plus, hormonal conditions like PCOS may cause you to be especially prone to stimulating new hair growth with paradoxical hair growth.

Laser also works only on pigmented hair, meaning it cannot treat blonde, gray, white, or red hair.

The Best Hair Removal Strategy for PCOS

For many clients with PCOS, the most effective strategy is a combination approach. Of course its’s hard to say for sure unless you come in for a consultation, so we can see you in person. A proper evaluation must be done before we create a treatment plan here in Rochester, MN. Your treatment plan with us will consider:

A consultation helps determine the best approach for your situation. So, come in for a free consultation.

• Hair color

• Hair density

• Skin tone

Option 1: Combination Plan

Laser treatment first, followed by electrolysis.

Laser hair removal can quickly reduce thick hair in larger areas. Electrolysis can then permanently remove the remaining hairs.