Hair removal due to pcos

[littlegreenmonster]

I have significant hair growth on my chin & neck due to pcos. I currently wax it myself every 6/7 days & have done for over 8 years.

I'm desperate to find a permanent way of removing it as it is destroying my self esteem. Although I wax it, it grows back quickly & after day 2 it is noticeable again but not long enough to be waxed yet.

I now avoid going out anywhere between day 3 & 7 so that others can't see the regrowth. It's massively affecting me to the point where I'm worried I am going to become severely depressed by it.

Ive tried the cream prescribed by the gp but it made no difference, Ive used the philips Lumea (made no difference) & I've lost a lot of weight hoping this would improve my pcos but it hasn't & i really need help now.

Ive now taken to shaving between waxes when I have to go to work etc, but this just delays the time to wax it & the regrowth is worse as it is so blunt.

I'm willing to do anything & pay anything to get it removed permanently.

Ive heard very mixed reviews of laser treatments & i don't want to waste money if it doesn't work for hair growth caused by pcos.

The hair is dark, thick & coarse & despite waxing for over 8 years at no stage has any of the hair stopped growing (unlike my legs where it's now patchy due to the waxing & has stopped growing in some places completely).

Can anyone recommend a permanent treatment that has worked for them when they have significant hair growth due to pcos?

Ive included a few photos of what it looks like on day 3 after shaving.

Thanks for any help or advice anyone is able to give.

I shave everyday with a mens razor, honestly I used to be really ashamed of it but now I dont care. It hasn't ruined my skin, it doesn't take long, and the only time its an issue is if im away unexpectedly- but usually if that happens something wild is going on so its not a priority. Ive tried waxing, threading and lazer over the years.

Electrolysis is the only permanent hair removal

It’s not cheap but a course of laser (not IPL) worked for me, think a course of 8, which were about 4 weeks apart I think, then top up courses of 3 sessions every year or so. Not cheap but was worth it (chin and upper lip for me, not neck or cheeks as well which might more cost). Was definitely “nippy” like bringing a tear to the eye, but over quickly! Definitely laser, I tried ipl first and I swear the buggers thrived on it 🙄

IPL should work well on you as it's dark hair on light skin. I used to use it, it's changed my life honestly. I barely ever use it any more because if you do for long enough, it basically stops growing back

How long/often did you use your Lumea? You have to do it every 2 weeks for a few months then you can taper down to a maintenance frequency

@Mumnewname I used it for 3 months & it made no difference at all. I was really pinning my hopes on it being a cure but it wasn't to be.

@conflictednow @Mumnewname I am confused about IPL as some people say it's worked for them & others say it absolutely won't work for pcos hair growth. It's a lot of money if it won't help. Does anyone one know why IPL doesn't help with pcos hair growth?

@ChipotlegoI'm sort of at that point now with shaving every day but just just dread having some sort of accident & being in hospital with a full beard as i wasn't able to shave for a week or two!

@OverlyFragrant- is electrolysis really expensive as I haven't been able to find any places near me that do it- everyone seems to do laser instead.

Electrolysis is the only guaranteed permanent way to remove hair, it is a slow and sometimes uncomfortable process but it removes the hair forever. It's not cheap but I suppose it depends how regularly you attend appointments. Check out the BIAE website and make sure you find a reputable person if you decide to go down that route.

I’m not really sure of the difference but I’m pale and it was dark hair. IPL worked well on my underarms but not my chin at all. I tried a different clinic and they explained it as laser being stronger but a tiny area, IPL covers a bigger area but less intense. Sorry not much help

Do you still have your Lumea? Just wondering because you mentioned it would be a lot of money. It's the cheapest option after shaving as you only spend £250 once (or however much they are now).

I don't know specifically about pcos as I haven't been diagnosed with it but I'm really extremely hairy naturally and the lumea basically transformed my face (upper lip and chin). I'd persevere with it a few more months if I were you. I used mine consistently for around three years (every two weeks for a few months, then once a month then every three months etc) and now it's in a drawer somewhere and I haven't needed it for ages. If you only used it for 3m then gave up maybe it just needed more doses

mine was like that and I had laser. It worked, I get the odd one now and may have another lot of sessions but they’re nowhere near as thick or spikey.

As your hair is dark it should respond well to laser, though you’ll need several sessions because of the hair being in different stages of the growing process.
https://www.pulselightclinic.co.uk/laser-hair-removal/why-laser-hair-removal-is-not-permanent

Also I have a lumea but it didn’t work. The clinic industrial strength laser killed it off. Took longer than 6 sessions tho. Was probably about 10.

This was me.

I tried the cream from the GP, prescribed Spironolactone.. had my babies and my face went into overdrive. I have PCOS but manage to keep my weight low.

6 session course of laser (a session every 6 weeks) every 3 years. My laser session package cost me around £250. Best money I’ve ever spent.

Laser never worked for me, I have very similar colouring to you.

I’ve been prescribed spironolactone and it’s reduced the growth significantly. I still shave but it’s once or twice a week rather than every two days.

sadly it seems to be such an individual thing.

Electrolysis. Long process and the hair has to be grown out for a few days, but it doesnt grow back. The first time is obviously the worst, as you will have the most hair showing, but after every session there will be less and less re growth. I go to a great clinic, which has doctors present, so you can get numbing injections beforehand. They have 2 clinics in London and I highly recommend them. If you'd like more info feel free to PM me.

Here’s my before and after.

I was a daily shaver, 5 o’clock shadow by morning. Gave up waxing as I couldn’t bear to leave it long enough to do it. Dark hair pale skin and on the waiting list for NHS assessment for hair removal due to PCOS.

Im on session 2 of laser hair removal, every 4 weeks for 8-10 sessions. £35 for half face. And can honestly say it’s been life changing. I’m now shaving every 3 days, no shadow, much reduced/sparser growth and signs are that I’ll eventually be hair free for a decent period. It’s genuinely the best thing I’ve done for myself in years. It’s moderately painful, especially on the top lip and chin bone areas, but over in minutes and no after effects (for me).

i have also accepted that as its laser treatment and hormonal it’s not permenant, and I’ll likely have to maintain more often than someone without PCOS. But for the cost of a takeaway a month and 15 mins I’d 100% recommend.

Don’t write laser off OP. I have similar colouring to you and it worked. Sometimes you need to persevere with the sessions so it captures all the stubborn ones on their hair growth cycle.