Excess facial and body hair growth can be an embarrassing side effect of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Luckily, permanent hair removal treatments are now available.
Electrolysis is a medically-based procedure which uses an electric current delivered via needle to each hair follicle, disabling them and stopping future hair growth. Electrolysis is currently recognized by the FDA as the only permanent hair removal solution.
Cost
Electrolysis offers women with PCOS who suffer from hirsutism a permanent solution for unwanted hair growth. Although costly, with treatments costing anywhere between several hundred to several thousand dollars per session – most electrologists offer payment plans!
An electrologist utilizes electrolysis devices that employ fine needles or wires inserted into each hair follicle without puncturing the skin, with electric current passing down these needles until they connect to an electrolysis machine and destroys each hair follicle painlessly and permanently. Multiple treatment sessions may be necessary as hair grows in three stages.
The number of electrolysis sessions will depend on the area being treated; larger areas or thicker, coarser hair may require additional time and sessions than thinner lighter hair. Individual experiences vary as far as discomfort levels go; some describe it as feeling similar to plucking out hair with tweezers while others describe it more like plucking it with their fingers.
Electrolysis costs will not typically be covered by health insurance plans; however, if you suffer from conditions like hirsutism or hypertrichosis your doctor may submit a letter of medical necessity to convince them otherwise.
Before your treatment begins, your electrologist will administer a numbing cream to ease any discomfort. Also avoid shaving, tweezing or waxing in advance of your appointment; Elise recommends trimming any unnecessary hair with a bikini trimmer before your visit; to be on the safe side, you should consult with them as to any additional requirements or guidelines you should abide by before beginning any other activities or procedures.
Pain
If PCOS has led to excessive hair growth, electrolysis is an effective and long-term solution to address it. Electrolysis uses a metal probe with an electric current inside that looks like a small needle to safely destroy hair follicles; an electrologist will insert this needle into each one using electrolysis to destroy them. Although electrolysis may be painful at first, remember that pain only lasts as long as the needle remains inside its target follicle and use numbing creams or cooling techniques as needed to reduce discomfort as necessary.
Electrolysis treatments will give you lasting results and your hair won’t grow back after they have completed. The number of treatments will depend on factors like hair color, skin tone and thickness of growth; however electrolysis stands out as one of the only effective solutions available to PCOS patients to stop hair growth altogether.
Electrolysis and laser hair removal offer temporary solutions that only temporarily stop hair growth, though studies show some reduction in growth after just one treatment session. While laser removal involves less pain than its counterpart, electrolysis requires you to numb larger parts of the body before performing treatments – something laser hair removal cannot do.
Laser hair removal is more cost-effective than electrolysis and can even be completed from the comfort of home with an at-home laser device. When selecting a certified specialist to use for this procedure, however, make sure they customize a treatment plan tailored specifically to meet your unique needs and provide safe equipment that won’t irritate or harm the skin. Some clinics even offer packages which include both laser hair removal and electrolysis treatments at reduced prices than individual sessions.
Discomfort
Contrasting laser treatments, which emit a beam of light that simultaneously targets multiple hair follicles at once, electrologists specialize in individually treating each follicle using thin needles. While this takes more time and may cause some discomfort every time the needle enters a follicle, it also may irritate sensitive skin near treatment site.
Electrolysis may not be a completely painless procedure, but an experienced electrologist should be able to minimize discomfort through use of numbing creams or other techniques. You could also opt for taking anti-anxiety medication prior to your appointment which will ease nerves and decrease any sensitivity you might feel during treatments.
Electrolysis offers permanent hair removal solutions; though it may take longer than laser treatments to complete, as its process shocks each hair follicle into destruction, thus preventing future regrowth. Plus, electrolysis treatments are safe for all hair colors and skin pigmentations types while laser treatments usually only work on dark-stranded hairs.
Electrolysis involves going through several sessions; since each hair follicle must be treated individually, this could take between 9 months and 2 years before you are completely hair-free. But as previously noted, electrolysis is an invaluable way to permanently eliminate unwanted hair caused by PCOS.
Electrolysis and laser hair removal can both provide effective solutions for excessive hair growth associated with PCOS. When selecting either of these options or both together, keep in mind the importance of managing symptoms through an appropriate diet plan and exercise program created by your healthcare provider.
Time
Laser hair removal offers a semi-permanent solution to hirsutism that can produce results lasting several years with regular treatments. Laser sessions use highly concentrated beams to target hair follicles beneath the skin, typically leading to approximately 90% less hair growth after 10-12 consecutive sessions compared with waxing treatments alone. Plus, treatments are fast, affordable and much more convenient!
Time required for electrolysis treatments depends largely on the area being addressed; facial electrolysis for unwanted hair on lips or eyebrows might take just half an hour while full body electrolysis sessions could last an hour or more. Your session’s length also depends on how sensitive you are to pain; make sure that you visit an accredited electrologist that understands and can work within your tolerance threshold level.
Electrolysis works best when every hair follicle is caught at its optimal growing phase, which is why consulting an electrologist before beginning treatment is recommended. They will help establish an appointment schedule until all unwanted hairs have been eliminated – such as every week or every other week until all areas have become hair free.
dealing with hirsutism can be both time consuming and emotionally draining, especially for women suffering from PCOS. Finding effective treatment that delivers long-lasting and permanent results is paramount to improving both self-esteem and confidence; investing in getting rid of excess hair permanently should ultimately pay dividends!
Results
An electrologist can permanently eliminate unwanted hair growth caused by PCOS. Electrologists use a device that inserts tiny needles into each individual hair follicle before administering an electric current to destroy them and prevent further growth.
Electrolysis treatments are generally painless for most, while some individuals may experience slight discomfort during their sessions. Numbing creams and cooling techniques may be applied to minimize any pain felt during electrolysis treatment sessions; results are permanent after multiple sessions have taken place. You can find a licensed electrologist online or by contacting your physician’s office; they may have information regarding local service providers specifically catering to PCOS patients.
Laser treatments tend to be faster and can cover larger areas than electrolysis treatments, making it an excellent way to remove hair on legs, arms and back. Unfortunately though, unlike electrolysis they do not offer as precise of results: laser hair removal merely temporarily suspends production for two years or more until new growth takes hold again.
Outside of hair removal, there are other effective strategies for managing PCOS symptoms. A primary physician or endocrinologist can develop a plan to lower your risk for long-term health conditions like heart disease and fertility issues, while prescribing medications to control androgen levels which could reduce excess hair growth.
Management of PCOS symptoms can improve electrolysis and laser hair removal results. A well-controlled eating plan may be beneficial in terms of losing weight while decreasing androgen levels – leading to less hair growth overall.
