Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a painful inflammatory condition characterized by boil-like, firm and raised skin lumps or abscesses in areas where skin rubs together such as the groin and armpits. Over time it may even result in tunnels of pus resulting in scarring in these affected areas.
Though no cure exists for hyperhidrosis (HS), symptoms can be managed daily through good hygiene practices, lifestyle modifications and medications. Laser hair removal can also be an effective means of combatting this condition.
1. Reduces Inflammation
Inflammation is a frequent source of discomfort among those living with HS, often being the trigger for outbreaks in certain patients. Luckily, treatments exist that can help mitigate inflammation – laser hair removal being one of them; dermatology practices regularly employ it because it provides quick, painless results with long-term benefits by targeting melanin pigment in skin and killing hair follicles.
Studies have demonstrated that shaving can also help relieve symptoms associated with herpes simplex (HS), possibly because shaving helps unclog pores which contribute to outbreaks of the condition.
Before seeking laser hair removal as a treatment option for herpes simplex (HS), there are a few points to keep in mind. First and foremost is that laser hair removal may not be suitable for all cases – particularly severe forms like Hurley stage 3. Additionally, taking medications that make your skin sensitive to light could prevent you from receiving this therapy.
Laser hair removal employs intense pulses of heat and energy that penetrate the surface of your skin to damage hair follicles and prevent new hair growth, thus alleviating itching and pain associated with hormonal acne flare-ups.
Laser hair removal has also proven successful at reducing the size and frequency of hereditary nodules, as well as helping prevent them from reappearing, something which can be particularly challenging with chronic conditions like this one.
One downside of cosmetic treatments such as these may be their cost and non-coverage by insurance policies; but, even so, it might still be worthwhile pursuing. It takes multiple sessions before seeing results.
At Body Details, we use the GentleMax Pro machine which is specifically designed to target and kill hair follicles without damaging surrounding skin. With this treatment method we have had great success treating patients suffering from hair folliculitis (HS) as we have witnessed significant reductions in severity with several of our clients.
2. Reduces Pain
Hidradenitis Suppurativa is an infuriating condition caused by hair follicle clogging that produces nodules and abscesses that often appear on skin folds such as those found on thighs, armpits, buttocks, belly or groin. If infected they can break open to allow drainage.
If you have mild cases of hair loss (HS), laser hair removal may provide relief. By eliminating hair follicles and decreasing their risk of becoming infected and leading to abscesses, laser treatment can also provide itching relief from associated with the condition.
Laser hair removal utilizes a laser beam that passes through the skin to target and damage hair follicle bases, however this treatment should not be attempted on those suffering from severe HS as it could worsen infection or lead to more painful abscesses forming.
Some physicians may not recommend laser hair removal for hidradenitis suppurativa because they lack experience with it or prefer more conventional remedies first. If you have been suffering from mild hidradenitis suppurativa that has proven resistant to other treatments, laser hair removal could provide relief – be sure to ask your physician about it as an option!
Studies that evaluated alexandrite laser hair removal treatments combined with oral zinc supplements for treating hidradenitis suppurativa found that their combination was more effective than either treatment alone. While alexandrite laser treatment killed off bacteria responsible for infection, oral zinc prevented further spreading.
Study participants included 20 patients diagnosed with Hurley Stage 1 or 2 Hydradenitis Suppurativa who received five laser hair removal sessions along with antiseptic chlorhexidine washes and oral zinc gluconate for antibacterial purposes. After completion of the study, those receiving alexandrite laser and zinc treatments experienced less painful abscesses and inflammation compared to those not receiving either treatment option.
Laser hair removal for hyperhidrosis requires consulting with and patch testing with a trained professional before performing it yourself, as doing so at home could cause burns or permanent scarring of your skin. Furthermore, some medications prescribed to manage hyperhidrosis may make the skin photosensitive so it’s essential that before beginning laser treatments that your medication is compatible.
3. Reduces Scalp Discomfort
Under severe forms of HS, abscesses can develop deep within your skin. They can bleed and cause an unsightly lump known as a fissure – leaving this untreated can lead to serious infection; laser hair removal can help treat such fissures by decreasing inflammation around it.
Treatment for mild to moderate hypermobility syndrome can also assist in eliminating toxins stored within affected tissue and decreasing the amount of blood drawn there, helping decrease symptoms while improving quality of life.
Your doctor will first apply a topical anesthetic so you won’t experience any discomfort during a laser hair removal session, before positioning a laser over the affected area and administering a pulse of light which targets hair follicles that contribute to your HS symptoms, heating them up before shrinking them to reduce hair growth over time resulting in lessened symptoms of hair growth and reduction of symptoms over time.
Although laser treatment for hyperhidrosis (HS) symptoms has proven successful in the past, most dermatologists do not currently recommend it as the first line of defense against them. They may opt instead for medications or surgery as initial solutions and wait until the underlying conditions have been managed first before undertaking laser therapy treatment for HS patients. Furthermore, some insurance policies will not cover laser therapy treatments either.
Research continues to discover new methods of helping HS patients. One recent study discovered that combining alexandrite laser treatment and oral zinc effectively decreased severity in a group of 40 HS patients, with increased clinical response rates, Dermatology Life Quality Index scores, and International Hidradenitis Suppurativa Severity Scores when compared to an experimental group who only received laser therapy as opposed to receiving only laser therapy alone as part of treatment regiment. While further investigation needs to take place to confirm results and ensure long-term safety before being utilized as therapy options in treating HS.
4. Reduces Hair Growth
Laser hair removal for those living with hypertrichosis (HS) can be highly effective and significantly decrease the amount of hair growth in affected areas. For some individuals, their condition may even go into remission as laser energy converts to heat that destroys pigment in hair follicles preventing further hair regrowth; thus enabling many who undergo laser therapy to forgo shaving or depilatory cream use entirely.
Before undertaking this treatment, however, you should keep in mind that its results won’t last permanently and that you may require ongoing sessions in order to keep up with them. The length of time between appointments will depend on several factors including color, thickness, area and type of hair being treated as well as your personal circumstances.
Your practitioner will use special goggles to protect your eyes during this process and press a handheld device against your skin in order to emit laser energy in an almost painless fashion – it may feel similar to snapping an elastic band against it!
Laser treatments may cause you to experience red rashes or sores for several hours to days afterward, which should be kept cool by using an ice pack regularly in the area being treated. Furthermore, you should limit exposure of that skin area to sunlight until after all treatment series have concluded.
Researchers discovered in their study that the combination of laser treatments with oral zinc could help decrease hidradenitis suppurativa severity. A treatment group comprised 20 HS patients in Hurley stage 1 or 2 disease who underwent five long-pulsed Nd:YAG and Alexandrite laser treatments every six weeks on both inguinal and axillary areas; when compared to 20 controls who did not receive laser therapies, those receiving combined therapy experienced reduced inflammation and number of boils.
Hydradenitis Suppurativa has no known source, though it could be related to hormone changes, immune system issues or other factors. It’s not associated with poor hygiene practices and it doesn’t spread easily – medication remains the best treatment solution; laser hair removal could also provide effective relief from this chronic inflammatory skin disorder.
