People living with PCOS often suffer from excessive hair growth. This is often linked to depression and anxiety.
Both laser treatment and electrolysis offer permanent hair removal solutions; however, both procedures may cause moderate pain during sessions and require multiple sessions before full results become evident. Is electrolysis permanent for hirsutism and PCOS?
How It Works
PCOS women may experience excessive hair growth on their faces, chins and necks due to hormones; this can be very embarrassing and is caused by heredity or high levels of androgens (male hormones). Aside from hirsutism symptoms such as the hairiness in family history; some common signs include:
If you are experiencing these symptoms, it is recommended that you seek evaluation and treatment from either your primary doctor or endocrinologist. They will be able to recommend the most effective ways of relieving the symptoms as well as address any underlying health conditions. Electrolysis is one effective solution for permanently eliminating unwanted hair growth; this procedure involves inserting a fine needle into each hair follicle opening before administering an electrical current that destroys it and stops producing new hair growth.
An electrologist with proper training will use a medical-grade device called an epilator that features fine needles as small as hair follicles themselves to administer electric current. Electrodes used in electrolysis may be made from metal, graphite or semiconductor materials depending on chemical reactivity and cost considerations; their selection typically depends on chemical reactivity as well as cost considerations; electrolyte solutions can either be liquid or solid but for efficient electrolysis results it is typically recommended that liquid electrolysis solutions be utilized; electrolysis also works with gases although usually this form is less utilized by practitioners.
An electric current passed between electrodes causes the ions to move toward those with opposite charges; those with positive charges (cations) being drawn toward electron-providing cathodes where they exchange their extra electrons for neutral atoms and create new ions; while negative-charged ones (anions) being drawn toward negatively charged anodes where their excess electrons become chlorine molecules and form new ions.
Electrolysis works by having the ions react chemically with one another to form the compounds that make up hair, using slow chemical reactions that take time to complete – hence why electrolysis takes much longer than other methods for hair removal; however, it remains FDA approved as an effective permanent method. When selecting an electrologist, ask friends or family for recommendations and look for somewhere clean and well maintained with free consultation services available as well as offering answers to all questions thoroughly.
Safety
There are various methods for removing unwanted hair, such as shaving, waxing and chemical depilatories; however, they often require time-consuming maintenance and can cause skin irritation. Electrolysis is the only FDA-recognized permanent hair removal option and works particularly well for hormonally induced hair growth due to PCOS. When selecting an electrologist who utilizes high-quality equipment with extensive training in performing the procedure – your local doctor’s office or even online search results could be your source.
Of course, some modest hair growth is normal, while excessive or rapid hair growth (known as hirsutism) is one of the hallmarks of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Women living with this condition typically exhibit signs such as excess hair on their chins, breasts, legs or other parts of their bodies – though frustrating they’re not harmful and getting an early diagnosis so treatment can begin is key for maintaining health.
Those suffering from PCOS will typically be prescribed spironolactone to decrease androgen levels in their bodies. It’s essential that patients adhere to their doctor’s orders regarding taking this medication exactly as instructed, while also eating healthily and exercising regularly, in order to manage weight control while improving skin quality.
Electrolysis is an effective solution to eliminate unwanted hair, whether at home or a professional salon. The procedure entails inserting a fine wire into each individual follicle before attaching an end thermocouple and passing an electric current down it – damaging and stopping hair follicles from producing more.
Galvanic and thermolytic electrolysis are two forms of electrolysis. Galvanic uses chemical reactions to destroy hair follicles while thermolytic uses heat instead. Some professionals combine both techniques for enhanced results. It’s essential to choose an electrologist with a CPE certificate who uses high-quality equipment; in addition, schedule a consultation or sample treatment prior to beginning electrolysis treatments.
Side Effects
Electrolysis is a permanent hair removal technique that can effectively treat certain forms of unwanted hair. Electrolysis works by dissolving the root of each follicle to stop producing additional hair follicles; although typically not painful, electrolysis treatment requires multiple sessions over a longer timeframe and may be costly; insurance providers may cover costs if prescribed by a physician.
Electrolysis often leaves redness behind in its wake, lasting from several days depending on your skin sensitivity. A small scab may form around the opening of your hair follicle – this is normal but should be left alone; rather than scratching it away to avoid infection it is recommended using antibacterial cream or ointment on it to soothe any potential discomfort.
People with darker skin may notice some discoloration around where they had electrolysis performed due to hair follicle pigment being broken up by electrical current, leaving dark spots which will gradually fade as their body heals.
Electrolysis may help alleviate some symptoms associated with PCOS, but cannot address its hormonal effects or underlying issues. Anyone experiencing symptoms should visit an endocrinologist for further testing and diagnosis; such symptoms might include irregular menstrual cycles, excessive hair growth, acne or weight management issues.
Physicians may recommend medication to control unwanted hair growth as a side effect of PCOS, such as androgen-lowering pills, to decrease androgen levels in the body and manage other aspects of this condition, such as hair growth. They may also prescribe an oral sex pill in extreme cases to combat sexual dysfunction caused by hormone imbalance. For those experiencing hair growth due to PCOS, treating their hormone imbalance with lifestyle modifications (consultations with an electrologist can assist) and treatment (pills or treatments) alone are often inadequate solutions; to accomplish this, medications alone won’t do the trick – treatment + lifestyle change should do just the trick – although.
Cost
Electrolysis works to treat every hair in an area and takes time to treat each follicle individually, so consistency in appointments is required — you cannot shave, pluck or wax between sessions. “Electrolysis destroys approximately 35 percent of each follicle at each treatment session so up to 18 sessions spaced three or four weeks apart may be required in order to completely rid yourself of hair in one area,” according to Dana Elise Solutions in Beverly Hills, CA.
Electrolysis may help people living with PCOS who experience hair growth issues due to this condition. While considered cosmetic procedures and not typically covered by insurance plans, electrolysis is definitely worth exploring for those hoping to be free from hair permanently.
During a typical treatment session, a technician uses a fine needle to insert into each hair follicle and send a very low electric current through it, damaging its ability to produce new hair growth. Although this can be an intensive and time-consuming process, the results are permanent: over several treatments hair growth gradually decreases until eventually stopping altogether for many people.
Electrolysis can be used to treat nearly every area of the body, including eyebrows, eyelids, ears, chest and stomach. Electrolysis is suitable for all skin types and colors compared to laser hair removal techniques.
As with any procedure, it’s vitally important to choose an experienced and licensed professional to carry out the procedure. Furthermore, it may be wise to look for someone with knowledge in dealing with your type of hair and skin; an electrologist who specializes in permanent eyebrow shaping might have more insight into hair follicles and how best to treat them.
Hormonal changes and conditions can contribute to unwanted hair growth, so if you’re experiencing issues it is wise to visit your physician immediately. They can identify the underlying issue as well as recommend treatment solutions; for instance if you suffer from PCOS and are struggling with hirsutism an endocrinologist can prescribe medication to regulate hormone imbalance.
