The Benefits and Risks of Laser Hair Removal for Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Brian Lett
By Brian Lett
10 Min Read

If your condition has reached stage one or two, laser treatment could be an ideal solution. To receive optimal care it should be administered by a dermatologist.

Finding an experienced laser practitioner is important, as this will reduce the chance of burns or permanent changes to skin color.

Benefits

As it can be treated, hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) can be effectively managed, and laser hair removal may be one of the best strategies. Laser treatment’s goal is to dismantle buildup that leads to blocked follicles and inflammation and abscesses caused by this condition; for an accurate understanding of its benefits and risks in treating HS, consult with an experienced practitioner like Body Details True Laser Centers who has had success treating patients of various severity levels of this illness.

HS is a skin condition affecting areas where two layers of skin often rub together, such as the groin, armpits, buttocks, and breasts. It manifests itself with small red bumps resembling acne that are painful when touched and can even ooze pus. If left untreated they can lead to scarring and tissue damage in severe cases.

Laser hair removal for HS is an effective way to both remove excess hair and decrease pus build-up that may contribute to blocked follicles. Furthermore, it may reduce bump size so they become less noticeable; depending on the severity of follicle blockages several sessions of laser treatments might be required before completely alleviating them.

Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of laser and light therapies for alleviating symptoms in those suffering with mild to moderate Hurley stage I and II HS (also referred to as Hurley stages I and II). When you notice symptoms of HS it’s essential to seek medical help immediately – antibiotics, steroids or biologics may help ease their severity or even stop further progress from worsening them.

Although these studies seem promising, it’s important to keep in mind that they were conducted with small groups of people and more research is required to fully comprehend exactly how laser therapy can alleviate HS symptoms. You may take some time before seeing improvement and treatments may be costly – most insurance policies don’t cover their costs either!

Risks

HSV-2 can be an embarrassing condition, with its unsightly appearance severely impacting one’s self-esteem. But those suffering can take hope as homeopathic and medical treatments can provide effective solutions; laser hair removal has proven particularly useful.

Laser treatment uses high intensities of heat to damage hair follicles and stop future growth, and should only be conducted on healthy skin that has not been irritated or infected; otherwise it could spread infections further. If an area is infected or an abscess exists it should not receive laser treatments as these could increase its spread and potentially aggravate it further.

As soon as a person is first diagnosed with HS, they will typically seek care from a dermatologist – typically an expert in skin diseases – as a first step. Based on how severe their condition is, this doctor may refer them to specialists such as colorectal surgery, plastic surgery or gastroenterology for further assessment and referrals for treatment in order to reduce inflammation, swelling and manage pain effectively in their affected area. The goal of treatment should be reducing swelling while managing pain effectively in that location.

Treatment options range from mild to severe and may include medication, diet and lifestyle modifications as well as surgery in severe cases of the disease. Antibiotics are effective against infections while tumor necrosis factor inhibitors adalimumab (Humira) and infliximab (Remicade) may help to reduce inflammation. Additional biologic therapies have also undergone clinical trials in order to treat hidradenitis suppurativa; oral retinoids might also become effective treatment options in future.

Pain relief and skin care may be the most effective solutions for mild hidradenitis suppurativa cases, with gentle hot compresses and avoiding clothes that irritate leading to considerable relief of discomfort. Furthermore, maintaining a normal weight by eliminating foods with high glycemic index levels could also decrease severity of symptoms.

Laser hair removal has become an increasingly popular treatment choice for those living with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa, providing noninvasive yet painless results that make sores less visible and reduce any possible inflammation. Unfortunately, the results won’t last permanently and will need to be repeated regularly in order to see results.

Cost

If you are suffering from or have been diagnosed with hidradenitis suppurativa, or have just received an official diagnosis of it, there are various treatments available to you. Creams, antibiotics, and even surgery can provide temporary relief of symptoms while simultaneously decreasing time spent dealing with abscesses and pus-filled lesions. But could laser hair removal actually eliminate all your symptoms altogether? According to recent research findings this may indeed be possible!

Lasers emit heat energy that targets and destroys hair follicles, helping prevent hair growth as well as decreasing infection risks in those follicles. The type of laser used is important; different varieties have various effects on the skin. Your dermatologist will choose one based on your medical history and stage of HS; you may require multiple laser treatments every four or six weeks.

Some insurance providers cover this treatment, so it’s wise to contact your provider in order to see what coverage is available. In addition, many clinics provide packages or flexible payment plans.

Laser hair removal offers many other advantages as well, including helping with issues like folliculitis, discoloration and hyperpigmentation. This can make your complexion appear even and healthy while saving time from shaving or waxing sessions.

Laser hair removal may not work for everyone and may not always be covered by health insurance as a cosmetic procedure rather than being covered under medical coverage. Therefore, it’s essential that you discuss this treatment option with your physician to determine whether it’s the best choice for you.

Though laser hair removal may irritate hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), that shouldn’t dissuade you from getting it done if that’s something that interests you. There are multiple approaches available to remove unwanted hair without aggravating HS. Just make sure that you conduct enough research and consult with a healthcare provider about which option is most suitable.

Side Effects

If you are considering laser hair removal as an option for your HS, be sure to see a dermatologist with clinical training in this procedure. They will be able to advise whether it would be effective and suggest any additional therapies which might benefit.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa causes painful, boil-like bumps to form on your skin. These lumps often fill with pus, emitting an unpleasant odor. Recurrent outbreaks can pose a significant threat to emotional and psychological well-being by making you anxious, embarrassed, angry or self-conscious; sleeping, working or sexual activities become compromised; in extreme cases they may lead to major surgery and infections of sores on the body.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa can often go undetected. People may suffer for years before receiving an official diagnosis. The symptoms resemble those of acne and are difficult to differentiate from other conditions. If hidradenitis Suppurativa is suspected, your healthcare provider will perform an evaluation and take samples for laboratory analyses.

Before seeking laser hair removal treatment for hidradenitis suppurativa, ensure all excess hair has been eliminated. Furthermore, avoid shaving or using electric razors on the affected areas as this could irritate skin further and provoke flare ups of your condition.

Laser hair removal treatments use high intensities of heat delivered directly to the base of hair follicles to destroy cells that produce hair. To withstand such intense temperatures safely and prevent infections or inflammation of your skin it is vital that it remains in good condition.

Your doctor will decide how many laser treatments are necessary and when to have them. Be sure to follow his or her instructions prior to and following each laser session, including avoiding direct sunlight on treated areas, not tanning beds/lamps use, as well as following post-treatment care recommendations from your dermatologist.

There are various medications that can be used to manage hidradenitis suppurativa, including anti-inflammatory agents, antibiotics and hormonal therapy. Hormonal treatment may reduce inflammation while improving skin appearance and decreasing recurrent episodes; examples include estrogen-containing combined oral contraceptives like Spironolactone and Isotretinoin.

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