If you’re a woman with hirsutism (i.e., excessive hair growth), you know how frustrating it can be to deal with. The hair can make you feel self-conscious, and experimenting with different hair removal methods without success can be deeply demoralizing.

While it can be frustrating, rest assured that you’re not alone – hirsutism impacts as many as 10% of women in the United States. Many of them eventually find an effective solution with laser hair removal, which is the quickest and most convenient long-lasting hair removal method.

What Is Hirsutism? Excessive Hair Growth and Its Causes

Hirsutism is excessive hair growth in women. It refers to unusually thick or dark hair in areas normally associated with male pattern hair growth, including the face, chest, abdomen, back, buttocks, or thighs. It’s not a health condition on its own, but the term doctors use to describe this common physiological occurrence.

The term hirsutism only applies to women, while excessive hair growth in men is referred to as “hypertrichosis”.

In other cases, it can be caused by the way your hair follicles interact with those hormones, even if your levels aren’t particularly high. This is likely the underlying cause for “idiopathic hirsutism,” which is excessive hair growth without a clear underlying cause.

Hirsutism can occur as a result of various conditions or medications that cause hormonal imbalance, especially ones that elevate the levels of male sex hormones in the body. The most common cause of hirsutism is polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a condition that impacts as many as 6% to 12% of women worldwide.

Other conditions that may lead to excessive hair growth include thyroid dysfunction, adrenal hyperplasia, and hyperprolactinemia. It can also occur as a result of certain medications, especially hormonal therapies like androgens, anabolic steroids, and estrogen blockers. Minoxidil, which is often prescribed specifically to treat hair loss, may also cause hair growth in unintended body parts.

Laser Hair Removal as a Solution for Hirsutism

No matter the underlying reason for your hirsutism, laser hair removal can present a fast and lasting solution that’ll help you regain your confidence. It’s an ideal treatment even if you can’t stop taking your medication, or if you’re still in the process of diagnosis.

It’s frequently recommended by doctors and mental health professionals thanks to its safety and efficacy in different situations. This treatment works based on a principle called selective photothermolysis. In simpler terms, the light of the laser is incredibly focused. It’s attracted to the dark pigment in your hair follicles, and none of the skin around it.

Once absorbed by the hair, the light converts into heat that damages the root of the hair. This damage has long-term effects, stopping hair growth in its tracks. Laser works when the hair is connected to the dermal papillae and actively growing, which usually only applies to 10%-15% of the hairs. As a result, patients need to undergo numerous laser hair removal treatments to achieve significant hair reduction.

Those dealing with hirsutism may need more touch-up treatments even once completing their initial series of treatments, as future hormonal fluctuations may trigger some regrowth. That said, even the occasional treatment is far more convenient than the daily or weekly hassle of other hair removal methods.

Benefits of Laser Hair Removal for Hirsutism 

Excessive hair growth can take a significant mental and physical toll. Dealing with the hair itself can wreak havoc on your skin since most hair removal methods can be very irritating, and the resulting stubble or ingrown hairs can damage your self-esteem. Laser hair removal is the best treatment for addressing hirsutism for the following reasons.

Lasting Results

Laser hair removal is usually referred to as a “permanent hair reduction method,” since its results can be maintained indefinitely (especially with occasional touch-ups). Studies show that patients with hirsutism were able to achieve as much as 50% to 80% hair reduction, depending on the specific technology used.

Smoothness From the Root 

A major benefit of laser hair removal over shaving is its ability to create smooth skin from the root. Women with hirsutism often find that shaving leaves behind noticeable stubble, so it’s not a viable solution for their unwanted hair. Laser thins out the hair significantly, resulting in skin that’s smoother to the touch and visibly clearer.

Cost-Saving 

Women with hirsutism can spend thousands of dollars throughout their lifetime on waxing, shaving, and other hair removal methods. While laser can be costly at the outset, it offers long-term savings.

Effective on All Body Parts

Excessive hair growth can impact many different body parts. You’ll be happy to know that laser is a head to toe solution. Most women with hirsutism opt for full body laser hair removal, which includes the face, legs, trunk, arms, underarms, back, bikini area, and literally every other body part that can be treated safely. Facial laser hair removal on its own is also a popular option, especially for women who experience excessive hair growth on multiple parts of their face, such as the chin, jawline, cheeks, and upper lip.

Non-Irritating

Your skin may not be thick or resilient enough to endure harsh hair removal methods for thick hair growth, especially on your face or neck. Women dealing with hirsutism often suffer from ingrown hairs, razor burn, folliculitis, and even scarring as a result of hair removal methods like shaving or waxing. By clearing away the hair and preventing new growth, laser can help your skin finally recover from the constant irritation and damage.

Affirming Self-Esteem Boost 

Hirsutism can damage your self-esteem and make you feel isolated in your struggle. Your laser hair removal results will boost your confidence, and being treated by a laser nurse or technician who understands what you’re going through can also be very affirming.

Complementary Treatments

The wonderful thing about laser hair removal for hirsutism is that it doesn’t interfere with other interventions.

Doctors often prescribe antiandrogens or oral contraceptives as a way of treating the underlying hormonal imbalance. These medications alone can help with some excessive hair growth, but not always. Combining them with laser hair removal often results in faster or more long-lasting hair reduction.

You might also be able to combine laser hair removal with other hair reduction methods, especially if some of your hair doesn’t respond to laser. For example, laser hair removal doesn’t work on blonde or gray hair. You can rely on the quicker and more affordable laser hair removal to clear away as much dark hair as possible, and then finish things off with electrolysis to eliminate the remaining hairs.

Long-Term Hair Management Solutions

Hirsutism in women can be frustrating, impacting your mental health and the health of your skin. While figuring out the underlying cause of excessive hair growth can take time and resources, laser hair removal is always useful for actively reducing unwanted hair. Because it permanently targets the follicle, it’s a lasting solution that’ll save you the pain and hassle of constant shaving or waxing.

At SEV, our technicians and nurses have worked with countless patients dealing with hirsutism. SEV laser machines deliver a targeted treatment, with wavelengths tailored to safely treat you based on your skin tone. We believe in making laser hair removal a more accessible treatment, so you’ll always enjoy a welcoming experience for a budget-friendly price.

If you’re ready to deal with that unwanted hair growth once and for all, book a laser hair removal appointment at your nearest SEV.