Are you noticing unexpected hair growth in areas you’re not used to? If you’ve recently switched medications or started a new prescription, it could be the cause of your unwanted hair. Here’s what you should know about medications, excessive hair growth, and how laser hair removal can help.

Understanding Excessive Hair Growth Due to Medications

The human hair follicle has three main phases in its growth cycle. Certain medications can interfere with these phases, causing excessive hair growth (also known as hypertrichosis or hirsutism).

Anagen Phase

This is the growth stage. Around 90% of your head hairs are in this stage at any given time, allowing growth to happen quickly. The hairs on other parts of the body have shorter anagen stages, meaning less hair growth.

Catagen Phase

This is the transition stage when hair growth slows down and the hair follicle starts to shrink.

Telogen/Exogen Phase

This is sometimes separated into two stages: resting and shedding. The telogen stage is the resting phase, during which your hair stops growing. Some of the hairs may separate completely and fall out to make room for new hair, known as the exogen phase.

Phase Length

The area of the body growing the hair affects how much hair growth occurs. Body parts with long hair (like your scalp) have longer anagen phases, up to 150 weeks. The catagen phase lasts 1-3 weeks, and the telogen/exogen phase lasts about 12 weeks.

In contrast, areas with short hair (like the female upper lip) have shorter phases — anagen: 16 weeks, catagen: one week, and telogen: six weeks. Leg hair has the longest telogen phase, lasting up to six months.

The Correlation Between Medication and Hirsutism 

Now that you understand the hair growth cycle, it’s easier to explain why some medications cause excessive hair growth. Chemical interactions within the body can interfere with that cycle, affecting the phases of the hair follicle.

Mechanism of Hair Growth Stimulation

In most cases, medication-triggered hair growth happens because the drug interrupts the telogen (resting) phase and triggers the anagen (growth) phase. This causes hair to grow quickly in areas where it usually grows slowly, and lengthens the amount of time the follicle stays in the growth phase.

Laser Hair Removal as a Solution

While certain medications can cause hirsutism (excessive hair growth), of course, many are necessary for your health and well-being.

If you’re required to take any of these medications, laser hair removal can offer an effective way to manage unwanted hair growth and help you maintain smoother skin without compromising your treatment.

Reducing Medication-Induced Hair Growth

Laser hair removal only works on hair in the anagen phase. This is because hair only has melanin during the growth phase, and laser hair removal works by targeting this pigment.

The effectiveness of laser hair removal for medication-induced hair growth depends on many factors, including which medication you’re taking and what area you’re treating. This is why our specialists at SEV Laser recommend a consultation to discuss your expectations and make proper estimates.

Generally speaking, a single laser hair removal session can remove up to 25% of unwanted hair, and repeated sessions can remove up to 90%. The longevity of your results can vary, but significant hair reduction can last up to 12 months.

Depending on the type of hair and its growth phases, the number of sessions you need to achieve your desired results will vary. It’s also important to remember that if you continue taking a medication that causes excessive hair growth, the hair might grow back after laser hair removal. Fortunately, occasional touch-up sessions will help you maintain your results.

SEV Hair Growth Cycle chart

Treatment Process and Considerations

There are a few things to consider before you sign up for laser hair removal for hirsutism. Be ready for pre-treatment preparations, the procedure itself, and post-treatment care.

Pre-Treatment Preparations

Prior to your appointment, we’ll have you fill out a consent form online. It’s important to review it to ensure you’re a suitable candidate for treatment.

Before administering any laser treatments at SEV, our nurses or laser technicians will assess your skin phototype which will let us know which laser to use for the best results. Your nurse may also ask you about the medications you are on which will help us figure out how many sessions you are likely to need.

Pre-treatment preparation for laser hair removal can take a week or two. If you are using retinoids or take medications that increase skin sensitivity, you’ll need to stop in the days leading up to your treatment. Make sure to avoid all unprotected sun exposure and self-tanners. Shave 24 to 48 hours before your appointment, as laser hair removal works better on shorter hair.

Laser Hair Removal Procedure

Laser hair removal treatment works by targeting pigmented hairs in their growth stage. Since not all hairs are in anagen phase at the same time, repeated treatments over a period of time are needed.

The length and number of treatments depends on which area of the body is being treated since the length of the hair growth phase differs from body part to body part. In most cases, at least six laser hair removal sessions are required to target all follicles, and you may see results sooner.

Areas commonly treated for excessive hair growth are the upper lip, chin, neck, chest, and back. Laser hair removal is ideal for getting rid of unwanted hair across almost all areas of the body, including more sensitive zones like the face, breasts, and bikini line.

Post-Treatment Care

You’ll need to follow strict skin care guidelines to avoid irritation after your laser hair removal treatment. Use cold compresses and aloe to decrease any heat you may feel in the treated area.

Don’t shave again for at least 10 days, and don’t wax, tweeze, or use depilatory creams. To prevent irritation, you should also avoid intense exercise and moist heat for 24 to 72 hours after each session.

Make sure to apply sunscreen, wear a hat, and cover up when you go outside. Your skin is most vulnerable following treatments like laser hair removal, increasing your risk for hyperpigmentation and sun damage.

Be prepared for potential side effects, such as itchiness, redness, slight swelling around hair follicles, or ingrown hairs. These side effects are usually mild and go away quickly.

Ready For Laser Hair Removal?

Laser hair removal is the most effective and convenient method for managing excessive hair growth, especially in cases of medication-induced hirsutism.

However, for your treatment to be fully effective, you need a skilled nurse or laser technician who will be able to determine two critical factors: what type of laser is safest for your skin tone, and how to adjust the device accordingly.

At SEV Laser, our staff approach every new client with understanding and compassion. We appreciate the opportunity to help you boost your confidence and well-being! We’ll walk you through the laser hair removal process and help you decide whether it’s right for you.

Not sure about scheduling an appointment? To learn more about laser hair removal at SEV Laser, schedule a consultation for a personalized evaluation to discuss your skin type, goals, and expectations.

We also provide transparent, flexible pricing to ensure our clients feel confident in their decisions before making any commitments.