If you’re living with PCOS, you’ll know the frustration of dealing with stubborn, unwanted hair that seems to have a mind of its own.
You may have tried endless waxing appointments, shaving routines, or depilatory creams, only to find the regrowth feels faster and thicker than ever.
PCOS is something that can affect not only your skin but also your confidence.
This article explores how laser hair removal can help manage PCOS-related hair growth, what a personalised treatment plan looks like, and what kind of results you can expect.
If you’ve been searching for a longer-term solution that works with your lifestyle, you’re in the right place.
What is PCOS
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal condition, affecting around 1 in 10 women of reproductive age in the UK. It can develop at any point after puberty, with symptoms often becoming noticeable in the late teens or early twenties.
It can cause a range of symptoms, from irregular periods and weight fluctuations to skin changes and excessive hair growth. While the condition is different for everyone, one thing is consistent: it can have a real impact on daily life.
Many of our clients come to us feeling frustrated that traditional hair removal methods simply can’t keep up with PCOS-related growth.
It’s not just about convenience, it’s about regaining control over your body and feeling comfortable in your own skin.
Understanding PCOS & Why it Causes Hair Growth
One of the hallmarks of PCOS is a hormonal imbalance, particularly higher levels of androgens (male hormones that women also produce naturally). Elevated androgens can stimulate hair follicles in areas typically associated with male hair growth patterns, such as the face, chest, stomach, and back.
This excessive hair growth, known as hirsutism, affects up to 70% of women with PCOS.
In PCOS, hair follicles in these areas are more sensitive to hormonal changes, which means they respond by producing thicker, darker hair.
This growth often resists normal shaving or waxing, as the follicles remain active and stimulated, leading to a faster and more persistent regrowth cycle.
For many, this isn’t just a cosmetic concern; it can have a significant impact on self-esteem, social interactions, and overall confidence.
How PCOS is Diagnosed
PCOS is usually diagnosed through a combination of medical history, physical examination, blood tests, and ultrasound imaging.
If you notice signs like irregular or absent periods, increased hair growth in unusual areas, acne, or unexpected weight gain, it’s worth speaking to your GP.
While there’s no single test that gives an instant PCOS diagnosis, doctors often use something called the Rotterdam criteria, which looks at symptoms, blood hormone levels, and ovarian appearance to confirm the condition.
The Rotterdam Criteria For PCOS
To help confirm a PCOS diagnosis, doctors often refer to the Rotterdam criteria. This states that a diagnosis can be made if at least two of the following are present:
- Irregular or absent ovulation, often seen as missed or infrequent periods.
- Higher-than-normal androgen levels, confirmed by blood tests or visible symptoms such as excess hair growth or acne.
- Polycystic ovaries on ultrasound, showing multiple small follicles
Why PCOS Can Become an Issue for Sufferers
Beyond its hormonal roots, PCOS can influence many areas of overall well-being.
It may contribute to weight management difficulties, changes in skin texture, and fluctuations in energy levels. It can also have an impact on reproductive health, which for some may bring its own emotional challenges.
For many, however, the most visible effect is unwanted hair growth in areas where it’s not typically expected. When this becomes noticeable, especially on the face or neck, it can affect how someone feels in professional, social, and personal situations.
The ongoing need to manage regrowth can be tiring, particularly when the results of traditional methods are short-lived.
Over time, this can affect confidence and self-image just as much as the physical symptoms themselves.
While there’s currently no cure for PCOS, targeted treatments can help reduce the impact of its symptoms.
For those most affected by hair growth, laser hair removal offers a practical way to take back control and feel more comfortable in their own skin.
Managing PCOS With Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is one of the most effective ways to target unwanted hair at its root.
For PCOS sufferers, it’s not just a beauty treatment; it’s a way to regain freedom from the constant cycle of temporary fixes.
We use advanced medical-grade laser technology to directly target the pigment in the hair follicle, disrupting its ability to regrow. This means smoother skin, fewer ingrown hairs, and far less time spent managing unwanted hair.
Advantages of Treating Excess Hair Growth With a Laser
- Long-term reduction in hair growth, with fewer touch-ups needed over time.
- Targets the hair follicle directly for more effective results than surface methods.
- Minimises ingrown hairs and irritation often caused by shaving or waxing.
- Suitable for larger or multiple areas in a single session.
- Quick treatment times with no downtime, allowing you to resume normal activities immediately.
- Leaves skin smoother and softer compared to other hair removal methods.
- Reduces the need for frequent, repetitive hair removal routines.
- Can improve confidence by addressing one of the most visible PCOS symptoms.
How Laser Hair Removal Helps Reduce Excessive Hair Growth
By targeting the follicle during its active growth phase, laser hair removal can significantly reduce the thickness, density, and regrowth speed of hair over time. For PCOS, this means breaking the cycle of daily or weekly hair removal and achieving long-lasting results.
Our clients in Weybridge often tell us that this change isn’t just skin deep; it’s about feeling more confident socially, professionally, and personally.
While the hormonal cause of hair growth remains, regular maintenance sessions can keep regrowth to a minimum.
Creating a Personalised Laser Hair Removal Plan for PCOS
We know that PCOS hair growth patterns can be different for everyone, which is why we create bespoke treatment plans for each of our patients.
During your consultation at our Weybridge clinic, we’ll assess your skin type, hair colour, growth pattern, and hormonal influences to design a schedule that works for you.
Treatment frequency and number of sessions can vary, but for PCOS-related hair growth, we often recommend a slightly more regular maintenance plan to keep results consistent over the long term – usually one session every 3 to 4 months to keep results consistent over the long term.
What to Expect During Your Treatment Sessions
At Light Touch Clinic, your comfort and safety are our priority. Before treatment begins, we’ll clean and prepare the area and apply continuous cooling during your treatment to minimise any discomfort. Most clients describe the sensation as a quick snap of warmth on the skin, which fades almost instantly.
Laser hair removal sessions are relatively quick, depending on the size of the area treated, and there’s no downtime, meaning you can get back to your day right away. We’ll also give you aftercare advice to keep your skin calm and protected between sessions.
Anticipated Results and Long-Term Hair Reduction
While results vary from person to person, most clients notice a visible reduction in hair growth after just a few sessions.
Over a full course of treatments, and with maintenance sessions, hair becomes finer, lighter, and much slower to grow back.
Many people with PCOS find that regular laser hair removal frees them from the constant worry of managing unwanted hair each day. Instead, they enjoy long-lasting smoothness and a noticeable boost in confidence, which is exactly what we aim to deliver here at Light Touch Clinic in Surrey.
Final Thoughts
Living with PCOS can bring daily challenges, and for many, unwanted hair growth is one of the most visible and emotionally draining symptoms. PCOS laser hair removal offers a long-term way to reduce this growth, giving you back valuable time, smoother skin, and renewed confidence.
At Light Touch Clinic in Weybridge, Surrey, we create personalised treatment plans tailored to the unique needs of those with PCOS, using advanced medical-grade technology to deliver safe, effective results. If you’re ready to break free from the cycle of constant hair removal, we’re here to help.
Book your consultation today and take the first step towards lasting hair reduction and greater confidence.
