1. Community
  2. Women's health
  3. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

hirsuitism

Posted , 4 users are following.

mel85
mel85

Hi ladies, I have had hirsuitism in the form of a beard for over 6 years and have finally found something that is working so I want to give some advice on what has been a very successful endeavour. Firstly if you are looking at IPL intense pulse laser, forget it, its the biggest waste of money and just doesn't work. A medical grade laser that only a doctor can perform the laser treatment is what you need. I have spent alot of wasted money on IPL to find its not suitable for hirsuitism caused by pcos. I am only on my 2nd session of medical grade laser treatment and I have had amazing results. The sessions are $250 australian dollars and I may need 6-12 treatments, every case is different though and it could be less or more depending on how the treatments go. My doctor has also recommended a session once a year. Don't give up hope ladies!!

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • j25x
    j25x mel85

    Posted

    Hi Mel,

    Thank you for the great post and I'm happy you've found a solution.

    I too suffer from this and have been paying for IPL for about 4 years, although, it does seem to work on some areas it hasn't completely disappeared.

    I've never heard of the medical grade laser treatment here in the UK but will look definitely look into it.

    Would be great to hear more about it from yourself. What is the difference between the two laser treatments?

    J

    x

    • Ginagirl
      Ginagirl j25x

      Posted

      skin clinics do Facial hair Treatment.. 
  • masha17
    masha17 mel85

    Posted

    Hi and thanx for encouriging story!

    I suffer from PCOS and facial hair has been a problem for me for over a 15 years. It has gradually gotten worse. 

    I've tried everything apart from oral creams and contraceptives and had no significant results. I eat well and exercise, have regular periods and my hormones are in order (at least on paper) and yet I need to pluck/wax/shave sad

    My experiece with medical laser is mixed. It did give some results (I had only my chin and upper lip done), but it provoked hair growth on my lower cheeks! I was warned by my doctor that it may happen. That is why I've stopped the treatments. 

    In the first medical center, I've had severe edema after each session. In the second only some redness which would soon go away.

    Btw, I live in Paris and there are different prices, usually beginning at 50 EUR (55 USD / 74 AUD) a session. 

    I may try again this winter.

    • Ginagirl
      Ginagirl masha17

      Posted

      Paris? I am near London.. Skin Clinics In Paris will have Laser treatment. Not sure why it would provoke treatment if it's strong enough laser.. You may need quite a few sessions.. The laser has to kill the follicals of each hair.. So if you have it to excess it will take longer..
    • masha17
      masha17 Ginagirl

      Posted

      Thank you, I'll be mhopefully more persistant this winter. I was discouraged by the appearance of new hair in places where I hadn't had them before. As it gets worse with age, I'd like to find a reasonable solution before the menopause.
    • Ginagirl
      Ginagirl masha17

      Posted

      Better in the Winter hair growth is slower..
    • masha17
      masha17 Ginagirl

      Posted

      And I need to wait to lose the tan. Even though I do not sunbathe and always use a facial cream with UV protection, I manage to get tanned.
  • mel85
    mel85

    Posted

    Yes I have also read on my patient form at the doctors that the laser treatment can in a very small percentage cause hair growth in areas. I was lucky enough not to experience this and I, like many women with hirsuitism was willing to try anything. I tried spirolactone and metformin both of which made me nauseous. I was surprised to find such little information that gives us women who experience this extremely embarrasing condition some idea on how we can live and feel normal with this horrible condition. I spoke to numerous beauty clinics who claimed IPL worked for polycystic ovarian patients, when its just not true. Go and find a doctor who can perform it with a medical grade laser (I urge all of you to research the difference between just and laser treatment and medical frade) it will change your life. I was shaving for years and had a horrible 5 o'clock shadow every morning and sometimes even at night. The shaving caused shaving rash also. I can finally hug people and be intimate with my husband and let him kiss my neck and chin without being embarrased.
    • Ginagirl
      Ginagirl mel85

      Posted

      Thank you for your information..hard for any woman to have facial hair.. This happens as we get older during th e Menopause.. My Mother suffered facial hair and plucked.. I did but have very little now as I have had laser treatment facial to remove any sparse hair.. ButPolycystic Ovarian disease is cone t to hormones but would be a different condition altogether. 
  • fi03229
    fi03229 mel85

    Posted

    Hi,

    I just noticed this forum on PCOS, I have extensive facial hair to chin and jawline and have used everything imaginable over the years. I have fair hair and pale skin and always believed that laser treatment was not option for me. After extensive research as I am tired of the endless attempts to keep the area clear I have discovered that there is possible solution?  ELOS combines Bi-Polar RF and Diode Laser and is reported to be suitable for all skin and hair types. I started my first treatment last week under a doctor led clinic. It may not be 100% effective but any difference will greatly improve my quality of life. I will up date with any progress.  

    • j25x
      j25x fi03229

      Posted

      Hi,

      Good luck and I look forward to hearing your update. Hopefully we'll find a treatment to crack the code.

      J

      x

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.