PCOS, Hirsutism and Unwanted Facial hair
Causes and Treatments for Hirsutism with PCOS
What is Hirsutism?
Hirsutism is the excessive growth of facial or body hair on women. Hirsutism and unwanted Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) facial hair are very common with polycystic ovary syndrome. Hirsutism can be seen as coarse, dark hair that may appear on the face, chest, abdomen, back, upper arms, or upper legs. Hirsutism is a symptom of medical disorders associated with the hormones called androgens.
Hirsutism is very common and often improves with medical management. Prompt medical attention is important because delaying treatment makes the treatment more difficult and may have long-term health consequences.
Electrolysis and PCOS
Electrolysis is the only type of hair removal approved by the FDA as a permanent way of removing hair. For the thousands of women with PCOS electrolysis is a great option to permanently get rid of thick hair that often grows on their face, chest, and back.
Excess facial and body hair growth, as a side effect from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome can be extremely distressing. Pearl has worked with ladies who have never had the confidence to go to work due to this problem causing severe depression, after the first treatment, the confidence starts to return and upon completion of treatment, they become so confident that life changes dramatically for them.
Excess facial and body hair growth can be caused by many different factors, both for men and women. Women usually find that unwanted hair growth on the face starts with some kind of hormone upset or imbalance, unless it is caused by hereditary or ethnic origin.
The first hormone upset that can cause this imbalance is when a female starts her menstrual cycle. If the menstrual cycle is interrupted or stops at any time (other than pregnancy) then a visit to her doctor is advised as this should be noted on the patient's medical records.
That can then be referred to in the future years, especially if Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is later diagnosed. The next time a hormone upset or imbalance can cause excessive facial hair is during pregnancy or even up to a few years after the birth, as it takes some time for the hormones to settle back to normal. Years ago some contraceptive pills caused excess or unwanted facial hair growth, particularly excess hair growth on the upper lip (moustache area).
Sometimes certain brands of contraceptive pills are prescribed not only to balance out hormone upsets and maintain regular menstrual cycles, but also to help reduce the problem of unwanted facial hair. If this course of action is taken it is better NOT to have electrolysis, laser or IPL for permanent hair removal, as it can be difficult to tell which treatment is working best. If, however you choose to use the contraceptive pill and the excess hair growth reduces or clears, the problem can return once you stop using this course of action.
Other contributing factors of unwanted facial or body hair appearing during any time of adult life are: shock, excessive stress in your life, a side effect from certain medications and some cancer treatments.
The Menopause
One of the biggest factors in unwanted or excess facial hair growth, in particular, starting on the upper lip, (moustache area) increasing all the way across the upper lip and chin, extending on to the neck and an increase of sideburn facial hair in women is the onset of menopause.
It is just a fact of life that over 80% of women over the age of 40 and hitting menopause will have an increase of facial hair growth. This is absolutely normal. It is just that we do not now have to live with this problem, as all hairs including white hairs and finer hairs can be permanently removed with electrolysis.
Electrolysis for permanent hair removal has been used for over 100 years and is a totally safe and successful method of permanent hair removal when it is done correctly and thoroughly. Electrolysis is not a "quick fix" as it takes several treatments, usually over a period of a couple of years, depending on the extent of the problem.
Your Consultation
At your consultation appointment we will discuss the electro epilation process, how the different types of modalities work for hair removal, assess your medical history also, include a skin analysis and test patch. We will evaluate any contraindications and create a treatment plan that is appropriate for you at this time.
Following your patch test, It is rare to have any adverse effects from treatment and any redness usually dissipates within 2 to 3 days. After which we can schedule your treatment.
What is electro epilation?
The tissues that promote hair development are gradually eliminated throughout this procedure. We must recognise these tissues and take into account the stages of hair growth in order to have a better understanding. In order to prevent harm to the skin's surface, we must also consider our skin and its importance of ensuring that treatment is administered to correctly.
The skin is made up of three main layers and numerous sublayers, including glands, interstitial fluid, blood vessels, sensory corpuscles, immune system cells, adipose cells (used in stem cell hair renewal), and small capillaries. The complexity of these elements, further emphasises the importance of choosing a practise with electrologists who are thoroughly conversant with the structure of our skin and the influences that this and other bodily systems have on hair growth.