Understanding PCOS

What is PCOS:

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder common among many women. Women with PCOS may have infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods or excess male hormone (androgen) levels. The ovaries may develop numerous small collections of fluid (follicles) and fail to regularly release eggs.

Symptoms:

Signs and symptoms of PCOS vary. A diagnosis of PCOS is made when you experience at least two of these signs:

Irregular periods. Infrequent, irregular or prolonged menstrual cycles are the most common sign of PCOS. For example, you might have fewer than nine periods a year, more than 35 days between periods and abnormally heavy periods.
Excess androgen. Elevated levels of male hormones may result in physical signs, such as excess facial and body hair (hirsutism), and occasionally severe acne and fe/male-pattern baldness.
Polycystic ovaries. Your ovaries might be enlarged and contain follicles that surround the eggs. As a result, the ovaries might fail to function regularly.

*PCOS & excessive hair growth*

Hirsutism:

Excessive hair growth on unexpected areas of the body, such as on the face, chest, and back. Hirsutism can result from excess male hormones, called androgens. This may occur with certain medical conditions. It may also be inherited.

Excessive facial and body hair (hirsutism) is one of the more distressing and visible symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), impacting 70% to 80% of women with PCOS. This abnormal condition is triggered by the overproduction of androgens, a class of hormones responsible for male characteristics

Women with hirsutism will often experience the excess growth of hair on the face, neck, chest, back, and toes. To add insult to injury, the excessive androgen levels can have the opposite effect on the scalp, leading to female pattern hair loss (androgenic alopecia).

Hair removal solutions:

Shaving

Shaving is the most obvious choice to remove hair, especially of the face. It cuts the hair right at the skin's surface, and is a quick solution.

However shaving usually needs to be done on a daily basis to maintain a hair-free appearance.

The problem with daily shaving is that it can lead to the development of ingrown hairs, folliculitus, razor bumps, irritation/inflammation and sometimes acne.

Waxing

Waxing is a longer term solution compared to shaving as it is done every few weeks, but it is painful and can become expensive.

Waxing can also cause unnecessary trauma to the skin and follicles causing irregular hair re-growth leading to ingrown hairs.

*Laser Hair Reduction*

LHR is best and most cost-effective method in treating excessive hair growth due to its results in thinning out and reducing the hair without causing harmful trauma to surrounding areas. Our PCOS treatment also even out skin tone and help with texture of the skin.

Great for treating other skin disorders such as ingrown hairs, folliculitus, PFB, hyperpigmentation and even scarring.

LHR isn’t 100% permanent, touch up sessions may be needed over time. It reduces your hair growth by 80-90%, which is still the most effective hair removal method available.

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