PCOS & Laser Hair Removal
One of the PCOS boards I frequent had a thread about laser hair removal. As I’ve said before, hair in the ‘wrong’ places or even hairloss is a contant battle for women dealing with PCOS. This is largely a result of the imbalance of female/male hormones associated with the disorder. For women with PCOS, hyperthyroid, and other imbalances, hair removal has become a way of life. Plucking, waxing, razors, choose your favorite method.
So you know, I plan to cover more about this in my upcoming book. The truth is, for as much as I appreciate the benefits of laser, it is not always the best choice, in particular if a person is unable or unwilling to commit to the lifestyle changes needed to get your hormones in check. I often deal with this with women I work with. Its hard, especially if you don’t know the steps to manage PCOS. But, when a qualified laser technician is matched with a client who is willing and able to do what it takes, (including the ‘pain’ of the laser) this process can be extremly sucessful. Here was my post on this subject.
I say laser is the best any day of the week!
This is one of the parts of the disorder that can really beat someone up. As a natural health educator, I often refer to PCOS as a silent epidemic, but not because people don’t know that they are suffering from it. More clearly, I say it’s silent because people are hesitant to discuss many of the symptoms. Hair in the wrong places, and hair loss are two of those symptoms. It can make us feel less than feminine, so we often hide in silence.
Personally, I have been lucky in that my sister and mother have both dealt with PCOS and this problem in particular as well as me, so I had someone to confide in. I have learned that although it might be embarrassing, it is so much better when you can share your sucess story and touch someone else, hopefully helping them to see that it IS possible to deal with.
I have been having laser on my upper lip and a few other spots for a year now, spaced out over 10 week periods. I am thrilled with the results. The hairs were rather course due to years of waxing, and they tell me that is one of the reasons why I am having sucess, because the coarse darker hairs give something to the laser to hit.
It was hard, as I am a sun lover, and for the last year I have had to keep out of the sun, so that my skin was light enough to use the more powerful Gentlelase machine.
Honestly, it has been worth every penny. After years of dealing with this, I am thrilled that I have found this process. I have a two year program prepaid, and the technician I work with is convinced that we will have extreme sucess and by the end of the second year I’ll likely not have to do touch ups as some women with PCOS do. Part of this is, like I said, keeping my weight down, and also my hormones in balance.
Laser isn’t for everyone, and you have to have your hormones in check, otherwise the folicules will continue to produce more hairs even afterwards, and that can defeat the process. I have used cleansing and detoxification, raw foods, nutritional supplements, exercise and Chinese medicine to target the disorder.
Like I said, it has been very liberating to admit that the problem existed as a side affect of a disorder. My husband is very understanding, and that helps too.
I encourage you to look into laser if it is within your budget. It took me till I was 35 to have the extra income to make it a reality. It was one of the best choices I every made.
Sucess,
Cassy
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