Living with PCOS and dealing with excess hair growth? Laser hair removal can significantly reduce it long-term — here's what to realistically expect, and what questions to ask before you book.
Living with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) brings a lot with it — and for many women, excess hair growth is one of the most visible and exhausting parts of it.
Shaving every other day. Threading that grows back within a week. Waxing that hurts and still doesn't last. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone — and there is a longer-term option worth understanding.
PCOS is a hormonal condition that causes elevated levels of androgens — hormones like testosterone — which are present in all women, but at higher levels in those with PCOS.
These elevated androgens are responsible for a range of symptoms, including irregular periods, acne — and hirsutism, the medical term for excess body and facial hair. The hair that develops is often darker, coarser, and grows in areas like the chin, upper lip, stomach, and chest.
This is a hormonal problem, not a hygiene or grooming problem. And it's worth naming that, because the impact on confidence and daily life is real.
Yes — with realistic expectations.
Laser hair removal targets hair follicles using concentrated light energy. It impairs the follicle's ability to produce hair over time, reducing regrowth with each session.
For most clients, this means significantly less hair growth after a course of treatments. Many clients find they no longer need to shave the treated areas on a daily or even weekly basis.
Important: Results vary depending on hair type, skin tone, treatment area, and hormonal factors. Because PCOS involves ongoing hormonal activity, new hair follicles can be stimulated over time — laser reduces existing growth effectively, but some maintenance may be needed.
Not all laser systems are the same — and for clients managing PCOS, the combination of diverse hair types and varying skin tones makes choosing the right clinic important.
At myskiin, we use the Soprano laser system. It's designed to work effectively across a wide range of skin types, including darker and more melanin-rich skin — which matters for a large portion of our West Midlands client base.
We also carry out a full skin assessment and patch test before any treatment begins. This isn't just a formality — it's how we make sure the approach is right for your specific hair type, growth pattern, and skin.
More than clients without PCOS, typically. Because hormonal hair growth is often more active and covers more areas, most PCOS clients work through a longer course of treatments and may benefit from occasional maintenance sessions.
A realistic estimate for most areas is 6–8 sessions as a starting course. Some areas respond more quickly; some hair types take more. We don't give fixed numbers before we've assessed your skin — a generic answer won't serve you well.
PCOS-related hair growth is one of the most common reasons clients come to us. We understand that your situation is different from someone booking a single-area treatment for general grooming — and we approach it that way.
Your first step is a free consultation. We'll look at the areas you want to treat, assess your skin and hair type, and give you an honest picture of what's realistic — including how many sessions, what results you might expect, and how hormonal factors might affect your outcome.
19 Lichfield Street, Walsall, WS1 1UG · Open every day, 10am–7pm · 01922 929850
