Facial hair caused by PCOS is one of the most emotionally draining symptoms of a condition that already impacts everything from your hormones to your skin. Yet in the medical aesthetics space, it remains under-discussed.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects up to 13 percent of women of reproductive age worldwide (Escobar-Morreale, 2018). Hirsutism, or excess male-pattern hair growth, is a common symptom. For many, it appears on the chin, jawline, upper lip, and neck. It can begin as early as the teenage years. It isn’t just frustrating, it is exhausting both mentally and physically.
Laser hair removal (LHR) offers a powerful and medically supported solution for managing this symptom long-term. And yes, it works, even if you have PCOS.
Table of Contents:
How to Get Rid of Facial Hair with PCOS: What Works and What Doesn’t
What Makes Laser Hair Removal for PCOS Different
What to Expect from Treatment: Sessions, Safety, and Maintenance
- Consultation and Customization
- The Right Technology for Your Skin
- Number of Sessions
- Maintenance Matters
A Real Victoria Park Patient Story
Does Laser Hair Removal Work If You Have PCOS?
Facial Hair and PCOS
Women with PCOS often experience elevated levels of androgens, hormones that stimulate hair growth in male-pattern areas. This can include the chin, jawline, neck, sideburns, and even the chest or abdomen. The condition, called hirsutism, affects as many as 70 percent of women with PCOS (Escobar-Morreale, 2018). But despite how common it is, many women are left to feel embarrassed, alone, or dismissed.
It’s not just the hair, it’s the emotional toll. Constant plucking, shaving, and makeup layering. Dodging bright light, mirrors, or even intimacy. For many of our patients, facial hair becomes a daily reminder that something inside their body feels out of their control.
We don’t think that’s acceptable, and we’re proud to be part of the solution.
How to Get Rid of Facial Hair with PCOS: What Works and What Doesn’t
Women with PCOS often try every method available. Waxing, which causes irritation and ingrowns. Shaving, which leaves razor bumps and a 5 o’clock shadow. Threading, which is painful and short-lived. Depilatory creams, which can burn sensitive skin. These are all temporary solutions for a very persistent problem.
Laser hair removal, on the other hand, offers long-term reduction by targeting the root of the hair. Literally. It uses light energy to damage the follicle, which delays or stops regrowth over time. Laser treatment is one of the most effective ways to reduce facial hair caused by PCOS when performed by trained medical professionals using the appropriate technology (Martin et al., 2018).
What Makes Laser Hair Removal for PCOS Different
Not all facial hair is the same. Hormonal hair caused by PCOS tends to be thicker, darker, and more deeply rooted (Escobar-Morreale, 2018). It also tends to respond in cycles, flaring up or calming down depending on stress, lifestyle, medication, or stage of life. This means PCOS-related facial hair needs a more strategic and personalized approach.
When we treat PCOS facial hair, we consider the whole picture. Your hormone history, your skin type, your expectations, your goals. It all matters. And that’s how we deliver results that last.
What to Expect from Treatment: Sessions, Safety, and Maintenance
1. Consultation and Customization
We begin with a full consultation to assess your hair and skin type, your medical history, and your hormonal status. We’ll talk about medications you may be on, such as birth control or spironolactone, and how they may affect your results.
2. The Right Technology for Your Skin
We use multiple types of medical-grade lasers, including Nd:YAG for deeper skin tones and Alexandrite for lighter tones. Your safety comes first, always. Our team is trained to treat all skin types safely and effectively, with a focus on comfort and care.
3. Number of Sessions
Most patients with PCOS need 6 to 8 sessions spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart. This allows us to target the hair at different stages of the growth cycle. Some patients may need more sessions depending on how their hormones are behaving (Martin et al., 2018).
4. Maintenance Matters
Laser hair removal for PCOS is highly effective, but hormonal hair has a tendency to resurface over time. Maintenance sessions every 6 to 12 months are common (Martin et al., 2018). These are usually shorter and simpler, meant to maintain results, not start from scratch.
Are the Results Permanent?
Yes, and no. Laser hair removal can permanently reduce the amount and thickness of facial hair, but PCOS is a chronic condition that can continue to trigger new hair growth (Escobar-Morreale, 2018). What this means is that most patients enjoy long stretches of smooth, clear skin, with occasional touch-ups to keep things in check.
If your hormones are stable, your results may last for years. If your PCOS is still active or unmanaged, you may notice some regrowth, but it’s typically finer and slower than before. Either way, this is a massive improvement over daily shaving or weekly waxing.
A Real Victoria Park Patient Story
One of our patients, a 25-year-old woman diagnosed with PCOS, came to us feeling frustrated and hopeless. Despite shaving her face every morning, she still had a visible 5 o’clock shadow.
Results
before /after
- Before treatment
- After treatment
Results after 5 laser hair removal sessions at Victoria Park Medispa.
Photos courtesy of Victoria Park Medispa.Warning: These photos are published for reference only to provide information on the nature of the treatment. They do not constitute a guarantee of results.
After five sessions of laser hair removal at Victoria Park Medispa, everything changed. Her skin was visibly smoother. The coarse hair along her chin and jawline was gone. Her confidence returned. The difference in her before and after photos is striking, but the real transformation happened on the inside.
She no longer feels the need to hide. She no longer starts her day with a razor. This is what we mean by life-changing results.
Does Laser Hair Removal Work If You Have PCOS?
Yes, laser hair removal does work if you have PCOS. In fact, it can be one of the most empowering and effective tools in managing hormonal hair growth. But the key is understanding how to use it properly.
Here’s what you need to know:
- You’ll need a full treatment series, not just one or two sessions
- Hormonal hair is more stubborn, so results may take longer to appear
- Maintenance is part of the process, not a failure of it
- Pairing laser hair removal with medical management of PCOS can improve long-term outcomes (Martin et al., 2018; Escobar-Morreale, 2018)
At Victoria Park, we’re honest about what works. We don’t promise miracles, but we do promise medically backed care, tailored treatment plans, and a team that listens to your experience and treats you with respect.
Risks to Know About
Laser hair removal is safe when performed by experienced professionals using the right technology. But as with any treatment, there are considerations:
- If you’re taking medications that increase photosensitivity, such as antibiotics or retinoids, we may need to adjust your schedule
- Hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation can occur if the laser is too aggressive or used on the wrong skin type, which is why matching laser type to your Fitzpatrick skin level is crucial
- Hormonal fluctuations may cause some hairs to persist, requiring additional maintenance (Haak et al., 2010)
We take every precaution to ensure your safety and satisfaction. Your skin deserves that level of care.
Why Victoria Park Medispa Is Leading the Conversation
The truth is, there aren’t enough voices in the aesthetics industry talking about PCOS facial hair. We see it all the time, yet it’s treated like a taboo or downplayed as a vanity issue. It’s not. It’s a real, daily, exhausting struggle that affects mental health, relationships, and confidence.
Victoria Park is proud to lead this conversation. We believe women deserve more than temporary fixes. You deserve evidence-based treatments, honest answers, and providers who understand the deeper layers of what you’re going through.
This is not about flaw correction, this is about freedom. Freedom from the razor, the shame, the feeling of always covering up. That’s what we deliver. And that’s what makes us different.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been struggling in silence, if you’ve been asking yourself how to get rid of facial hair with PCOS, you’re not alone. There is a path forward, and it doesn’t have to involve constant maintenance or emotional distress.
Laser hair removal offers a real, lasting solution. It’s safe, it’s effective, and when done right, it can change everything.
We’re here to support you with compassion, clinical integrity, and a treatment plan built just for you.
Book a Consultation
Your skin, your story, your confidence, let’s take care of all three. Schedule a consultation at any Victoria Park Medispa across Quebec, Ontario, or Manitoba.
Book a consultation today and start your journey with Canada’s #1 Medispa.
It’s time to feel good in your skin again and own your extraordinary.
Recent
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References
- Escobar-Morreale, H. F. (2018). Polycystic ovary syndrome: Definition, aetiology, diagnosis and treatment. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 14(5), 270–284. https://www.nature.com/articles/nrendo.2018.24
- Haak, C. S., Nymann, P., Pedersen, A. T., Clausen, H. V., Feldt-Rasmussen, U., Rasmussen, Å. K., Main, K., & Haedersdal, M. (2010). Hair removal in hirsute women with normal testosterone levels: A randomized controlled trial of long‐pulsed diode laser vs. intense pulsed light. British Journal of Dermatology, 163(5), 1007–1013. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20731651/
- Martin, K. A., Anderson, R. R., Chang, R. J., Ehrmann, D. A., Lobo, R. A., Murad, M. H., & Apovian, C. M. (2018). Evaluation and treatment of hirsutism in premenopausal women: An Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 103(4), 1233–1257. https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/103/4/1233/4924418
