Hormones and Permanent Hair Removal
by Brandi Concolino
One of the most common questions I am asked during consultations is, “Is hair removal permanent?” Unfortunately, there isn’t a cut and dry answer as there are many factors involved, but the single biggest factor influencing hair removal success? Hormones.
Remember when our moms told us: “Don’t shave because more hair will grow back, and it will be thicker.” Well, that’s a fallacy; your hair was going to grow regardless of whether you shaved or not. Shaving does not affect what happens at the root of the hair. It just makes it more blunt, which makes it, therefore, feel more stubbly. Hair growth is actually more influenced by hormones than anything else.
Hormones and Hair Growth
During puberty, our hormones were out of whack because so many changes were happening in our bodies; and hair growth was just one of the most obvious ones. Many women grow hair on their faces and abdomens with pregnancy even if they didn’t previously have hair in those locations. And the dreaded word of Menopause brings on hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and hair growth on the face that was likely never a problem in the past. The last thing any woman wants on her face is hair.
Because hormones play such a strong role in hair growth, I always advise my clients to speak to their physicians and do a hormone check before beginning hair removal treatments. Although we can begin treatments at any time, if your hormones are out of whack, then it’s like shoveling the sidewalk in the middle of a snowstorm. In other words, the root cause of hair growth needs to be addressed to get the best possible result. This is true for women and transgender women alike.
I’ve done hair removal treatments on clients with PCOS and thyroid imbalances, and although they had good results, they weren’t optimal results because the issue that was causing the unwanted growth was not taken care of first. Transgender women who begin HRT see their treatment success rates increase tenfold. The testosterone that is causing the unwanted hair is blocked. As a result, they are able to achieve their desired results of being hair-free.
Hormonal Balance Drives Hair Removal Success
Once hormonal imbalances are corrected, clients have much better results with hair removal, whether they choose electrolysis or laser (or both!).
About 2 years ago, I had a client who came to me with PCOS and had grown a beard. Once she got her hormones in check, she began her laser treatments. After about 6 months, she had very little hair left. What was left was light-colored, fine, and thin, so we used electrolysis to complete the clearing of the area. Now, she is hair-free and feels better than ever. She was not only balanced on the inside, but her appearance now reflects that as well. There’s nothing better than seeing people looking and feeling their best!
If you are struggling with unwanted hair on your face or body, contact the 26Health Medi Spa for a consultation. Together we can work towards getting you hair-free!