Excessive hair growth is one of the most common symptoms of PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) that many women with this condition experience. Finding the right hair removal methods can therefore be extremely helpful when dealing with excess facial and body hair.
I explain in detail the root cause of this particular symptom in my other article ‘PCOS Hirsutism Explained & How to Reverse It’ where you can find more information about how to reduce the growth of unwanted hair.
In this article, however, I’ll break down for you the most popular hair removal methods and how to choose the best one for you. I’ll also share my personal experience with different hair removal techniques and products and give you some practical tips on how to get the best results.
Things to consider:
- Hormonal balance
- Duration
- Pain tolerance
- Cost
- Skin sensitivity
- Access
• Hormonal balance
While removing your hair is a great way to manage hirsutism and boost your confidence, it is important to acknowledge that it doesn’t address the root cause of this issue. If you truly want to get long-lasting results and prevent the growth of unwanted hair in the future, it is crucial to focus on restoring your hormonal balance first.
Read more: ’How To Treat PCOS Naturally (Science-Based Guidelines)’
That being said, the process of reversing PCOS and getting your hormone levels under control is not a quick fix. For this reason, reducing unwanted hair via topical hair removal treatments can still play an important role. And here is what to look for when choosing the best one for you.
• Duration
The first thing to consider when it comes to hair removals is their actual duration of lasting results. This period can largely differ between each hair removal method ranging from days to years. That’s because they all use different removing techniques that target different parts of the hair.
Most temporary methods with short-term results focus only on removing the visible part of the hair while the long-lasting methods focus on targeting the hair follicle. This aspect also determines how often you may need to repeat the treatment and therefore how convenient it is.
• Pain tolerance
Another important factor that may affect your hair removal choice is how painful the treatment actually is. While some methods can be completely pain-free, others can be fairly difficult to get through. You should also keep in mind that we all have different pain tolerance thresholds so the perceived pain is very subjective.
Nonetheless, it is something you want to take into consideration especially if you opt for a hair removal method requiring regular treatments. Certain body parts are also naturally more painful than others.
• Cost
The cost of different hair removal treatments can vary drastically and it usually correlates with the duration of lasting results. Unsurprisingly, the longer the period (and less maintenance required) the higher the price.
Single hair removal treatment sessions can cost anywhere between $100-800 which can easily add up to thousands since multiple sessions are typically required. However, when it comes to removing hair, certain treatments may in fact be worth the investment considering their long-lasting results and the level of convenience.
• Skin sensitivity
One of the most important things when it comes to choosing the best hair removal method for PCOS is how it may affect your skin. That’s because problematic skin is another common feature of this condition and certain hair removal techniques can be very irritating.
This is particularly important if you’re targeting facial hair but you also suffer from hormonal acne. Keep in mind that certain methods may require the use of aggressive chemicals while others may contribute to ingrown hairs and scarring. Therefore, you want to be cautious about choosing the most suitable treatments for different body parts.
Read more: ‘PCOS Acne Explained & How To Treat It Naturally‘
• Access
Since some hair removal treatments can be only performed in professional beauty salons they may not all be easily accessible from your local area. Depending on your personal circumstances, you might prefer hair removal methods that can be performed from home.
The good news is that due to fast-developing technology, there are now even some high-quality hair removal products that can be easily used at home. I’ll share with you some of my favorites later in this post.
Hair removals for PCOS comparison:
| Treatment | Duration | Maintenance | Pain level | Cost | Access | For PCOS? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrolysis | pernament | none | high | high | salon | ✓ |
| Laser | long | yearly | medium | high | salon/home | ✓ |
| Waxing | medium | monthly | high | medium | salon/home | ✕ |
| Epilator | medium | monthly | high | low | home | ✓ |
| Shaving | short | daily/weekly | low | low | home | ✕ |
| Cream | short | daily/weekly | low | low | home | ✕ |
1. Electrolysis
Bets for: permanent results – small areas
Electrolysis is a hair removal method during which the hair follicle gets permanently destroyed by receiving an electric current via a fine needle. It is the only hair removal method that is considered permanent (approved by the FDA).
+ Pros
Since electrolysis is the only method that can remove your hair permanently, it is one of the best options for women with PCOS that are looking for long-term results. Once all of the treatments are completed (usually during 1 year) you won’t need to spend any more money, time and effort on regular hair removal maintenance.
It is extremely convenient and since this method destroys the whole hair follicle, you won’t have to deal with ingrown hairs, bumpy skin and other common issues associated with typical hair removal techniques.
– Cons
The biggest disadvantage of electrolysis is that it’s one of the most painful hair removal methods as it’s based on inserting a fine needle into each hair follicle. This can be particularly unpleasant in sensitive body areas with a lot of nerve endings. However, keep in mind that we all have different pain tolerance and that this may not be true for all individuals.
Nonetheless, to remove your hair permanently, you’re likely to require at least 8-12 sessions spread across a longer period. Considering that one session typically costs hundreds of dollars (depending on the area), you might pay a couple of thousands for the complete electrolysis treatment. It’s also more suitable for only small areas.
Additionally, the access to electrolysis treatment can be very limited in certain locations as it can only be performed by a qualified aesthetician in a professional setting. Check your local area to see what’s available to you.
| Treatment | Duration | Maintenance | Pain level | Cost | Access | For PCOS? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrolysis | pernament | none | high | high | salon | ✓ |
2. Laser treatment
Best for: long-term results – fair skin /dark hairs
Laser treatment is another type of hair removal that destroys the whole hair follicle by laser-generated heat. While this method is not considered completely permanent, it can significantly reduce the overall hair growth and offer some long-term results.
+ Pros
In comparison to electrolysis, laser treatments are much less painful, shorter and more accessible. The great thing about this method is that you don’t need to let your hair grow out first (such as in case of electrolysis) and therefore fewer treatments are required (around 2-6 sessions).
Even though laser treatment may not remove your hair permanently, the results typically last up to several months or years. In addition, when your hair grows back it tends to be much thinner and lighter in color. Your hair is also likely to grow back in smaller quantities so it doesn’t require as much maintenance.
For women with PCOS, laser treatment is one of the best long-term solutions as it’s suitable for most body parts. IPL (intense pulse light) treatment is based on the same principle and there are now even some home devices using this technology.
I have the best experience with Braun Silk Expert Pro 5 which is a small home device using the IPL technology. You can check it out on Amazon here.
– Cons
As I already mentioned, laser treatment doesn’t guarantee permanent hair removal so repeated maintenance sessions are usually required. This may lead to relatively high expenses since one laser treatment session typically costs around $300-1000.
However, you can also invest into a home laser/IPL hair removal device to significantly lower the cost. While the price of those devices can also range anywhere between hundreds to thousands, it is a one-off payment and you can continue maintaining your hair from home.
You should also be aware that those hair removal methods may not be suitable for everyone. That’s because laser and IPL technologies require sufficient contrast between the hair and skin color pigments to be effective. For this reason, they are mainly recommended for individuals with fair skin and dark hairs.
| Treatment | Duration | Maintenance | Pain level | Cost | Access | For PCOS? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laser | long | yearly | medium | high | salon/home | ✓ |
3. Waxing
Best for: medium-term results – legs
Waxing is a popular hair removal method that is based on plucking the whole hair from its follicle with the use of wax or sugar. It can be performed in professional beauty salons as well as at home.
+ Pros
While waxing is not a long-term solution to remove your body hair, it still offers longer results than some other types of hair removals (such as shaving or creams). That’s because once the hair is plucked with the root it takes much longer to grow back (around a month).
For this reason, waxing treatments need to be repeated only on a monthly basis rather than every week or day. Another advantage of this method is that the final results are stubble-free so your skin is likely to be smooth on touch.
– Cons
Unfortunately, waxing is another of the more painful hair removal methods and since it requires monthly maintenance, it may not be ideal for sensitive body parts and for women with low pain tolerance.
Waxing can also be quite irritating so if you suffer from very sensitive skin, it may not be the best option for you. I’d also avoid using a wax treatment for your face if you suffer from PCOS as it can contribute to acne and rashes in this area (I have a really bad experience with this).
This hair removal method can also be relatively expensive, especially if you opt for getting your wax treatments done in professional beauty salons. Single sessions can cost up to a few hundreds of dollars (depending on the area) and a home wax kit can range anywhere between $25-100. Bear in mind that waxing needs to be repeated monthly.
| Treatment | Duration | Maintenance | Pain level | Cost | Access | For PCOS? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waxing | medium | monthly | high | medium | salon/home | ✕ |
4. Epilator
Best for: medium-term results – low cost
Epilation is a broad term used to describe removing body hair from below the skin surface. There are several hair removal methods using this technique (including waxing and tweezing) but electric epilators are amongst the most popular ones. Such devices contain tiny rotating tweezers that are able to easily pull hairs from their roots in the desired area.
+ Pros
In terms of the final results, lasting effects and maintenance requirements, epilators are very similar to waxing as they both use the same hair removal technique. However, in contrast to waxing, electric epilators don’t require the use of hot wax (or any other substance) that may irritate your skin.
For this reason, epilators appear to be way more suitable for women with PCOS than traditional waxing. Additionally, using epilators to remove body hair is significantly cheaper as you’re only required to purchase the device once and there is no additional cost to this hair removal method. Even the highest-quality epilators are still very affordable.
If you’re looking for a good-quality epilator I highly recommend Braun products as they’re one of the best brands when it comes to hair removals. You can check out my favorite Braun Epilator Silk Epil 9 (also suitable for facial hair) on Amazon here.
– Cons
One of the downsides of this method is that it can be relatively painful (similarly to waxing), especially in certain sensitive areas. However, it becomes more tolerable with time and based on your individual tolerance it may not be painful at all (I find it much better than waxing).
Electric epilators are also generally more suitable for larger body parts so using them for small areas (such as the face) can be quite difficult. Nonetheless, there are now even some smaller epilator devices specifically designed for removing facial hair for women.
| Treatment | Duration | Maintenance | Pain level | Cost | Access | For PCOS? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epilator | medium | monthly | high | low | home | ✓ |
5. Shaving
Best for: short-term results – low pain level
Shaving is by far the most commonly used type of hair removal amongst women. This method requires the use of a razor that cuts the visible parts of hair at the skin surfaces. There are many different razor options to choose from for home use.
+ Pros
One of the reasons why shaving is such a popular hair removal option is because it’s completely painless (in contrast to most methods) and widely accessible. The actual process of shaving is also very quick and doesn’t require a lot of effort.
In addition, razors can easily reach most body areas which makes them particularly appealing for women with PCOS and hirsutism.
– Cons
Unfortunately, shaving is actually one of the worst hair removal methods for a number of reasons. Firstly, it is only a short-term solution that requires abnormal maintenance sometimes even on a daily basis. Furthermore, shaving will never result in completely smooth and stubble-free skin as it doesn’t remove the whole hair from its follicle.
Since it needs to be repeated very frequently, it can be particularly irritating to your skin and cause ingrown hairs, scarring and discoloration. When used for removing facial hair, it can be a massive driver of acne and skin-related inflammation. I highly recommend using different hair removal methods for this particular area.
Even though the cost of the actual razors and other shaving products is relatively low, it can easily add up considering the abnormal frequency you might need to repeat this treatment. The same goes for the time and effort spent on shaving over the long term. In fact, shaving is probably one of the least convenient hair removal methods overall.
| Treatment | Duration | Maintenance | Pain level | Cost | Access | For PCOS? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shaving | short | daily/weekly | low | low | home | ✕ |
6. Depilatory cream
Best for: short-term results – low pain level
Depilatory creams are another temporary hair removal method that is based on using chemicals to dissolve the hair (by breaking down keratin) and remove it from the skin’s surface.
+ Pros
Similarly to shaving, using depilatory creams is also a completely painless hair removal method (when used correctly) that can reach almost all body areas. In contrast to shaving, however, depilatory creams are less likely to cause stubble, cuts and scarring.
Since depilatory creams are primarily designed for home-based treatments, it is another popular hair removal method amongst women. The whole process is extremely easy as it requires you to spread the cream on the desired areas, leave it on for a short period of time and wipe it off.
– Cons
Even though depilatory creams may seem like a convenient method to remove excess hair, it is actually one of the worst techniques for women with PCOS. That’s because your hair will grow back very quickly (it doesn’t remove the hair’s roots) so you’ll need to repeat the treatment frequently.
Considering the fact that depilatory creams consist of strong chemicals that can cause severe skin irritation, allergic reactions and burns, it can be particularly aggressive for someone with sensitive or damaged skin (such as women with PCOS).
You should also bear in mind that your skin absorbs about 60% of what you put on it (it is your largest organ) so choosing the right skincare products with the lowest content of harmful chemicals is extremely important. For this reason, I highly suggest avoiding this hair removal technique and choosing a different option instead.
| Treatment | Duration | Maintenance | Pain level | Cost | Access | For PCOS? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cream | short | daily/weekly | low | low | home | ✕ |
What is the best hair removal for PCOS?
In general, electrolysis and laser treatment appear to be the best hair removal methods for PCOS due to their long-lasting effects, minimal maintenance and stubble-free results. However, both methods are relatively expensive and may not be suitable for all types of hair and every body area.
Does hair removal work for PCOS?
Most hair removal methods work for PCOS in the same way as for women without this condition. However, due to abnormal hair growth caused by hormonal fluctuations, women with PCOS may require higher amounts of the total treatment sessions to achieve the same results.
Can I shave my face if I have PCOS?
Women with PCOS are generally not recommended to shave their faces due to the increased risks of skin irritation, ingrown hairs and acne development. Other hair removal methods such as laser treatment, IPL, electrolysis or tweezing appear to be more suitable options for removing facial hair.
Pro tips:
- Prioritize skincare – make sure you keep your skin clean, healthy and hydrated at all times but especially after your hair removal treatments, don’t use any skincare or makeup products that might irritate your skin (I personally like to use pure Aloe Vera gel)
- Warm your skin – if you want to minimize the pain from plucking and tweezing, make sure you warm your skin first (by hot shower, wet washcloth, steaming) to open up your pores and relax hair follicles
- Be gentle – regardless of the method you decide to use to remove hair, always be gentle to your skin (especially in sensitive areas) to get the best results and prevent any negative side effects (razors and depilatory creams can be particularly dangerous)
- Choose a qualified aesthetician – don’t forget to do your research to find a high-quality aesthetician in your area as certain hair removal treatments require professional qualifications and relevant training (don’t be scared to ask a lot of questions)
- Keep it clean– make sure your hair removal devices and tools (epilators, tweezers, razors) remain clean and that you sanitize them before every use to prevent infection and the spread of bacteria
- Follow the instructions – always follow the instruction of your aesthetician given for your hair removal treatment to increase its effectiveness and prevent any skin damage (pay attention to sun exposure, skincare products, shaving, diet, supplements)
Resources:
- Kang, C. N., Shah, M., Lynde, C., & Fleming, P. (2021). Hair Removal Practices: A Literature Review. Skin therapy letter, 26(5), 6–11. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34524781/
- Lee C. M. (2018). Laser-assisted hair removal for facial hirsutism in women: A review of evidence. Journal of cosmetic and laser therapy : official publication of the European Society for Laser Dermatology, 20(3), 140–144. https://doi.org/10.1080/14764172.2017.1376099
- Lizneva, D., Gavrilova-Jordan, L., Walker, W., & Azziz, R. (2016). Androgen excess: Investigations and management. Best practice & research. Clinical obstetrics & gynaecology, 37, 98–118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2016.05.003
- Ramezani Tehrani, F., Behboudi-Gandevani, S., Bidhendi Yarandi, R., Saei Ghare Naz, M., & Carmina, E. (2021). Prevalence of acne vulgaris among women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systemic review and meta-analysis. Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology, 37(5), 392–405. https://doi.org/10.1080/09513590.2020.1859474
- Spritzer, P. M., Barone, C. R., & Oliveira, F. B. (2016). Hirsutism in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Pathophysiology and Management. Current pharmaceutical design, 22(36), 5603–5613. https://doi.org/10.2174/1381612822666160720151243