Is Electrolysis Safe for Women with PCOS?

Published June 3, 2022

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome — also known as PCOS, a hormonal disorder — is one of those disorders with a number of side effects; know that you’re not alone, whether you’re dealing with breakouts, weight gain, or hair growth on your face, or chest, or belly. If excessive hair growth is not a PCOS reaction you are willing to accept, you actually have more control over this one. If you’re researching electrolysis for PCOS, there’s good news: this hair removal method will produce longer-lasting results over shaving or waxing.

Cause of Hair Growth

Together with the adrenal glands, the ovaries of women with PCOS often produce high levels of hormones known as androgens. These androgen hormones, which include testosterone, are among the components responsible for excessive facial and body hair; thus, women with PCOS are likely to experience excessive hair growth due to the increased production of these hormones. In fact, hirsutism affects more than seven out of ten women with PCOS.

If you have this symptom, it may appear as though you’re developing new hairs where nothing previously existed. However, this is not the case. In hair follicles, the enzyme 5-alpha reductase is more active in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. In addition, adrenal hormones change the hair growth cycle, causing vellus hairs to transition into terminal hairs. In other words, the fine, vellus hairs are changing into far more noticeable, thicker, and longer terminal hairs; this means that hair follicles on your body remain the same, but the hairs coming out of them become more coarse.

But there’s bad news: the transformation is irreversible. Typically, once a vellus hair has transformed into a terminal hair, it cannot change back.

However, the good news is that electrolysis is an excellent hair removal method for PCOS, as the treatment weakens or destroys the hair follicle itself.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Electrolysis Treatment

According to the FDA, electrolysis treatment is the only type of hair removal that may be considered permanent. During an electrolysis session, a qualified electrologist or dermatologist inserts a thin rod near the hair shaft. The rod then transmits an electric current through it and into the tissue surrounding the hair follicle, damaging both the follicle and the hair.

Electrolysis comes in two types: galvanic and thermolysis. Galvanic electrolysis destroys hair follicles through a chemical reaction, whereas thermolysis uses heat. Occasionally, a professional may combine the two technologies.

Since electrolysis is a permanent solution, you won’t have to worry about your hair growing back once you’ve finished your treatment. Electrolysis is also suitable for all skin and hair types.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Electrolysis Treatment: Pros

Because electrolysis targets each hair follicle and takes about twenty seconds to treat each one, it is time-consuming to treat even small areas. A series of sessions, each separated by at least a week, is most likely required to see the long-term benefits.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Electrolysis Treatment: Cons

Due to the lengthy electrolysis process, polycystic ovary syndrome electrolysis is a better use of your money and effort than, say, having your whole legs treated. In addition, although the degree of discomfort varies from person to person, many claim that it is comparable to plucking hairs using tweezers.