Ricardo Azziz, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., Professor Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, and Teresa Petricca, CPE, Executive Director, American Electrology Association, Birmingham, Alabama
Most Hirsuit Patients Have PCOS
Hirsutism is a symptom of underlying androgen excess, also known as hyperandrogenism. As a result, non-androgenic causes of hirsutism (i.e., those not caused by an excess of testosterone) are uncommon, accounting for less than 1% of affected people in our experience. Idiopathic hirsutism (IH) is a more common cause of hirsutism that is diagnosed by excluding a patient who is visibly hirsute but has normal circulating androgens and ovulatory function (2). It should be noted, however, that approximately 40% of hirsute women who claim to be routinely menstruating actually do not ovulate effectively (are oligo-anovulatory), and hence are likely to have PCOS rather than IH (3). In general, between 5% and 15% of hirsute women will be diagnosed with IH (2). However, many of these patients merely have degrees of hyperandrogenemia that are not detectable with normal clinical androgen testing, and this diagnosis may be more symptomatic of “inaccurate” hormonal assays. Nonetheless, the 5? -reductase activity in the skin and hair follicles is likely hyperactive in some of these women, resulting to hirsutism despite “normal” circulating androgen levels.
Androgenic causes of hirsutism are by far the most common, accounting for 75 percent to 85 percent of hirsutism cases. PCOS affects about 70-80 percent of hirsute women, the hyperandrogenic-insulin-resistant-acanthosis nigricans (HAIRAN) syndrome affects about 3%, 21-hydroxylase deficient non-classic adrenal hyperplasia (NCAH) affects 2-8 percent of patients, and ovarian or adrenal androgen-secreting neoplasms (ASN) affects only a small percentage of patients (4). PCOS, the most common diagnosis in the hirsute patient, is essentially an exclusionary diagnostic, meaning that it is identified in patients who have evidence of ovulatory dysfunction in the absence of biochemical or clinical indications of hyperandrogenism, and after other disorders have been ruled out (i.e. NCAH, HAIRAN syndrome, ASNs, thyroid and prolactin dysfunction).
Hormonal Treatment of Hirsutism in PCOS
Hirsutism is not only disfiguring on the outside, but it can also be a substantial hindrance to a young woman’s social life and emotional well-being, lowering her quality of life. As a result, treatment should begin as soon as the diagnosis is confirmed, in order to reduce the number of terminalized hair follicles. Furthermore, because hirsutism is often a symptom of a more serious underlying endocrine or metabolic disease, these patients should be evaluated as soon as feasible. Because the majority of hirsute people have PCOS, they are more likely to experience infertility, irregular monthly bleeding, endometrial cancer, type 2 diabetes, and probably cardiovascular disease.
Hormonal therapy for hirsutism consists of drugs that either reduce or block androgen production or free androgen levels. Combination oral contraceptives, long-acting GnRH analogs, ketoconazole, and insulin sensitizing medications can all be used to decrease ovarian androgens. However, surgery that temporarily suppresses ovarian androgens, such as laparoscopic ovarian drilling, has no effect on hair development. Furthermore, glucocorticoid-adrenal androgen suppression has a minor, if any, influence on hirsutism. Nonetheless, androgen suppression by itself has a minor effect on undesired hair growth.
The majority of women with clinically significant hirsutism will require the addition of androgen-blocking medicines. Spironolactone, flutamide, and cyproterone acetate are examples of androgen receptor blockers (which is also a progestin that suppresses ovarian androgen secretion). Finasteride, in turn, inhibits 5 -reductase and the peripheral conversion of T to DHT, reducing androgen-dependent hair growth. Overall, all androgen-blocking medicines have equal results, hence the most essential factor in choosing patient selection will be adverse effects (5,6). The major goals of hormonal therapy in the treatment of hirsute women are to fix the underlying problem, halt new hairs from developing, and maybe reduce the growth of existing terminal hairs. Although hormone therapy alone can cause hair thinning and loss of pigmentation in terminal hairs, it rarely reverses the process of hair terminalization.
As a result, women with hirsutism must have any residual undesired terminalized hairs mechanically removed.
Mechanical Means of Treating Hirsutism
Many hirsute patients turn to shaving, bleaching, or depilation, which are safe and effective ways to reduce the appearance of undesired hairs with minimal adverse effects. However, plucking and/or waxing in androgenized skin areas should be avoided because these techniques not only do not kill hair follicles, but they also have a high risk of causing folliculitis and hair shaft damage, which can lead to ingrown hairs and further facial damage. Electrology and, perhaps, laser hair removal are two techniques for destroying undesired hair follicles.
However, most studies have been uncontrolled and included fewer than 50 patients, none have been blinded, and all have used a variety of treatment protocols, equipment, skin types, and hair colors investigated. Patients with lighter complexion (Fitzpatrick skin colors I-IV) and dark colored hairs have the best results with laser hair removal. Although full hair loss is unusual, repeated therapies are required, and it is unknown at what point several treatments provide the most benefit. In general, treatment with ruby, alexandrite, or diode lasers, or IPL, yields similar success rates, while the nd:YAG laser’s success rate may be slightly lower. Overall, laser hair removal should not be termed “permanent,” at least not based on existing research, according to the FDA’s position.
Electrology
Electrology is a procedure that has been used for over a century to destroy undesired hair follicles. Electrology is divided into three types. Electrolysis is the use of one or more sterile needles/probes and direct or galvanic current (DC, e.g. from a battery) to achieve chemical destruction of the hair follicle. Thermolysis creates heat by increasing the frequency of alternating current (AC, like with conventional electricity) and delivering it through a single sterile needle/probe, which destroys the hair follicle. The thermolysis current is also known as short wave or high frequency current. Finally, the Blend or dual modality treatment employs both of the aforementioned currents, which are delivered concurrently or sequentially using a single sterile needle/probe to induce dual action hair follicle destruction. The three modalities (multiple needle galvanic, thermolysis, and the Blend) all successfully achieve the goal of eliminating hair-producing cells in the hair follicle.
Dr. Charles E. Michel, known as the “Father of Electrolysis Hair Removal,” was a St. Louis, Missouri opthamologist who spent years researching the best way to remove ingrown eyelashes. In 1875, he stated that by simply introducing a needle charged with negative galvanic current into a hair follicle, he was able to eliminate ingrown eyelashes. Professor Paul M. Kree of New York improved this technique by employing numerous needles in 1916. Professor Kree was instrumental in the rising acceptance of electrolysis as a viable hair removal therapy since his multiple needle approach was significantly faster than the single needle procedure that had previously been employed, though it was still slow by today’s standards.
Dr. Henry Bordier of Paris, France, stated in 1923, about 50 years after Dr. Michel’s research, that hairs may be destroyed by applying high frequency or AC current. Thermolysis was born as a result of this discovery. Unlike manual multiple needle electrolysis, the new thermolysis equipment provided such a high-intensity current that it was timed by an automatic timer. Modified medical diathermy devices were the only high frequency thermolysis equipment available until the late 1930s. These early machines lacked calibrated dials for judging timing and intensity, and humidity and temperature had a significant impact. Thermolysis equipment today is extremely calibrated and precise. The treatment time on some epilators is as short as 1/1000th of a second.
In 1938, Henri St. Peirre and Arthur Hinkle of San Francisco, California, began creating a machine to destroy hair follicles using a mixture of the two currents previously utilized, AC and DC, in an attempt to combine the speed of the AC with the efficiency of the galvanic (DC) approach. Mr. St. Pierre was given a patent for a machine that produced electrology using the Blend modality in 1948.
Electrolysis in the Treatment of Hirsutism
Electrology is recognized by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a method of permanent hair removal. The FDA defines needle-type epilators as “a device intended to remove hair by damaging the dermal papilla of a hair” in Title 21, CFR, Sec. 878.5350. Only electrologists are authorized to advertise permanent hair removal since no other technology for hair removal has the unique identity of “killing the dermal papilla of a hair.” Other hair removal methods, such as lasers, have not been able to attain this level of detail.
Electrolysis (also known as electroepilation) is the only procedure for permanently removing hair that has been demonstrated to cause long-term hair loss (7,8). Repeated treatments have been found to result in permanent damage (alopecia or hair loss) in 15% to 50% of the hairs treated (9). The amount of treatments required varies from person to person. To attain the best outcomes in the shortest amount of time, it’s critical to stick to the prescribed treatment regimen. While electrolysis is a painless technique, because each hair follicle is surrounded by its own network of nerve endings, it is difficult to remove hair growing tissue without causing discomfort. Despite the fact that some regions of the body are more sensitive than others, changes can be made to keep the treatment comfortable. Some individuals may require the use of topical anesthetics, such as EMLA Cream, prior to treatment (an emulsion of lidocaine 2.5 percent and prilocaine 2.5 percent , Astra-Zeneca Pharmaceuticals LP).
After electrolysis, side effects such as scarring might occur, especially if the procedure is performed incorrectly (10). However, scarring is uncommon nowadays, and when electrolysis is performed by a qualified electrologist using modern equipment and techniques, there should be no obvious skin damage. Years ago, the usage of older galvanic devices caused scarring since the needles were made of unshielded metal, which could cause skin burns. To prevent this from happening, galvanic device needles are now protected (insulated). The safety and effectiveness of needle-type electrolysis have been shown over the course of over a century of use.
It’s also worth noting that electrologists are frequently the first people a hirsute sufferer seeks help from. According to their responses to a standardized questionnaire, 40 percent of 779 consecutive new clients seeking electrology had possible risk factors for hyperandrogenism (11). When a sample group of these at-risk women was tested, almost 20% of them had a hirsutism score of six or above, with PCOS present in more than half of them. Surprisingly, only 26% of at-risk customers who were referred for a free medical evaluation followed through, demonstrating the extent to which hirsute women are unaware of the medical treatment options available to them.
Selecting an Electrologist
The only national organization dedicated to needle electrologists is the American Electrology Association (AEA). The AEA makes a concerted effort to educate its members about PCOS. To get the best and most complete treatment for the hirsute woman, AEA members appreciate the need of developing a rapport and working relationship with endocrinologists and other medical specialists that treat PCOS. Locating an electrologist who is both an AEA member and a Certified Professional Electrologist (CPE) is an useful consumer guide to finding a practitioner who stays current in their area. The electrologist who has earned the CPE designation has passed the AEA’s thorough national testing and has continued to meet the requisite continuing education and/or re-testing requirements. A certificate from the AEA with a current year validation sticker serves as proof of membership. The membership roster is also listed in the AEA Referral Directory.
Third Party Reimbursement of Electrology
Electrolysis treatments are typically not covered by Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs). Specific stipulations in some insurance contracts, however, may allow electrology patients or consumers to seek payment. Before requesting a letter from your primary care physician, it’s a good idea to check your contract. The letter from the doctor must say that “electrolysis is medically necessary” as part of the overall treatment for the disease (e.g. PCOS, CPT code 256.4; or Androgen Excess, CPT code 256.1). After that, you must send this letter to your insurance company.
Depilatory therapies are already considered “medical care” for insurance purposes, according to a precedent (Abernathy v. The Prudential Insurance Company of America, No. 21178, Supreme Court of South Carolina, March 31, 1980). Plaintiff sued her insurance in this case after it refused to reimburse her for the expense of depilatory procedures (i.e. electrolysis) that her doctor had advised. The policy listed “doctors’ services for surgical operations and other medical care” as “qualifying expenses,” but it also said that “anything not ordered by a doctor or not necessary for medical care of illness” was not covered. The plaintiff’s verdict was upheld by the South Carolina State Supreme Court, which noted that “medical care… must be conducted by or under the guidance of licensed medical personnel.” Furthermore, the court determined that because plaintiff undertook treatments on the advice of her physician, the costs were medically “essential” and thus not barred from coverage under the insurance.
SUMMARY
Hirsutism is not only disfiguring on the outside, but it can also be a substantial hindrance to a young woman’s social life and emotional well-being, lowering her quality of life. Hirsutism is usually a symptom of underlying androgen excess, most commonly PCOS, and its associated morbidity. As a result, the hirsute woman should undergo a complete examination and begin hormone suppressive therapy as soon as the diagnosis is made. Although hormone therapy alone can sometimes cause terminal hairs to shrink and lose pigmentation, it seldom causes undesirable hairs to disappear. Electrology and, perhaps, laser hair removal are two techniques for destroying undesired hair follicles. Long-term data on laser hair removal, however, is still available. Electrology has been in use for over a century and results in the permanent eradication of undesired hair follicles. Electrology is divided into three types: electrolysis, thermolysis, and a combination of both electrolysis and thermolysis. Electrology has been used for over a century, and only electrologists are allowed to advertise permanent hair removal, according to the FDA. Furthermore, it should be noted that electrologists are frequently the first people hirsute patients seek help from, and as such, the electrologist is a vital member of the therapy team caring for these patients. The significance of choosing a well-trained and skilled electrologist, on the other hand, cannot be overstated. Because electrology regulation differs so considerably between states, other techniques of measuring practitioner quality, such as the CPE certificate, become crucial when selecting an electrologist. While third-party reimbursement for electrology is not always available, it is worth investigating this payment option further, potentially with the patient’s physician’s help. Overall, electrology is an efficient and safe way for hirsute PCOS patients to completely remove unwanted hairs.
REFERENCES
- Knochenhauer ES, Key TJ, Kahsar-Miller M, Waggoner W, Boots LR, Azziz R. Knochenhauer ES, Key TJ, Kahsar-Miller M, Waggoner W, Boots LR, Azziz R. A prospective investigation evaluating the prevalence of polycystic ovarian syndrome in unselected Black and White women in the Southeastern United States. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, vol. 83, no. 3, pp. 3078-3082, 1998.
- R. Azziz, E. Carmina, and M. E. Sawaya. Idiopathic hirsutism is a type of hirsutism that occurs for no apparent reason. Endocrine Reviews, vol. 21, no. 3, pp. 347-362, 2000.
- R. Azziz, W. T. Waggoner, T. Ochoa, E. S. Knochenhauer, and L. R. Boots. In Alabama, idiopathic hirsutism is a rare cause of hirsutism. Fertil Steril, vol. 70, no. 8, 1998, pp. 274-8.
- Sanchez LA, Knochenhauer ES, Gatlin R, Moran C, Azziz R, Gatlin R, Gatlin R, Gatlin R, Gatlin R, Gatlin R, Gat Experience with over 1000 consecutive patients in determining the differential diagnosis of clinically apparent hyperandrogenism. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s Annual Meeting, Orlando, Florida, October 20-25, 2001 (Abstract O-294. Fertil Steril 76:S111 (Supplement), 2001
- S. Venturoli, O. Marescalchi, F. M. Colombo, S. Macrelli, B. Ravaioli, A. Bagnoli, R. Paradisi, and C. Flamigni. In the treatment of hirsutism, a prospective randomized trial compared low dose flutamide, finasteride, ketoconazole, and cyproterone acetate-estrogen regimens. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, vol. 84, no. 3, pp. 1304-1310, 1999.
- P. Moghetti, F. Tosi, A. Tosti, C. Negri, C. Misciali, F. Perrone, Muggeo, Muggeo, Muggeo, Muggeo, Muggeo, Muggeo, Muggeo, Muggeo, Muggeo, Muggeo, Muggeo, Muggeo, A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled experiment compared the efficacy of spironolactone, flutamide, and finasteride in the treatment of hirsutism. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, vol. 85, no. 1, pp. 89-94, 2000.
- Peereboom JDR Wynia, E Stolz, T van Joost, JDR Wynia, JDR Wynia, JDR Wynia, JDR Wynia, JDR Wyn A comparison of the effects of diathermy and the blend method for electrical epilation of beard hairs in women with hirsutism. 1985, Arch Dermatol Res 278:84-86.
- RN Richards and GE Meharg. Electrolysis: the results of 13 years and 140,000 hours of practice. 1995, J Am Acad Dermatol, 33:662-666.
- RF Wagner, RF Wagner, RF Wagner, RF Wagner, RF Wagner, RF Wagner, RF Wagner, RF Wagner, RF Wagner, RF Wagner, RF Wagner Cutis 45:19, 2nd edition, 1990.
- Histologic alterations of human hair follicles after electrolysis: a comparison of two procedures, Kligman AM, Peters L. 1984, Cutis 34:169176.
- L. Farah, A. J. Lazenby, R. L. Boots, R. L. Azziz, and the Alabama Professional Electrology Association Study Group Polycystic ovarian syndrome is common among women who seek therapy from community electrologists. J
FIND OUT WHAT TRAININGS ARE AVAILABLE IN YOUR STATE
For practicing electrology, each state has its own set of criteria. To learn more about the training programs available in your state, use the map or the list below.
Is electrolysis better than laser for PCOS?
“The 5-alpha reductase enzyme activity in hair follicles is enhanced in PCOS. The good news is that hair removal for PCOS, such as laser or electrolysis, is an excellent alternative because both therapies target the hair follicle directly, weakening or killing it.
Does insurance cover laser for PCOS?
Most people have a hair removal regimen, whether it’s plucking a few stray hairs or shaving the common hair-growing areas. The amount of hair that needs to be removed varies from person to person. Hair removal procedures are not all made equal, and unwanted hair can be both bothersome and embarrassing. Shaving can lead to folliculitis, a skin disorder in which pustules or blisters grow around hair follicles, causing redness and inflammation. Folliculitis can produce scars in extreme circumstances.
Excessive hair growth is common in women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Dark, coarse hair can accumulate in a variety of places on the face and body, causing self-esteem issues, especially in young women going through puberty. Folliculitis and PCOS are both real medical diseases that necessitate the use of laser hair removal (LHR). However, the expense is unlikely to be covered by insurance.
Does electrolysis work on hormonal hair growth?
Electrolysis can help you regulate increased or abnormal hair growth caused by hormonal fluctuations! Put an end to it with electrolysis!
Will insurance cover hair removal for PCOS?
The charity organization PCOS Challenge, Inc. will be awarding awards of up to $500 to support women and girls coping with hair and skin disorders associated to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome as part of a multi-year endowment from PCOS Diva (PCOS). The PCOS Diva/PCOS Challenge Confidence Grant helps with dermatological treatments, laser hair removal, and electrolysis charges.
PCOS affects 10% of women and is a genetic, hormonal, metabolic, and reproductive condition. PCOS often has devastating effects on women’s and girls’ quality of life and self-esteem due to symptoms such as excessive facial and body hair growth, acne, hair loss, anxiety, and depression, in addition to carrying higher risks for infertility, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, endometrial cancer, and other serious conditions.
“The objective of PCOS Diva is to empower PCOS women to reclaim their fertility, femininity, health, and happiness.” Hirsutism, or undesired male-pattern hair growth in women, is one of the most difficult PCOS symptoms for many women. This is a symptom that I have personally experienced, and laser hair removal was a lifesaver for me. It helped me regain my self-esteem and confidence. “I am pleased to be able to support women who may not be able to afford the expense of reclaiming their femininity through the Confidence Grant,” says Amy Medling, Founder of PCOS Diva.
Sasha Ottey, Executive Director of PCOS Challenge, Inc., adds, “We are happy to join with PCOS Diva to give the Confidence Grant.” “We hope that others will follow and support this important step forward in tackling a neglected area of PCOS and women’s health.” Unfortunately, many healthcare, insurance, and granting organizations, as well as others who may help, are uninformed of the problem’s scope, severity, and impact. PCOS is the most common endocrine illness in women, and the major hair and skin disorders that people with PCOS have are sometimes ignored as cosmetic rather than handled as medical issues. As a result, the cries for help from millions of PCOS-affected girls and women are mostly neglected by big institutions, and required treatments like electrolysis and laser hair removal are not covered by insurance, making them impossible to obtain. Many girls and women with PCOS suffer from hair and skin problems, which can have a negative impact on their social development and lead to their dropping out of school, quitting their jobs, and withdrawing from society. More needs to be done, and we are pleased that, with the support of PCOS Diva, we are able to contribute to closing this critical healthcare gap.”
With approximately 35,000 members, PCOS Challenge, Inc. is the foremost 501(c)(3) nonprofit support organization for women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Through television and radio programming, online and offline support groups, and education and awareness campaigns, the organization affects the lives of women with PCOS and their supporters every year. Since its inception in 2009, PCOS Challenge has assisted thousands of women in finding answers that have helped them conquer infertility, weight gain, hirsutism, anxiety, and depression, as well as reducing their risk of developing a variety of life-threatening conditions.
How much does electrolysis cost?
The cost of electrolysis is usually determined by the length of your treatment session. However, expect to pay anything between $30 and $100 every session. For example, if you want to get rid of hair on your legs, you can expect to pay more than if you want to get rid of hair on your chin.
Our electrologist can build a personalized treatment plan for you and provide you with an accurate price quote during a consultation.
How long is PCOS electrolysis?
At the moment, I’d given up hope of ever feeling normal again. I was sick of shaving, waxing, plucking, and bleaching my hair. Whatever I did, the hair would grow back the next day. By the end of the day, I’d have a five o’clock shadow, itchy skin from shaving, pimples from waxing, and my self-esteem had utterly plummeted. I soon gave up on dealing with the hair since I no longer had the courage to do so. It got to the point where I honestly didn’t give a damn what other people thought of me because I had lost all respect and self-love for myself. I gave up on the outside world for a while, and I believe that by the time I was 22-24 years old, I had hit the lowest point of depression possible, and I wasn’t in a pleasant place. All I could think about was how no one would ever love or accept me because of my facial hair. It was evident to everyone of my pals that I had facial hair. But the mere fact that they would notice or even glance at my face for an extra second made me feel extremely self-conscious. It harmed me in such a way that it’s been quite difficult for me to go on and accept who I am and what I’ve been through.
Laser doesn’t work with PCOS*
After the eighth treatment, the laser technician informed me that because to my PCOS, laser would not work on me and that I should instead opt for electrolysis. I’d spent all of my money and had effectively increased the amount of hair on my face. I looked into electrolysis, but it was simply too expensive for me. Because electrolysis zaps one hair at a time, treating the entire face can take 20+ hours, and each hair follicle requires 2-10 treatments. The worst part is that electrolysis treatments must be done on a regular basis; you cannot skip a few months and then return. It won’t work, the hair will regrow, and you’ll be out of pocket. Electrolysis was obviously out of the question and out of my monetary range at the time. As a result, I gave up totally. Shaving, plucking, and waxing were no longer an option for me. The amount of hair was so outrageous that anything I attempted only made it worse. I’d had enough of my skin being so sensitive and inflamed. I opted to just bleach the hair and let it grow out. I was sick of pulling each hair out of my skin 2-3 times a day just to feel like a woman, so I just let it grow out. I had the long facial hair for at least two years. Everyone was taken aback. My friends obviously didn’t treat me any differently, but they did notice, as did outsiders.
*In retrospect, laser treatment might have been more beneficial if my hormones and insulin levels had been more normal, as they are now.
My male hormones were too high, and my female hormones, LH and FSH, were irregular, whereas they’re all normal now. I believe laser didn’t work because my insulin was in the 40s, whereas it’s now 7. My male hormones were too high, and my female hormones, LH and FSH, were irregular, whereas they’re all normal now. However, I believe that the laser did not function because my hormones and insulin were out of tune. However, I cannot tell for certain that this was the cause. It was, without a doubt, one of the key reasons for its failure. It might have worked if my hormones and insulin levels had been normal, but I can’t recommend laser to anyone because of my unpleasant experience.
Electrolysis
I had visited a few electrolysis facilities in Ottawa and Toronto during those two years to see what it was like and how it felt. I told them I did laser hair removal and that it had tripled the amount of hair I had before.
Do you shave before electrolysis?
3 days prior to treatment, make sure you haven’t shaved, waxed, or used any other type of hair removal. The hairs must be long enough to be tweezed using a professional tool. I strongly advise shaving three days prior to treatment so that we can achieve absolutely permanent outcomes for any remaining hairs. Drink plenty of water the day before and the day of your treatment. On the day of your treatment, try to stay away from caffeine.
Does electrolysis remove peach fuzz?
Clearly, in terms of gender, this entry has to be updated for the twenty-first century. Peach fuzz isn’t just a problem for adolescent boys, though! Some people simply have more facial and body hair than others – much like the hair on our heads and brows, we all have varied amounts and thicknesses of facial and body hair. Women aren’t completely hairless! We all have hair in areas we wish we didn’t, but the volume and thickness of it varies.
Accepting what we have and trying not to feel humiliated or embarrassed is sometimes the greatest “therapy.” It’s important to realize that many of the photographs you see on the internet and in glossy magazines aren’t real. Clients often believe they are the only ones who have the problem, but when I inform them about the various ways it can be resolved here at the spa, they feel more at ease. My recommendation to young girls in particular is to avoid harsh or excessive hair treatments if at all possible, since you may come to regret them years later. If they do decide to have a treatment, I recommend that they look for a respected spa (like mine).
If you want to get rid of peach fuzz, you must first understand what you’re up against. Peach fuzz differs from a man’s beard in that it is vellus hair rather than coarser, darker ‘terminal hair.’ Peach fuzz is finer, shorter, softer, and often lighter in color than regular fuzz, and it can only be seen up close in the majority of cases. Because it’s often difficult to notice, it’s also difficult to remove, which is why you should only go there if the fuzzies are really bothering you.
Peach Fuzz Removal Options
Disclaimer: If at all feasible, seek the advice of a trained skin care specialist we’re talking about your entire face here, and peach fuzz is persistent. But, if you really want to know how to get rid of peach fuzz and downy hairs, read on.
Dermaplaning searches are up 621 percent year over year, and with good reason! You may learn everything there is to know about dermaplaning here, as well as this tidbit:
- Dermaplaning is a good way to exfoliate your skin. Dead skin cells are removed from the epidermis with a scalpel blade (top layer of the skin). Dermaplaning removes undesirable vellus hairs from the face in addition to exfoliating.
After the first treatment, you should notice a difference. Not only will you have smoother, brighter skin, but you’ll also be free of peach fuzz, and the hair will not grow back thicker, contrary to common opinion.
The entire procedure is painless (it feels like a light’scraping’), and it also aids in the penetration of your regular skin care products. The treatment is usually prescribed once a month, although this relies entirely on your skin type, peach fuzz state, and financial situation.
THREADING 2
Professional brow bars all over the country offer all-over facial threading, and an excellent threading specialist can remove peach fuzz in no time, however expect a lot of eye watering. Following treatment, there may be some redness and irritation, which can last up to three days. Before and throughout recuperation, avoid harsh treatments, retinol, and exfoliating acids, as well as heavy and perfumed lotions, as they can cause flare-ups and breakouts. As far as peach fuzz removers go, this one has a long history, with both women and men threading their faces for generations.
3. CREAM FOR HAIR REMOVAL
It is recommended to use sensitive facial products, however even these might cause irritation and burns if not used properly. Before you go all in on the packet and patch test, stick to the development time. Just make sure to fully wash it off and save your powerful skin care routine for later – you’ll need a moderate moisturizer to keep things calm.
ELECTROLYSIS is the fourth step in the electrolysis process.
This treatment may work for you if your peach fuzz is thicker, and it’s the only form of permanent hair removal for this type of hair now accessible. Electrolysis involves inserting a very thin needle into the orifice in the skin where the hair grows (the follicle). The needle must make contact with the blood supply at the follicle’s base. The blood supply is then cauterized (sealed off) using heat administered through the needle. The needle is removed, and the hair is then lifted out of the skin using tweezers. A new hair cannot grow without the presence of a blood supply.
It’s important to remember that electrolysis is only as effective as the therapist who does it. It’s a highly sophisticated procedure that will only produce long-term results if done correctly. Electrolysis can be highly effective on all hair and skin hues, but it is a pricey option with a few medical restrictions to be aware of – seek a consultation with an expert to explore whether it’s suitable for you.
5. Waxes
This is a good idea that has been tried and proven for decades! It’s an aggressive hair removal solution for your entire face, and it’s not for sensitive, acne-prone, or rosacea-prone skin. It’s also crucial to take easy on the aftercare aloe vera all the way, no acids, no sun exposure, and plenty of SPF. Ripping, pulling, and ingrown hairs are all possible side effects of a thorough facial wax.
BLEACHING
While bleach won’t zap hairs, it will lighten your peach fuzz if it’s on the darker side, making it less obvious, though it won’t protect you from the glare of the sun or zoomed camera lenses. However, no one wants to live their life in front of a camera, and it’s likely that it’s considerably less noticeable than you believe.
7. LASER THERAPIES
If your peach fuzz is light in color, avoid going there because laser hair removal targets the pigment in the hair, which can cause more harm than good. Burns, lasting hyperpigmentation, or scarring could result, with no reduction in peach fuzz. If your peach fuzz is going into full facial hair territory, laser might be the way to go schedule a consultation with an expert to discuss your alternatives.
TWEEZING is number eight.
This option is merely included to tell you that it is not a good choice. Why? Plucking is one of the worst things a client can do in this situation because it stimulates the blood supply to the follicles, resulting in thicker, stronger hairs over time. Not to mention the soul-crushing thought of individually plucking all of the minuscule hairs.
Botanica Spa Services
We can certainly assist you in getting rid of peach fuzz! Adding dermaplaning to any of our various facials is a favorite of ours because it allows for better absorption and faster results for fabulous, glowing skin. Alternatively, any region of peach fuzz on your face that you don’t want – around the lip, brows, etc. can be waxed by one of our waxing experts.
Does insurance cover PCOS?
Insurance coverage is not available: While some health insurance policies exclude fertility treatment, most will at least cover the diagnosis and treatment of underlying conditions that can lead to infertility, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, fibroids, and certain male-specific conditions, such as prostate cancer.