Hair Removal

Does Laser Hair Removal Work For Hormonal Hair Growth?

What to Know About Treating Hormonal Hair Safely, Effectively, and Long-Term

Hormonal hair growth can be stubborn, but it’s not untreatable. For patients dealing with excess or unwanted hair caused by hormonal changes or conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), laser hair removal is one of the most effective long-term solutions available.

At LaserAway, treatments are performed using medical-grade laser technology designed to safely and permanently reduce hair growth over time—no matter the cause.

But hormonal hair growth can behave differently than other types, which means it often requires patience, precision, and personalization. That’s where LaserAway’s SmoothIQ Method and LaserSafe Solution come in, ensuring every treatment is both safe and results-driven for your unique skin, hair, and hormonal profile.

What Is Hormonal Hair Growth?

Hormonal hair growth occurs when fluctuations in hormones—particularly androgens like testosterone—stimulate hair follicles in areas where women typically have little to no hair. Common areas include the chin, jawline, neck, chest, abdomen, and inner thighs.

For many, this is part of life’s natural rhythm: puberty, pregnancy, menopause, or even changes in birth control can shift hormone levels enough to influence hair growth. In others, it’s linked to medical conditions like PCOS or insulin resistance, which affect how hormones interact with hair follicles.

No matter the source, LaserAway’s clinically trained medical professionals are experienced in treating all forms of hormonal hair growth with precision, compassion, and advanced technology.

How Laser Hair Removal Targets Hormonal Hair

Laser hair removal works by delivering concentrated light energy to the pigment within active hair follicles. The light converts to heat, safely disabling the follicle’s ability to produce new hair.

Unlike shaving or waxing, which temporarily removes hair, laser hair removal targets the root cause—the follicle itself.

As Board-Certified Dermatologist and LaserAway Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Will Kirby, explains:

“Shaving simply removes the hair that you can see on the surface, but it doesn’t affect the bulb.”

“Waxing rips out the hair by the bulb, but it doesn’t cause permanent reduction because that bulb still remains.”

Laser hair removal, on the other hand, permanently reduces active follicles over time. With each session, about 10–15% of hair in the treated area is permanently disabled, leading to visibly smoother, thinner, and lighter regrowth—if any at all.

Why Hormonal Hair Needs a Tailored Plan

Because hormonal hair growth is driven by internal factors, it often follows its own schedule. New follicles may become active later, even as existing ones are successfully treated.

This is why consistency is key—and why LaserAway’s SmoothIQ Method is essential. It ensures that your treatment plan isn’t one-size-fits-all, but built around five comprehensive considerations that influence your results:

  1. Genetics: Your unique hair and skin characteristics determine how your follicles respond to laser energy.
  2. Skin Tone: LaserAway’s advanced technology safely treats all skin types, Fitzpatrick I–VI.
  3. Hair Density: Hormonal hair often appears coarser or denser, requiring precise calibration for optimal results.
  4. Hormones: Your treatment plan accounts for hormonal fluctuations and adjusts as needed over time.
  5. Lifestyle: Scheduling consistency and skincare habits support long-term success.

This comprehensive, adaptive approach ensures that even hormonally driven hair is treated effectively—safely and with long-term confidence in your results.

The Technology Behind Safe, Effective Results

LaserAway exclusively uses Cynosure’s Apogee Elite® system, featuring two wavelengths—Alexandrite (755 nm) and Nd:YAG (1064 nm)—to treat every skin tone safely. The Nd:YAG wavelength, in particular, penetrates deeply to bypass skin pigment, making it ideal for patients with darker skin tones or more reactive complexions.

Every treatment is guided by The LaserSafe Solution, LaserAway’s proprietary laser safety protocol that integrates advanced Cynosure technology with the expertise of our licensed medical professionals. This protocol combines software intelligence with medical expertise to ensure every session begins conservatively and progresses precisely.

  • Automatic safety defaults ensure the system reverts to the Nd:YAG wavelength after inactivity, minimizing human error.
  • Built-in safeguards prevent incorrect wavelength selection.
  • Medical oversight ensures that each laser setting is tailored to your skin, hair, and hormonal profile.

This means laser hair removal remains safe and effective for all patients, including those with hormonal hair growth and sensitive skin.

The Treatment Experience

Your journey at LaserAway begins with a free consultation. Here, one of our treatment specialists reviews your medical history, hormonal considerations, and aesthetic goals to determine if laser hair removal is right for you.

At your first session, your clinician conducts a SmoothIQ assessment, evaluating your skin tone, hair density, and hormonal background to calibrate the laser settings precisely for you.

Each treatment session includes:

  1. Preparation: The area is cleansed, and your clinician ensures you’ve followed pre-treatment guidelines.
  2. Laser Application: Controlled pulses of light target active follicles beneath the skin.
  3. Cooling Comfort: Cynosure’s dynamic cooling device delivers a soothing mist of cryogen between pulses to minimize discomfort.
  4. Aftercare: Your clinician applies a calming serum and provides simple aftercare instructions.

As Dr. Kirby notes:

“We always say that the aftercare you should implement following laser hair removal is a simple, ‘common sense caution.’ There are no cumbersome aftercare protocols and we will, of course, provide you with all the information you might need.”

Most patients describe the sensation as a quick snap on the skin—brief, tolerable, and gone in seconds. And with no downtime, you can go right back to your routine afterward.

How Many Treatments You’ll Need

For hormonal hair growth, it’s especially important to complete the full treatment series recommended by your clinician—typically between six and eight sessions.

Each session targets hair in its active growth phase. Since hormones can trigger new follicles to enter this phase, your clinician may recommend occasional maintenance sessions to keep regrowth minimal.

The key takeaway: hormonal hair may require longer-term management, but it responds beautifully to laser when treated consistently and with the right technology.

How to Prepare for Your Appointment

A few simple steps can maximize your treatment results:

  • Avoid sun exposure for at least two weeks before your appointment.
  • Shave 12–24 hours prior to treatment to allow the laser to focus on follicles, not surface hair.
  • Skip waxing or plucking between sessions, as these remove the bulb the laser targets.
  • Stay consistent with your appointments, since hormonal cycles can affect hair growth timing.

As Dr. Kirby emphasizes:

“Sun avoidance and shaving the area prior to arriving at the clinic will definitely make for an efficient treatment experience. Also, because we time treatments in accordance with the growing cycle of your hair, keeping all scheduled appointments is an imperative part of a successful treatment experience.”

Why Laser Hair Removal Is Ideal for Hormonal Hair

Unlike temporary methods like waxing or shaving, laser hair removal offers several benefits for those with hormonally driven growth:

  • Long-Term Reduction: Permanent reduction with each session—10–15% on average.
  • Even Skin Texture: Smoother, clearer skin with fewer ingrown hairs and less irritation.
  • Confidence and Comfort: Aesthetic and emotional relief from the frustrations of recurring hair growth.
  • Safe for All Skin Tones: Thanks to advanced laser technology and medical expertise.

While hormonal hair may sometimes reappear due to ongoing hormonal activity, results are dramatically improved and regrowth is lighter and finer than before.

The LaserAway Difference

At LaserAway, we don’t just perform treatments—we build relationships based on trust, expertise, and results. Our combination of medical-grade technology, clinician expertise, and personalized protocols means every patient gets a treatment plan designed around their unique skin, hair, and hormonal needs.

Through our SmoothIQ Method and LaserSafe Solution, every step of your journey—from consultation to aftercare—is crafted for safety, precision, and long-term results.

The Takeaway: Real Results, Rooted in Science

Laser hair removal absolutely works for hormonal hair growth—it just requires the right approach. With LaserAway, that means science-led personalization, medical oversight, and proven technology that adapts to your needs.

So whether you’re managing PCOS, navigating perimenopause, or simply seeking lasting smoothness, LaserAway helps you feel confident in your skin—and in control of your results.

Because at LaserAway, smooth isn’t just the goal—it’s the method. Ready to begin your journey to smooth skin using our SmoothIQ Method? Book your free consultation today and discover the safe, effective way to treat hormonal hair growth with LaserAway.

References

  1. “Comparing Traditional and in Motion Nd:YAG Laser in Hair Removal: A Prospective Study,” Medicina, September 2, 2022.
  2. “Nd:YAG Technology for Laser Hair Removal: What’s New?,” Dermatological Reviews, July 26, 2024.
Does Laser Hair Removal Work For Hormonal Hair Growth?
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