Lasers and Androgens - An Ongoing Battle

Laser hair removal is a highly effective means of removing unwanted hair but sometimes you may notice regrowth even after having had the recommended number of sessions. Lasers work primarily on hair follicles when they are in their active growth phase; however, sometimes the follicle isn’t completely destroyed by the laser or there are inactive, or dormant, follicles that weren’t producing visible hair during the laser treatments. When this happens, hormones (especially androgens like testosterone and DHT), can stimulate these weakened or dormant follicles and push them into the active growth phase leading to pesky regrowth or new growth. 

Medical Conditions & Hormone Changes

Furthermore, medical conditions such as PCOS or changes in hormone levels due to puberty, pregnancy/post-partum, perimenopause, and birth control can lead to increased sensitivity of the hair follicle to androgens present in the body, leading to unwanted growth or re-growth of hair. While lasers can treat the symptom, they don’t address the underlying hormonal signaling leading to hair growth. This may mean

• ongoing maintenance laser treatments (only 10% of your package cost),
• discussing medication management with your doctor to address the root cause (hormones), and even
• consideration of electrolysis (we recommend Paragon Day Spa in Charlottesville).

At Smooth Skin Laser, our dedicated and knowledgeable staff can work with you to create a personalized plan for effective and lasting hair removal.