Laser hair removal in women with polycystic ovary syndrome☆

Summary 

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common reasons for women to present seeking removal of facial hair, particularly within the UK National Health Service (NHS). In the NHS, there is geographical variation in the number of laser treatments available to women with PCOS, with some units limiting patients to six treatments whilst others allow unlimited treatments. This study aims to assess the effect of number of treatments on women with PCOS.

Methods

This study prospectively assessed hair counts, hair-free intervals and patient satisfaction in 60 women with PCOS undergoing 3ms pulse duration alexandrite laser treatment.

Results

Following six treatments there was a mean 31±38% reduction in hair counts (mean±SD; P=0.001). Mean hair-free interval (HFI) increased steadily with treatment, from 1.9 weeks after six treatments to 4.3 weeks after 10 treatments (P=0.001). From the postal questionnaire, after an average of 12 treatments, 31% of patients had a HFI longer than 6 weeks compared to only 2.6% after six treatments (P=0.003). Overall, despite the low hair count reductions, 95% of patients were satisfied with treatment.

Conclusion

In women with PCOS, laser treatment is associated with a poorer than expected reduction in hair counts and HFI following treatment. However, offering more than six treatments does have additional benefits in terms of prolonging HFI and overall patient satisfaction with treatment is very high.

Keywords: Polycystic ovary syndrome, Alexandrite laser, Hirsutism, Hair counts, Patient satisfaction questionnaire, Hair-free intervals