Q: I am a 26-year-old Emirati woman and have been getting laser body hair removal treatment for the last one year. However, the hair growth has not yet decreased.
It’s quite unfortunate that in spite of going through multiple sessions of hair removal treatments, you have failed to see any reduction in your body hair. There could be one or all of the following factors involved in this treatment failure.
The first factor to consider is selection of a laser that is unsuitable for your body hair type. Particular body hair types in individuals with different racial backgrounds require careful laser selection with specific wavelengths.
I also suspect that you might have an underlying hormonal abnormality that could have been consistently stimulating body hair growth. This suspicion can only be eliminated by doing thorough blood investigations and certain other tests. If PCOS is confirmed, a properly designed hormonal therapy will be necessary to be instituted simultaneously during the period of the laser hair removal treatments.
A third factor is a condition called paradoxical hypertrichosis after laser therapy, which could simply be defined as a reactive hair growth in neighbouring areas adjacent to the laser-treated areas. PH usually starts getting visible a few months after a laser hair removal treatment session. Face and neck are the areas most prone to get affected. Asian patients are relatively at a higher risk.
Seek a second professional opinion at a dermatology centre with an established reputation. The doctor will need to investigate you for underlying hormonal abnormalities and treat you through a smartly designed treatment plan keeping all of the above factors in mind.
Dr Ikramullah Al Nasir is a specialist dermatologist and medical director of Dermacare Dubai. Got a problem? Our fantastic panel of renowned experts is available to answer all your questions related to fashion, well-being, nutrition, finance and hypnotherapy.
