PCOS and Unwanted Hair Growth: What You Need to Know
Written by Diana Callas, RE, LE, CLHRP · Founder, LHR Skin and Vein Center
Meet Diana
If you have been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome — or suspect you might have it — you already know that unwanted hair growth is one of its most frustrating and persistent symptoms. It is not vanity. It is a genuine medical reality that affects your confidence, your time, and your quality of life every single day.After more than 25 years of treating clients across Metro Detroit, I have worked with more PCOS clients than I can count. I understand what you are dealing with, and I understand what actually works. This page is meant to give you honest, practical information — not a sales pitch.
What Is PCOS?
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a hormonal disorder that affects how the ovaries function. It is one of the most common hormonal conditions in women of reproductive age, affecting roughly 8 to 13 percent of women worldwide according to the World Health Organization.
PCOS is characterized by elevated androgen levels — male hormones that everyone has, but that women with PCOS tend to produce in excess. This hormonal imbalance drives a wide range of symptoms including irregular periods, acne, weight gain, and unwanted hair growth.
What Causes PCOS?
The exact cause of PCOS is not fully understood, but research points to a combination of factors:
Insulin resistance. The majority of women with PCOS have some degree of insulin resistance, meaning their cells do not respond normally to insulin. This causes the body to produce more insulin, which in turn stimulates the ovaries to produce more androgens.
Elevated androgens. Higher-than-normal androgen levels disrupt the normal ovulation cycle and drive many of the outward symptoms of PCOS — including excess hair growth on the face and body.
Genetics. PCOS tends to run in families. If your mother or sister has it, your risk is meaningfully higher.
Low-grade inflammation. Women with PCOS often show signs of chronic low-grade inflammation, which may further stimulate androgen production by the ovaries.
None of these factors work in isolation. PCOS is a complex, multifactorial condition — and that complexity is one reason it is so frequently misdiagnosed or diagnosed late.
How Is PCOS Diagnosed?
PCOS is diagnosed by a physician, typically a gynecologist or endocrinologist, using what is known as the Rotterdam Criteria. A diagnosis requires at least two of the following three findings:
Irregular or absent ovulation
Elevated androgen levels (confirmed by blood test or clinical symptoms such as hirsutism or acne)
Polycystic ovaries visible on ultrasound
Diagnosis often involves bloodwork to measure hormone levels — including testosterone, LH, FSH, and insulin — as well as a pelvic ultrasound and a review of your symptoms and menstrual history.
If you are in the Metro Detroit area and looking for a knowledgeable physician to guide your PCOS diagnosis and medical management, I am happy to refer you to two physicians I trust:
Dr. Laurie C. Stanczak, MD
Dr. Laurie C. Stanczak, MD — Located at 30795 23 Mile Road in Chesterfield. A physician I trust to give PCOS patients a thorough, personalized evaluation.
Dr. Ashish Verma, MD
Dr. Ashish Verma, MD — Board-certified Endocrinologist and Geriatric Medicine specialist at Henry Ford Health. Dr. Verma specializes in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism — the field most directly relevant to PCOS and its hormonal drivers. He sees patients in Shelby Township at 2177 Auburn Road and in Rochester at Henry Ford Rochester Hospital, 1101 W. University Drive.
Dr. Ngozika Onyiuke, MD
Dr. Ngozika Onyiuke, MD — OB-GYN at Eastside Gynecology & Obstetrics, with locations across Metro Detroit including Grosse Pointe, Roseville, and Macomb. Dr. Onyiuke specializes in womans health making her an excellent first point of contact for clients seeking a PCOS diagnosis and ongoing management.
*We frequently update our physician recommendations list.
Medical Treatment for PCOS
Hair removal manages the symptom. It does not manage the condition. I want to be clear about that distinction because it matters for your long-term outcomes.
The medical management of PCOS is handled by your physician and may include:
Hormonal contraceptives. Birth control pills, patches, or rings are commonly prescribed to regulate the menstrual cycle and reduce androgen levels, which can slow the rate of new hair growth.
Anti-androgen medications. Drugs such as spironolactone block the effect of androgens at the hair follicle level. When used alongside laser treatment, they can significantly improve and extend results.
Metformin. Often prescribed for insulin resistance associated with PCOS, metformin can help regulate hormone levels and may reduce androgen-driven hair growth over time.
Lifestyle modifications. Weight loss — even modest amounts — has been shown to meaningfully reduce androgen levels and improve PCOS symptoms. Regular exercise and dietary changes that improve insulin sensitivity can compound the effects of medical treatment.
Clients who are actively working with their physicians on hormonal management tend to see the best and most lasting results from laser hair removal. I encourage every PCOS client to keep that line of communication open and to share any medication changes with me before treatment.
What Is Hirsutism?
Hirsutism is the medical term for excess hair growth in women in areas where hair is not typically present or is minimal — the face, chin, upper lip, neck, chest, abdomen, and back. It is one of the most common and distressing symptoms of PCOS, affecting between 70 and 80 percent of women with the condition.
The hair associated with PCOS hirsutism tends to be coarse, dark, and fast-growing. It is hormonally driven, which means that conventional hair removal methods — shaving, waxing, tweezing — provide only temporary relief. The hair comes back, often quickly, because the underlying hormonal driver is still active.
Why Conventional Hair Removal Doesn’t Work for PCOS
Shaving, waxing, and tweezing address the hair at the surface. They do nothing about the follicle, and they do nothing about the androgen levels telling that follicle to keep producing hair. For women with PCOS, this creates an exhausting and expensive cycle that never ends.
Research supports what I see every day in my practice: laser hair removal is one of the most effective long-term solutions for managing PCOS-related hair growth. Studies show that 95 percent of PCOS patients report satisfaction with laser treatment results, and clinical trials have demonstrated that laser treatment reduces not just the hair itself, but also the depression and anxiety that come with it.
How I Approach PCOS at LHR Skin and Vein Center
PCOS is not a one-size-fits-all condition, and neither is the treatment approach. Here is how I think about it:
Laser First for Dark Hair
If you have PCOS and your unwanted hair is dark, laser hair removal is almost always the right starting point. The Lumenis LightSheer DUET diode laser I use at LHR targets the pigment in the hair follicle directly. Sessions are spaced every 6 to 8 weeks, and most clients see significant reduction within 6 to 8 treatments.
PCOS clients may require more sessions than clients without hormonal hair growth — and some may need periodic maintenance treatments if their hormone levels continue to stimulate new follicles. I am honest about this upfront. Laser does not cure PCOS. But it can dramatically reduce the burden of managing the hair, and for many clients, that is life-changing.
Electrolysis for Hair Laser Cannot Target
If your PCOS-related hair is white, gray, red, or otherwise lacking the pigment the laser needs to see, electrolysis is the appropriate treatment. Electrolysis works on all hair colors because it targets the follicle directly with electrical current rather than depending on pigment.
I am one of the few specialists in Michigan licensed in both laser and electrolysis. That means I can treat your PCOS hair comprehensively — using laser where it is effective, and electrolysis to finish what laser cannot reach.
A Combination Approach When Needed
Many PCOS clients come in with a mix of hair types — some dark, some lighter, some that have lost pigment after previous treatments elsewhere. In these cases, I use both methods strategically: laser first, electrolysis to finish. The goal is always permanent results, not a never-ending treatment schedule.
Medical Management and Education
Laser and electrolysis manage the hair. They do not manage the hormonal condition driving it. I educate every PCOS client fully on their options — including the role that medical management, such as medications prescribed by their physician, can play in slowing new hair growth and extending the results of laser treatment. Clients who work with their doctors on hormonal management alongside laser treatment tend to see the best and most lasting outcomes.
What to Expect at Your Consultation
When you come in for a free consultation, I will:
Evaluate your hair — color, texture, density, and distribution across the affected areas
Discuss your PCOS history, any medications you are currently taking, and any previous hair removal treatments
Build a treatment plan specific to your hair type and your goals
Perform test spots on areas of concern
Give you a realistic picture of how many sessions you are likely to need and what maintenance may look like over time
There are no scripts and no pressure. I will tell you exactly what I think will work for you — and if I believe a different approach would serve you better, I will say so.
The Emotional Reality of PCOS Hair Growth
Clinical research has confirmed what I have seen firsthand for decades: the psychological impact of PCOS-related hirsutism is significant. Studies show that effective hair removal treatment reduces not just the hair, but also the depression and anxiety that accompany it.
If you have spent years managing unwanted hair and feeling like nothing works permanently, you are not alone and you are not imagining how hard it is. The right treatment, with the right specialist, can make a real difference — not just in how your skin looks, but in how you feel every day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does laser hair removal cure PCOS?
No. Laser hair removal manages the hair growth associated with PCOS — it does not treat the underlying hormonal condition. Some clients may need periodic maintenance sessions as PCOS continues to stimulate new follicles over time.
How many laser sessions will I need for PCOS hair?
Most PCOS clients require more sessions than clients without hormonal hair growth — typically 8 or more initial treatments, spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart. I will give you a realistic estimate during your free consultation based on your specific hair type and treatment area.
Can you treat all areas affected by PCOS hair growth?
Yes. I treat all areas commonly affected by PCOS hirsutism — face, chin, upper lip, neck, chest, abdomen, back, and bikini area. There is no area of the body I cannot address.
What if I have both dark and light hair from PCOS?
This is common, especially in clients who have had previous treatments elsewhere that depigmented some follicles. I use a combination of laser and electrolysis to address all hair types comprehensively.
Do I need to be off medications before treatment?
Some medications can affect laser treatment — particularly photosensitizing drugs. I will review your current medications at your consultation and advise accordingly.
Should I see a doctor about my PCOS before starting treatment?
If you have not yet been formally diagnosed or are not currently working with a physician on your PCOS, I strongly encourage it. Medical management can meaningfully improve your hair removal results. If you are in Metro Detroit and need a referral, I am happy to recommend Dr. Laurie C. Stanczak in Chesterfield.
Ready to Talk About Your PCOS Hair Growth?
Free consultations are available for new clients throughout Rochester, Oakland County, and Macomb County. I will evaluate your hair, your skin, and your history — and give you an honest treatment plan built around your specific situation.
Call LHR Skin and Vein Center at (248) 651-4799 or contact me online to schedule.
