Laser hair removal is a safe and effective treatment option hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a chronic (long-term) skin condition caused by blocked hair follicles. Clogged hair follicles can lead to painful lumps, nodules (small masses of dense tissue), scars and skin tunnels (sores under the skin).
Laser hair removal can help manage the symptoms of HS by using a laser to emit a beam of highly concentrated light that removes clogged hair follicles from the body.
A dermatologist (a doctor who specializes in hair, skin, and nail conditions) may recommend laser hair removal as part of your treatment plan.
By reducing the amount of hair on the skin, laser hair removal can help reduce the lumps, knots, and abscesses that can form due to HS.
Laser hair removal can further help HS by minimizing inflammation and reducing inflammation. It can also reduce the level of bacteria on the skin and minimize the activity of the sebaceous glands (which produce oil), both of which can worsen HS symptoms.
Laser hair removal treatment removes hair by vaporizing it. The tool emits a laser, which destroys the hair and turns it into steam (smoke).
There are several laser hair removal techniques, and your dermatologist will recommend one based on the severity of your HS symptoms. The severity of HS is categorized into three stages:
- Hurley Stage 1: Abscesses without skin tunnels and scars
- Hurley Stage 2: Recurrent abscesses with tunnels and scars, together with single lesions or multiple, widely separated lesions
- Hurley Stage 3: Multiple interconnected sinus tracts (abnormal channels that connect the skin to deeper parts of the body) and abscesses covering large areas of the body
Your skin tone and hair color will also affect which of the two laser hair removal processes you receive.
Alexandrite laser
Alexandrite laser is considered safe and effective for people with mild to moderate symptoms of HS.
The alexandrite laser has shorter wavelengths, making it a more effective option for lighter skin because the laser better absorbs the melanin in the hair follicles. Melanin is a natural substance that determines the color of hair, skin and eyes.
The Alexandrite laser also covers a wider area of skin, making the treatment time faster and less painful overall.
Neodymium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:IAG) laser
Although the alexandrite laser is more effective and causes less pain, the Nd:IAG laser is safer for people with darker skin tones.
The Nd:IAG laser is also more effective in treating recurrent HS lesions in people with Hurley stage 1 and less advanced Hurley stage 2, two of the HS stages of severity that a person can experience. The Nd:IAG laser has also been shown to reduce the flares and severity of Hurley stage 1.
Laser hair removal is usually not recommended for more severe HS due to the severity of HS scarring.
If laser treatment is recommended for someone with more advanced HS Hurley stage 2 or Hurley stage 3, a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser is a safer option than laser hair removal. The CO2 laser surgically removes (removes the top layer of) the sinus tract.
For people without severe HS, laser hair removal is an effective and safe option for treating HS symptoms in people of all skin tones and hair colors.
In the past, laser hair removal treatments were only safe for people with dark hair and fair skin. New advances in laser technology have made the procedure safe for people with fair hair and fair skin and people with dark skin.
Dermatologists typically perform laser hair removal sessions for HS during an office visit once every six weeks for several months.
When you arrive for your appointment, your doctor will apply a numbing gel to the areas being treated. The gel will take about 30-60 minutes to take effect. You will then be given safety glasses to wear during the procedure.
Your dermatologist will hold the skin firmly and use a laser to treat the affected areas. The laser emits pulses that feel like warm pinpricks or rubber bands snapping against the skin.
Treatment time may vary depending on the number of areas being treated. A single area may take a few minutes, but multiple or large areas may take more than an hour.
Laser hair removal requires no downtime, which means you can get back to your daily activities right away. However, your skin may be irritated after the treatment. Your dermatologist will give you aftercare instructions to help with any potential irritation. This may include applying a cold compress at home to reduce redness and swelling, protecting the skin from the sun, and avoiding tanning beds.
Follow-up sessions are needed every six weeks for several months to achieve the desired results.
Although laser hair removal is a safe option for treating HS, there are some potential risks.
Common side effects include swelling, redness, and discomfort. Less common side effects include blisters, herpes simplex outbreaks (oral herpes), infections, scarring, and lightening or darkening of the skin. Rare side effects are much less likely if a qualified doctor, such as a dermatologist, administers the laser treatment.
In the past, there were greater safety concerns for people with dark skin and people with light hair and light skin, but trained providers know how to reduce safety risks in these populations.
It is important to find a qualified healthcare professional to minimize potential risks and side effects. States may differ in the requirements for who can perform laser hair removal. You should opt for someone with a medical background.
A dermatologist may be qualified and highly trained in laser hair removal for HS. If you have a particular provider in mind, check to see if they are licensed to practice in your state.
If you have insurance, they can also recommend providers. You can ask which dermatologists are in the network. However, insurance does not usually cover the cost of laser hair removal in the United States. Sessions can be $350-$900 each, depending on the area of the body and the amount of skin being treated for HS.
Laser hair removal can be useful and safe for treating HS symptoms. There are a number of other treatments for HS, including:
- Topical antibiotic: When applied to the skin, antibiotics such as Cleocin (clindamycin) can treat mild cases of HS. Medicines help treat infections and shrink lumps and pus-filled areas deep in the skin.
- Resinol (resorcinol) cream: This medication can open clogged hair follicles and reduce inflammation to reduce swollen, pus-filled areas, lumps, and pain. It may take about 3-4 months to see results.
- Hormone therapy: Hormonal therapies include oral (taken by mouth) contraceptives that contain estrogen and drugs such as Aldactone (spironolactone) or Proscar (finasteride). Although more research is needed, evidence suggests that hormones play an important role in the management of HS symptoms and that hormone therapy is an effective treatment.
- Oral antibiotic: When taken by mouth, antibiotics can reduce bacteria and inflammation, reducing the appearance of HS on the skin.
- Biological drugs or biosimilars: Biologics are strong drugs that target the immune system to reduce inflammation. They are effective in treating HS if other treatment options are not effective. Biosimilars are similar to biologics, but usually cost less.
Your healthcare provider may recommend laser hair removal along with one of the treatments listed above. They will discuss the best treatments based on your symptoms and Hurley stage.
Laser hair removal is a relatively safe and effective procedure for the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). It can help improve symptoms, including lesions and scars.
There are several laser hair removal techniques for milder HS, but laser hair removal may not be the best option for severe HS. In addition to the severity of HS, your symptoms, skin tone, and hair color can also dictate which laser therapy you receive.
It is important that laser hair removal treatment is performed by a qualified physician, such as a dermatologist, to prevent unwanted side effects.