Could it Happen to You? - Paradoxical Hypertrichosis
- Cheryl Whelan
- Jan 24
- 4 min read
When I first started looking into permanent hair removal for women with PCOS, I ran across a video of a lovely, young woman who was also dealing with the symptoms of PCOS. She stated in her video that she had been receiving electrolysis treatments for her chin hair for quite a while and had decided to try laser hair removal since you got results faster. After only a couple of sessions, things took a horrendous turn.
Suddenly, she wasn't dealing with a couple of small patches of course, black hairs; now she had a FULL BEARD! It went clear down her neck, almost to her collarbone. New growth! Thick, black, hair was everywhere now. When she questioned the laser technician, she was informed of something called 'Paradoxical Hypertrichosis', a condition caused by laser hair removal that has the opposite effect and can happen to virtually anyone, and she was one of them. She was devastated of course, and in tears, went on in her video to say that she would indeed be going back to electrolysis, only now she would have to go for much, much longer. She was only 19 years old.
Young woman staring blankly out a window on a dark and rainy day. Her face reflecting the gloom outside.
Could she have prevented this?
The only possible preventative measure is not getting laser hair removal in the first place, as that is the trigger. Some may think that this is a condition specific to women with PCOS, hirsutism, or some other hormonal issue, but that isn't always the case.
Though rare, it can happen to anyone.
It can also happen to men.
For women, it occurs most on the face, neck, and upper arms.
For men, it occurs most on the upper arms, shoulders, and back.
Learn more here - **Gender Disparities in Paradoxical Hypertrichosis After Laser Hair Removal https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12040530/
Could she have been tested first, to see if laser hair removal was a safe option?
The answer is no, not at this time. There is currently no known way to test or know for sure who will get it and who won't. It's a gamble to say the least, and if it does occur, it can be quite traumatizing for some. Since testing is not an option, I recommend that you really weigh the pros and cons before you begin treatments. Consult your doctor and see if you have any "high-risk" conditions first.
Could a professional have warned her?
Most definitely YES! This condition never has to be a surprise. Any professional who is worth their license would go out of their way to warn others and educate them of the possibilities, no matter how rare it is. Not to scare them, but to give them full transparency and disclosure. Many people who are seeking hair removal services of any kind already have some insecurities with their hair growth in the first place; to enhance that problem without making sure the client understands is not only unprofessional but careless. If a laser hair removal service is offered and being marketed specifically to high-risk clients, I would find a new service provider.
"But the client is supposed to read the waivers before signing them. That's their own responsibility!"
This is true, however, genuine care and compassion for each client's well-being, feelings, and needs are what make a professional worth coming to. They are trusting us with some very personal needs and desires, let's not break that trust. The client's well-being is far more important than any kind of sale. Every single time.
Reducing the risk - Key risk factors
While the ability to know for sure doesn't exist, there are things we can do. Knowing our own bodies and taking proactive steps with our healthcare providers can help reduce the risk.
Hormonal hair growth. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and a family history of Hirsutism significantly increase the risk. Other hormonal issues could potentially be an indicator, also.
Irregular menstrual cycles. Menstrual irregularities could be an indicator of hormonal imbalance. Check with your medical provider to rule out conditions like PCOS, Hirsutism, etc.
Know your skin type. Darker skin types, such as III-VI, are also more commonly affected.
Understand the statistics. Studies have shown that for regular people, the chances of PH range from 0.6% to 10% of all laser clients. With an average of about 3%. Chances of occurrence are also higher on the face and neck for women than on the body, while those areas are less likely for men. Women with PCOS have significantly higher risks, with one study showing an outcome of 33.3% compared to women without it.
Do your own research. I know that not everyone enjoys hours of searching and reading, but a few hours of research could save you a lot of time, money, and heartache in the long run.
Learn more here - Predictors and prevalence of paradoxical hypertrichosis in alexandrite laser-based facial hair removal: results from a prospective clinical study:
Life itself is a risk.
It really is. Everything we do has the potential to change our entire lives. Make sure to educate yourself. Don't skip something potentially good for you out of fear, and don't jump into something that could be bad for you because of what someone else said or experienced. We are all different and those differences deserve customized treatment plans. Embrace those differences, they are a large part of your beauty, inside and out!
If you can't be sure what steps to take, come into LovElectrology LLC in Twin Falls, ID. I would love to help you decide the next step in your hair removal journey. Not for my benefit, but for yours. No push, no pressure.
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