Will hypertrichosis after laser hair removal (Gentlemax Alex) treatment resolve with more treatments?

Question

I am half Lebanese- which I believe puts me at higher risk for hypertrichosis. I had 1 LHR treatment on my underarms & felt the hair had grown back denser but was unsure. Then I had 1 treatment on my groin/upper portion of pubic area. It has 100% grown back much denser than before, I can see a clear demarcation of where the treatment avoided. I want to continue bc I get bad folliculitis, but I don't want the hair to get worse. What is the protocol for this side effect?

Michael H. Gold, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question and sorry that you are having your concern after your laser hair removal procedure.  You have done some research, this is more common in Middle Eastern women and we are sorry that we don’t know why this occurs.  I have been involved in LHR for many years and have worked with many laser companies as new machines have been developed but we still have a lack of understanding for paradoxical hypertrichosis.  What we do know is that laser hair removal is the treatment and more treatments over time should help in most instances. Make sure the person who is doing this is well trained – your skin tone will be somewhat darker and we do not want them to burn your skin – just take care of the hair. Good luck.

Monika Soni, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. More hair with Laser Hair Removal is called parodoxical hypertrichosis and is a rare reaction to treatment for laser hair removal. This extra hair growth will apparently remain unless treated. In my experience it seems that stronger treatments are required to reverse the extra hair growth. An experienced laser hair surgeon is required because as you increase the intensity the risk of discoloration or other side effect increases Best of luck!

Will hypertrichosis after laser hair removal (Gentlemax Alex) treatment resolve with more treatments?

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Will hypertrichosis after laser hair removal (Gentlemax Alex) treatment resolve with more treatments?

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Everything you need to know about Laser Hair Removal

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.