Does hair grow back if you are in birth control?

Question

I have had 2 sessions of laser hair removal in my under arms and sideburns. I have been thinking about getting on birth control. Does birth control have any side affects or is it not good to be in birth control while having last hair removal done? I have heard after getting of birth control all your hair grows back? Is this true? Thank you!

Jeff Angobaldo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Permanent hair Reduction will get rid of 90 percent or more of hair. However hormone fluctuations that occur thru out your life can cause some follicles to spark new hair growth. It rarely comes back like it was before and may just need a treatment or two in order to stop the growth. Consult with a Board Certified Plastic surgeon for a throughout explanation on what to expect.

Harold J. Kaplan, MD · Answer

Hi Maritza.  When laser hair removal is done correctly, you should achieve a 75% - 95% reduction in the amount of coarse, dark hair.  This reduction is permanent.  The issue of women and hormonal changes is an appropriate one to discuss in the context of future laser hair removal but only from the following perspective.  Hormonal changes do not cause new hair to grow, but they do cause very fine and light hair to become coarser and darker.  Because fine, light hair is not appropriate for laser hair removal and because this same fine light hair can become darker and coarser in the future with hormonal changes, you may need laser hair removal at more than one point in your lifetime. Laser hair removal does not have one time that's better than another based on pregnancies, birth control or other hormonal changes, so if it bothers you today, then it's a good time to start.  For an example of a Huntington Beach, CA patient with hormonal hair growth on the chin before and after our laser hair removal program, click on the link below.

Pablo Prichard, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. The hair removed by the treatments is permanently gone, however if you have hormone changes in your body it can stimulate a dormant hair cycle which would appear as new hair growth. Unfortunately this is unavoidable but does not always happen. As you have only had 2 treatments I would recommend starting your birth control now and then continuing your hair treatments to remove any remaining or new growth. Consult with your doctor and provider about these concerns. Best Wishes,Pablo Prichard, MD

Mark A. Blair, MD · Answer

Great question.  Laser hair "reduction" is called that simply for the reason that all hair for a life time can not be guaranteed to never come back.  Birth control which contains lots of hormones can cause hair growth, as well as hormonal changes due to menopause.  Hormones play a big part in hair growth. Pregnancy can often cause hair regrowth.  As we age, our hormones change and laser hair reduction touch ups may be necessary.

Does hair grow back if you are in birth control?

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Answer: Does hair grow back after birth control?

Answer: Does hair grow back after birth control?

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Does hair grow back if you are in birth control?

Answers (4)

Answer: Does hair grow back after birth control?

Answer: Does hair grow back after birth control?

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Everything you need to know about Laser Hair Removal

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