Ingrown hair scars on stomach - how to remove? (photo)

Question

I have PCOS, and it gave me really bad ingrown and thick hairs that grow on my happy trail. I would pick them to get the hair out, and has left horrible scars. I really just want a clear beautiful tummy, I have a fibroblast treatment to help with the stretch marks but desperate need of help regarding my happy real, please help.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Fractional laser is an amazing and highly effective treatment in our office. We use the laser treatment to help with acne scars, large pores, fine wrinkles, tissue collagen loss, scars, sebaceous hyperplasia, active acne, and for brightening dark pigmentation. Although there are very strong fractional lasers such as CO2 laser, we use lighter treatments for corrective skincare and maintenance of results. Our Thulium fractional laser, clear and brilliant laser, and Ultra Thulium laser are excellent options in our clinic. We also perform CO2 fractional and erbium depending on skin tone and tolerance for downtime. Patients do have to use a Melarase cream before and after treatment to help further reduce pigmentation after laser. Dark spots can improve with these treatments. I recommend fractional laser for incisional scars as well, especially after plastic surgery.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Danielle Shanley, MD · Answer

The reason that laser is so good for ingrowns is because it kills the actual hair shaft, so there’s no chance the hair can start to grow up and then coil under, which is what an ingrown hair is.  It is a great treatment to help get the ingrowns under control.  Laser hair removal will also help with the reduction of hair growth and you would not have to shave too often.  Definitely the best option to try!

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Yes, you can have laser hair removal. Diode, alexandrite and yag lasers work best. It will take a series of treatments to get improvement. Please see an expert for an evaluation. Best, Dr. Emer.

Leslie Pickens, MD · Answer

Excessive hair due to PCOS can be a challenge to control.  Laser hair removal is the best treatment with shaving between sessions is recommended.   PRP is great for wound healing delivered by injections or microneedling.