Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that affects women between the ages of around 15 to 50. It is a common condition that affects around 1 in 10 women in the UK, but not all women experience symptoms. However, unfortunately it does cause painful and debilitating problems for many women.
What is PCOS?
PCOS is a condition that affects the ovaries. Polycystic ovaries contain follicles which are underdeveloped sacs, which in many cases do not release an egg. It is not sure what the exact causes are, but it’s linked to high levels of insulin in the body, which in turn causes increased production of other hormones such as testosterone.
What are the symptoms of PCOS?
PCOS symptoms usually develop by the early twenties. One of the main signs is absent or irregular periods, excessive hair growth on the face and body, weight gain, thinning hair, and acne. Some women may also notice dark patches developing on their skin.
How can PCOS be treated?
The condition cannot be cured, but the symptoms can be managed. Doctors may advise patients to alter their lifestyles, and lose weight if they are overweight. They may also prescribe hormone pills or patches to regulate the hormone balance.
Unwanted hair growth on the body and face can be tackled by laser hair removal treatments. This is a method of using concentrated light technology to vaporise the hair in the follicles. It can be carried out by a trained practitioner at a skin clinic.
The technique works best on people with dark hair, Redheads and blondes, or those with grey hair, are generally not suitable because they don’t have enough melanin pigment to attract the laser. For suitable candidates, it’s a safe and non-invasive method of removing unwanted hair growth.
To reduce the acne that sometimes accompanies the condition, therapists recommend a course of Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment. This works by directly targeting the sebaceous glands, which are responsible for producing the excess oil in the skin. The inflammation levels are reduced, and the skin appears clearer.
It is a very quick procedure with only a very minimal level of discomfort. Afterwards the skin may tingle for a while, and it may appear reddened for a couple of hours. A calming gel can be applied to help cool and sooth the skin after treatment. A series of six 30-minute sessions is recommended for best results.
If you are interested in treatments for the acne and unwanted hair that can be caused by PCOS, always look for certified practitioner, so than you know they are qualified and safe. A good therapist will make a pre-appointment consultation to assess whether the procedure is suitable for your skin type.
Many women find that their self-esteem and confidence is boosted by tackling excess body hair and acne, and the time and investment is well worth the reward of feeling happy and comfortable with their appearance.
If you are looking for laser treatment in Essex, talk to us today.
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