Stimulated Hair Growth

Stimulated Hair Growth Clinic

Also known as Paradoxical Hypertrichosis, stimulated hair growth is a side effect from laser, IPL, electrolysis and microneedling treatments. This is where the low level heat from the treatment stimulates the vellus – ‘peach fuzz’ hair to gain a stronger blood supply, transitioning to a terminal hair- which is thicker and darker in colour. 

Why Paradoxical Hypertrichosis has become more prevalent?

We love lasers here at Pulse Light Clinic, 99.99% of the time the outcomes are fantastic, but unfortunately, in certain circumstances stimulated hair can occur. Keep in mind that this is not a common outcome, however, with the increase in the number of clinics, more people than ever before are undergoing laser in the UK. 

The introduction of low level lasers, continuation of IPL for hair removal, and large clinics with standard low level protocols for lasers have resulted in an increase in cases. Preventing clients from having a tailored treatment and settings. The results of which we have been monitoring and most definitely are under-reported within the aesthetics industry. Using low levels of heat induces new hair growth in high risk clients, which is why at Pulse Light Clinic we check every treatment area, and ascertain the hair type and skin type as it varies throughout the body. The lasers should be set to appropriate protocols which will kill the thicker troublesome hairs and ignore the finer vellus hair, leaving great results.

Over the last 5 years at Pulse Light Clinic we have conducted research and development into stimulated hair growth caused by lasers – and with this, how to fix it. Since the popularity in lasers has grown we have had more and more clients coming to the clinic both knowing or completely unaware that the sessions they have received elsewhere have actually triggered more hair growth as opposed to killing it.

Who is more prone to having Stimulated Hair?

• Women with Middle Eastern or Mediterranean background
• Women with PCOS or hormone imbalances
• Clients wanting very fine hair removed with laser 
• Men with high levels of DHT that treat finer hair
• Clients on medications such as corticosteroids
• Those treating sparse hairs on a hormonal area such as the chin

Signs of stimulation

If your hair is growing back darker and thicker than when you started your laser course you may have stimulated growth. Keep in mind that our hormones are changing, at certain points in our life our hair will also change. Many women develop facial hair on the chin after menopause, and women taking the pill or developing PCOS will also produce more hair unexpectedly. These causes should be ruled out first. 

What we know 

Through our research we have ascertained which clients, areas of the body, lasers and settings are more at risk of causing stimulated hair growth. This in itself greatly reduces the amount of cases we have as a clinic. 

For those more at risk or that come to us with stimulated hair growth from other clinics, we have developed a successful stimulated hair growth programme which began in 2019.

Should you feel you have stimulated hair growth, please book a free consultation and one of our specialists will assess your hair and explain how our stimulated hair packages can help you.

Can I still have laser hair removal if I’m a high risk client for stimulation?

Absolutely! As a clinic we have had thousands of happy clients with PCOS or high risk of stimulation with excellent results. The key to successful treatment is a thorough assessment of your skin and hair at the consultation. If an area is at high risk of stimulation for example – fine hair on a womens back – we would not advise treatment. We will create a tailored plan of the suitable areas of your body to treat, apply our personalised protocols and monitor your hair at each session. If you fall within the high risk category for stimulation, and treatment is undertaken, protocols will be applied, such as:

• Ice packs or a cryocooler to take the heat from the skin rapidly for 10/15+ minutes before and after lasering the area
• High power settings- reduces chance of stimulating vellus hair in to thicker hairs
• Longer pulses from the laser- delivers the heat more slowly in to the skin for better absorption
• Multi laser approach – mixing different wavelengths for more effect on a variety of hairs in  a shorter time frame
• Shorter treatment intervals – for examples 1-2 weeks on the face to catch each growth cycle- laser kills hairs in the Anagen growth phase

Electrolysis is an option

Although there is still a small risk of Paradoxical Hypertrichosis with electrolysis, the needle penetrates the follicle, targeting the unwanted hair specifically. Therefore there is possibly less chance of heat spreading, (so long as there is substantial cooling before and after treatment). This would be ideal if you only have a handful of darker hairs in an area mostly consisting of vellus hair – such as the chin or the chest.

It has been studied and highlighted that the continuation of laser hair removal, using the appropriate protocols, is the best option for stimulated hair growth clients to reduce the growth of the stimulated hair permanently. Although there might be a small reduction over time if left.

If you would like more information on our stimulated hair programme, book a free consultation at one of our 5 clinics today. Feel assured that our experts in laser hair removal at our London and Manchester clinics will assess, advise and treat you appropriately for the best laser hair removal results!