Facial hirsutism in women impairs quality of life (QoL). Laser hair removal (LHR) has been shown to confer significant improvements in QoL up to six-month post treatment. Longer-term benefits have not been investigated. Around 75% of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) suffer from hirsutism. Many studies have qualitatively and quantitatively demonstrated that facial hirsutism can significantly impair womenââ¬â¢s quality of life (QoL), both emotionally (e.g negative impact on their female identity) and functionally (in that it directly impacts womenââ¬â¢s behaviour and activities in her daily life). Laser hair removal (LHR) treatment has demonstrated longer-lasting effects than other forms of hair removal (for example, on number of days per week spent removing hair). Three small UK studies (including one randomized controlled trial)one Canadian and one Iranian study have shown that LHR significantly improves QoL in hirsute women up to six months after a course of treatment. LHR has some long-lasting functional benefits to the QoL of hirsute women up to 30-months post-LHR. However, emotional benefits are less sustainable. To sustain QoL further LHR treatment should be considered at 6-12 months post-LHR. Laser Treatment for Female Facial Hirsutism: Are Quality-of-Life Benefits Sustainable?: Alexandra Roche, Philip Michael Sedgwick and Christopher Charles Harland
Last date updated on September, 2024