PCOS, Pregnancy and Laser Hair Removal: Why Hormonal Hair Growth Needs More Support

Laser hair removal is often sold as a simple fix. Book a course. Finish your sessions. Stay smooth.

But if you have PCOS, thyroid changes, pregnancy related hormone shifts, or post pregnancy regrowth, hair removal can feel much more complicated.

One area may improve, then another area starts growing. Facial hair may reduce, then return months later. Body hair may respond well, but the chin or upper lip may need more support. For many women, this is not just about hair. It affects how they feel getting ready, going out, being seen up close, or even leaving the house without checking their face first.

At Laser Me Out, we do not treat hormonal hair growth like a normal hair removal concern. Because it is not normal hair growth.

Hormonal hair needs a more honest plan, better technology and support that does not make clients feel like they have failed when their body changes.

Why Shireen started Laser Me Out

Laser Me Out was not built from a business idea first. It came from lived experience.

Our founder, Shireen Forster, was diagnosed with PCOS at 17. Like many women with PCOS, she dealt with excessive hair growth and the emotional stress that came with it.

Before starting Laser Me Out, Shireen spent more than £7,000 across five different clinics trying to find something that worked for her. Some treatments were painful. Some results did not last. Some clinics did not understand how hormonal hair behaves. And some machines were not right for all skin tones or hair types.

That experience shaped Laser Me Out.

Shireen wanted a clinic where clients with PCOS, hormonal hair growth and darker skin tones could feel properly heard. Not rushed. Not judged. Not told that one standard package would fix everything. Her story was recently featured in GHP News, covering how PCOS, pregnancy and post pregnancy changes helped shape the way Laser Me Out supports clients today.

What makes PCOS hair growth different?

PCOS, also known as polycystic ovary syndrome, can affect periods, skin, fertility, weight and hair growth. According to the NHS PCOS guide, excess hair growth, also called hirsutism, is one of the common symptoms of PCOS.

This hair is often thicker, darker and more stubborn. It can appear on areas such as the face, chin, upper lip, chest, stomach, back or buttocks.

The NHS hirsutism guide explains hirsutism as thick, dark hair growth in areas where women may not usually expect it. For PCOS clients, this growth is often driven by hormones. That means the hair you see today may not be the only concern. New follicles can become active over time, especially on the face.

This is why PCOS hair can feel so frustrating.

You can shave in the morning and feel stubble by evening. You can pluck one area and find more hairs the next week. You can start laser and see good reduction, then worry when new hair appears later.

That does not always mean laser has failed. It often means hormones are still active.

Does laser hair removal work for PCOS?

Yes, laser hair removal can work very well for PCOS related hair growth, especially when the hair is dark and coarse. Laser works by targeting the hair follicle with light energy. Over a course of sessions, this helps reduce future growth. But PCOS clients often need a different level of support compared with clients who do not have hormonal hair growth.

A standard course may be enough for many body areas, but PCOS hair, especially facial hair, can need more sessions and maintenance. Our own Laser Me Out guide on how many laser sessions you need for PCOS explains why hormonal hair does not always follow the standard 6 session model.

This is the part many people are not told clearly enough.

Laser can reduce the hair that is active and suitable for treatment. But it cannot cure PCOS. It cannot stop your hormones from changing. It cannot promise that no new hair will ever appear. What it can do is reduce visible hair growth, make shaving easier, help with ingrown hairs and support smoother skin over time.

That is why the right clinic matters.

Why pregnancy can change your laser results

Pregnancy can change hair growth because your hormones change.

Some women notice thicker hair. Some notice new growth on the face, stomach or chest. Some feel like old hair has returned in areas that had previously responded well to laser.

This can feel upsetting, especially if you have already invested time and money into treatment. But pregnancy related regrowth does not mean your previous laser sessions were pointless. It usually means your body has gone through a major hormonal change.

At Laser Me Out, we do not carry out laser hair removal during pregnancy. This is because there is not enough safety data for cosmetic laser treatment during pregnancy, so we take the safer approach and advise clients to pause.

You can read more in our full guide: Is Laser Hair Removal Safe During Pregnancy? If a client becomes pregnant during a course, Laser Me Out extends the validity of their treatment package by an extra 24 months at no extra cost. This gives clients time to pause, have their baby, recover and return when suitable.

No pressure. No wasted sessions. No rush.

Why hormonal hair needs a flexible plan

Hormonal hair does not always behave neatly.

A client may start with chin hair, then later need support for the upper lip. Another client may treat the stomach, then notice chest hair after pregnancy. Some clients respond well across the body but need ongoing maintenance on the face.

This is why rigid packages do not always work well for hormonal hair.

At Laser Me Out, treatment plans are based on your skin, hair, medical history, hormones and the areas that bother you most.

Depending on your needs, you may be advised on:

• A focused area course
• Full body laser hair removal
• Full face and body options
• Pick and Mix style treatment choices
• Maintenance sessions
• PCOS membership support
• A pause if you become pregnant
• A reassessment if your hair growth changes

You can also read our blog on why laser hair removal may not be working if you have had poor results elsewhere or feel unsure about your current progress.

The PCOS membership at Laser Me Out

Laser Me Out created its PCOS membership because standard packages do not always reflect how PCOS hair works.

PCOS clients can need more regular support. They may need treatment across different areas. They may need maintenance after a course. They may also need reassurance when hair growth changes. The PCOS membership was created to make ongoing treatment easier to manage, with unlimited sessions, community support and monthly goody bags.

It is not about promising a cure. It is about giving PCOS clients a more realistic and supportive option. For many women, this kind of support matters because PCOS hair is not only physical. It can affect your routine, confidence, relationships, social life and how comfortable you feel in your skin.

To ask about the PCOS membership, speak to the Laser Me Out team through the Laser Me Out website or email hello@lasermeout.com.

Why Soprano Titanium matters

Technology matters, especially for hormonal hair and darker skin tones.

Laser Me Out uses Soprano Titanium, a professional laser system that combines three wavelengths in one device. This allows the laser to target different depths of the follicle while keeping treatment more comfortable through built in cooling.

This is important because not every skin tone should be treated the same way. Darker skin tones, South Asian skin, Middle Eastern skin and melanin rich skin need careful settings and experienced therapists.

Hormonal hair also needs proper assessment. The face, chin, upper lip, chest and stomach can behave differently from areas like legs or underarms.

A proper consultation should check:

• Your skin tone
• Hair colour and thickness
• Hormonal conditions such as PCOS
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding status
• Medication
• Skin conditions
• Recent sun exposure
• Fake tan use
• Previous laser experience
• Current hair removal routine

This is how we keep treatment safe, realistic and focused on your actual needs.

London and Birmingham laser hair removal with the same standard of care

Laser Me Out started in London and has now expanded to Birmingham.

Our Birmingham clinic opened on Hagley Road, bringing the same Soprano Titanium technology and Laser Me Out approach to the Midlands. You can read more about it here: Laser Me Out is now open in Birmingham, We also have a full Birmingham location guide here: Laser Hair Removal Birmingham on Hagley Road

Whether you visit us in London or Birmingham, the approach is the same: We assess first. We patch test first. We explain what is realistic. We build the plan around your skin, your hair and your situation. Please note that consultation and patch test pricing can vary by clinic, offer and location. London consultation and patch test should not be assumed to be free unless a specific offer states this clearly.

What to expect at your consultation and patch test

Your consultation is where we check if laser is suitable for you.

For hormonal hair growth, we may ask about:

• When the hair started
• Whether you have PCOS, thyroid concerns or other hormonal changes
• Whether you are pregnant, trying to conceive or post pregnancy
• Which areas bother you most
• How often you shave, pluck, wax or thread
• Whether the hair is dark, coarse, fine or mixed
• Whether you have had laser before
• Any medication or medical history

For your consultation, please do not remove the hair unless the team tells you to. We need to see the hair properly so we can assess it.

For treatment days, the area usually needs to be shaved beforehand.

When should you start laser for PCOS or hormonal hair?

You can start laser when you are suitable, your skin is safe to treat and the hair is dark enough for laser to target.

You may be a good candidate if:

• The hair is dark and visible
• You are shaving regularly
• You are getting ingrown hairs or irritation
• You are tired of waxing, threading or plucking
• You have PCOS related facial or body hair
• You want a long term reduction plan
• You understand that hormonal hair may need maintenance

Laser is not right for every hair type. Blonde, white, grey and very fine hair may not respond well because laser needs pigment in the hair to target it.

This is why your consultation matters.

The honest answer: can hormonal hair come back?

Yes, hormonal hair can come back or new hair can appear.

That is the honest answer.

But that does not mean laser is not worth it.

For many PCOS and hormonal hair clients, laser makes a major difference. It can reduce thick hair, slow growth, make shaving easier, reduce the constant upkeep and help the skin feel calmer.

It is not about promising perfect forever results.

It is about giving you a better, safer and more realistic way to manage hair growth with a team that understands why it is happening.

If you are dealing with PCOS hair, pregnancy related regrowth, post pregnancy changes, thyroid changes, or stubborn facial hair, you are not being dramatic. You are not alone. And you do not have to figure it out by yourself.

Laser Me Out was built for clients who need more than a basic laser package.

Book your consultation and patch test through the Laser Me Out website or contact the team at hello@lasermeout.com.

FAQs

Can I have laser hair removal if I have PCOS?

Yes, many PCOS clients can have laser hair removal. Suitability depends on your skin tone, hair colour, medication, medical history and patch test result.

Will laser hair removal cure PCOS hair growth?

No. Laser hair removal does not cure PCOS. It can reduce suitable hair over time, but hormonal hair may need more sessions and maintenance.

How many sessions do PCOS clients need?

Many PCOS clients need more than a standard course, especially for facial hair. Some may need 8 to 12 sessions plus maintenance, depending on the area and how the hair responds.

Can pregnancy make hair grow back after laser?

Pregnancy can trigger new or returning hair growth because hormones change. This does not mean your laser has failed. It means your body has changed.

Can I have laser while pregnant?

At Laser Me Out, we advise pausing laser hair removal during pregnancy because there is not enough safety data for cosmetic laser treatment during pregnancy.

What happens if I become pregnant during my course?

Laser Me Out extends the validity of your treatment package by an extra 24 months at no extra cost if you become pregnant during your course.

Is laser suitable for darker skin tones?

Laser can be suitable for darker skin tones when the right technology, settings and therapist experience are used. Laser Me Out uses Soprano Titanium and always starts with a consultation and patch test.

Do I need to shave before my consultation?

Usually, no. For the consultation, we need to assess the hair. For actual treatment days, the area usually needs to be shaved beforehand.