Living with hidradenitis suppurativa means dealing with painful, recurring abscesses that disrupt your life. The constant flare-ups, drainage, and scarring make even simple activities difficult.
You’ve probably tried antibiotics, steroid injections, and various topical treatments. Some help temporarily, but flare-ups keep returning. The cycle never seems to end.
What if I told you that removing hair follicles in affected areas could significantly reduce your HS flare-ups?
Laser hair removal isn’t a cure for hidradenitis suppurativa. But growing research and patient outcomes show it can dramatically decrease flare frequency and severity.
Let me explain how and why this works.
Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory skin condition affecting areas where hair follicles and apocrine sweat glands are present. Most commonly, this includes underarms, groin, inner thighs, and buttocks.
While the exact cause of HS remains unclear, we know hair follicles play a central role in triggering flares. When follicles become blocked or inflamed, the surrounding tissue responds with severe inflammation.
This creates the painful nodules, abscesses, and tunneling lesions characteristic of HS. The cycle continues because hair keeps growing from those same problematic follicles.
Hair follicles in HS-prone areas become easily occluded. Dead skin cells, bacteria, and sebum block the follicle opening.
This blockage prevents normal drainage and creates pressure buildup. The blocked follicle ruptures beneath your skin rather than draining outward.
Your immune system responds aggressively to this rupture. Intense inflammation develops creating the painful lumps and abscesses you experience.
Removing the hair follicles eliminates one of the primary triggers for this inflammatory cascade. No follicle means no blockage, no rupture, and significantly reduced inflammation.
Antibiotics treat bacterial infections but don’t address follicle blockage. Inflammation often returns once antibiotics stop.
Biologic medications like Humira reduce overall immune response. These help many patients but don’t eliminate the follicle trigger itself.
Surgical excision removes affected tissue but doesn’t prevent new follicles from developing problems. Recurrence rates after surgery remain high.
Laser hair removal takes a different approach by removing the follicles before they can trigger inflammation. This preventive strategy reduces flares rather than just treating them after they occur.
Multiple medical studies have examined laser hair removal as HS treatment. The results consistently show significant improvement in flare frequency and severity.
A 2019 study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that laser hair removal reduced HS lesion counts by 43% on average. Patients reported fewer painful flares and improved quality of life.
Research in Dermatologic Surgery showed that Nd:YAG laser treatment specifically helped HS patients. The longer wavelength safely treats skin of all tones while effectively disabling follicles.
While more research is needed, existing evidence strongly supports laser hair removal as an effective adjunct HS treatment. Many dermatologists now recommend it for their HS patients.
Beyond clinical studies, patient reports consistently describe dramatic improvement:
Fewer flare-ups: Many patients go from weekly or monthly flares to rare occasional ones.
Less severe inflammation: When flares do occur, they’re typically smaller and less painful.
Reduced drainage: Fewer active lesions mean less chronic drainage and odor.
Better hygiene: Removing hair makes affected areas easier to keep clean.
Improved confidence: Reduced symptoms allow normal social and intimate activities.
These improvements develop progressively over the laser treatment series. Most patients notice changes after 3 to 4 sessions.
The laser targets melanin pigment in your hair shaft. Energy travels down to the follicle and damages its blood supply.
Without adequate blood flow, the follicle can’t produce new hair. This prevents the blockage and inflammation cycle from starting.
Treatment requires multiple sessions because hair grows in cycles. Each session catches different follicles during their active growth phase.
Sessions take 20 to 45 minutes depending on treatment area size. Your licensed medical provider applies systematic laser pulses across entire zones.
HS-affected skin may be tender or have active lesions. Your provider adjusts technique to work safely around sensitive areas.
Most patients tolerate treatment well despite skin sensitivity. The discomfort is brief and manageable compared to HS pain.
After your first session, treated hair sheds over 2 to 3 weeks. During this time, you may notice fewer new bumps forming.
Each subsequent session treats more follicles and reduces overall hair density. As follicles are eliminated, inflammation decreases progressively.
Most HS patients need 7 to 10 laser sessions for optimal follicle reduction. This is more than standard hair removal due to the importance of thorough treatment.
By completion, 80 to 90% of follicles in treated areas are permanently disabled. This dramatic reduction corresponds with significantly fewer HS flares.
Underarm HS causes some of the most painful and frequent flares. The combination of friction, sweat, and hair creates constant problems.
Laser hair removal of underarms often provides dramatic relief. Many patients report this as their most beneficial treated area.
Smooth underarms are easier to keep clean and dry. Reduced friction means less irritation triggering new inflammation.
Groin HS affects quality of life significantly. Walking, sitting, and intimate activities become painful during flares.
Removing hair from groin and inner thigh areas reduces friction and improves hygiene. Many patients see substantial improvement in this region.
The combination of hair removal and reduced inflammation often allows these areas to heal for the first time in years.
Buttock HS creates particularly difficult management challenges. Constant sitting pressure worsens inflammation.
Laser treatment of this area requires experienced providers and patient positioning. Results can be life-changing for patients with buttock involvement.
Reduced hair means better hygiene and less friction. Flares become less frequent and severe.
Some women develop HS in the under-breast fold where skin rubs together. Heat and moisture create ideal conditions for flares.
Removing hair from this area improves ventilation and reduces friction. Many women report significant improvement.
Laser hair removal reduces one major HS trigger but doesn’t cure the condition. The underlying immune dysfunction remains.
However, reducing follicle-triggered inflammation can dramatically improve your quality of life. Many patients reduce their need for other treatments.
Combining laser with your dermatologist’s prescribed medications often works best. The treatments complement each other for better overall control.
You can receive laser treatment even with some active lesions present. Your provider works around open wounds and actively draining areas.
Some patients worry treatment will worsen active flares. In practice, most people tolerate treatment well and see improvement.
Timing sessions between major flares when possible makes treatment more comfortable. But don’t delay starting because of occasional active lesions.
HS affects people of all ethnicities but is more common in Black and Hispanic populations. Fortunately, modern Nd:YAG lasers safely treat all skin tones.
The 1064nm wavelength used for darker skin penetrates deeply without affecting surface melanin. This allows safe, effective treatment for melanin-rich skin.
Conservative energy settings protect your skin while still permanently disabling follicles. Results develop progressively with proper protocols.
Most HS patients see significant improvement but not complete resolution. Flares become less frequent and severe rather than stopping entirely.
Some patients achieve near-complete remission in treated areas. Others see 50 to 70% reduction in symptoms.
Any improvement represents meaningful quality of life enhancement. Going from weekly flares to monthly or occasional ones makes enormous difference.
Laser hair removal works best as part of comprehensive HS management. Continue working with your dermatologist while adding laser treatment.
Keep taking prescribed antibiotics, biologics, or other medications. Laser complements these treatments rather than replacing them.
Some patients eventually reduce medication needs as laser reduces flare frequency. Discuss any changes with your dermatologist.
Good hygiene becomes easier once hair is removed. Gentle antibacterial washes work better on smooth skin.
Keep affected areas clean and dry between laser sessions. This prevents infections and supports optimal results.
Excess weight increases skin friction and HS severity. Weight loss often improves symptoms significantly.
Combining weight management with laser hair removal provides comprehensive approach. Both address different HS triggers.
Smoking worsens HS inflammation and slows healing. Quitting smoking improves outcomes dramatically.
If you smoke, consider cessation support before or during laser treatment. The combination maximizes your improvement potential.
During your first 3 to 4 laser sessions, you’re building progressive follicle reduction. Early improvement varies among patients.
Some people notice fewer flares almost immediately. Others see gradual improvement over several months.
Continue your regular HS treatments during this phase. Laser’s effects accumulate over time.
Most HS patients see noticeable improvement by mid-treatment. Flares become less frequent and resolve faster.
Skin in treated areas often looks better with reduced scarring and pigmentation. Chronic drainage decreases significantly.
Many patients feel encouraged to continue treatment seeing real results. The investment is paying off.
After completing 7 to 10 sessions, you’ve achieved maximum follicle reduction. Benefits typically plateau around this point.
Some patients need occasional touch-up sessions for new follicle activation. Hormonal changes can trigger previously dormant follicles.
Long-term maintenance keeps HS controlled in treated areas. Annual or bi-annual touch-ups maintain your results.
Laser hair removal for HS represents significant investment. However, compare this to your lifetime HS medical costs.
Frequent doctor visits, prescription medications, emergency treatments, and lost work time all add up. Many HS patients spend thousands annually managing their condition.
If laser reduces your need for other treatments by even 50%, it pays for itself within years. The quality of life improvement adds immeasurable value.
Some insurance plans cover laser hair removal when medically necessary for HS. Requirements vary significantly among insurers.
Ask your dermatologist for medical necessity documentation. Submit this with claims for potential coverage.
Even without insurance coverage, financing options make treatment accessible. Monthly payment plans allow manageable budgeting.
HS laser treatment requires experienced medical providers familiar with inflammatory skin conditions. Not all laser clinics have this expertise.
Look for providers who:
Use Nd:YAG technology – Essential for safe treatment of all skin tones.
Have medical oversight – Physician supervision ensures appropriate protocols.
Understand HS – Provider should know the condition and treatment goals.
Offer consultations – Discuss your specific case before committing to treatment.
At InjectCo, our licensed RN providers work under physician supervision. We’ve treated numerous HS patients with excellent outcomes.
Hidradenitis suppurativa doesn’t have to control your life. While there’s no cure, laser hair removal offers real hope for significant improvement.
Reducing flare frequency and severity changes everything. Less pain, less drainage, less embarrassment, and more normal life.
Book a free consultation at any InjectCo Texas location. We’ll examine your HS, discuss realistic expectations, and create your treatment plan.
Our providers understand HS and treat you with respect and compassion. You’re not alone in this journey.
Call (817) 533-7676 or book online. We’re ready to help you reduce HS flares and reclaim your quality of life.
