My Experience with Unwanted Hair Growth and PCOS: Exploring Threading, Waxing, Laser, and Electrolysis

First Signs of Unwanted Hair Growth: My Experience with PCOS

Writing this blog has been challenging because it touches on one of the most difficult experiences I've faced as a woman: dealing with unwanted facial hair due to PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). I’ve rewritten this opening countless times, wanting to share not just facts but also a story that’s hopefully helpful for other women who may be going through this too. While I don’t have a simple, miracle cure, I hope my experience will provide support, comfort, and maybe even some answers for those looking for their own path forward.

Let’s begin.

I first noticed the hair growth as a small clump of three or four hairs just below the corner of my mouth on the right-hand side of my face. At first, I didn’t think much of it. I knew women who would pluck the occasional facial hair without a second thought, so that’s exactly what I did. I plucked them and went on with my day.

But the next time, the hairs came back with a few more companions. I plucked them again, but each time they returned, they seemed to multiply. The texture changed too—what had once been light and soft hairs were now coarse, dark, and beard-like. I was already in a long-term relationship with my now-husband, and I kept the hair growth hidden from him as long as I could.

I was deeply ashamed. It became a routine—I’d visit the salon regularly to get the patch of hair threaded or waxed, so I could have a few days of peace. Eventually, the hair growth wasn’t just a few hairs here and there. A larger patch formed under my chin, and I couldn’t keep up with it anymore. I scheduled a waxing appointment at my local salon before visiting my mother because I didn’t want to worry about the hair while traveling.

That’s where things took a turn.

Threading Setbacks

After returning home from my trip, I visited my usual threading salon. Unfortunately, my regular technician wasn’t available anymore, so I saw someone new. She was kind and tried to help, but she gave me some misinformation. One of the myths I learned the hard way is that threading does not magically cause the hair to grow back lighter and does, in fact, affect the hair growth pattern—much like shaving. Initially, threading weakens the hair follicle, causing the hair to grow back thinner and lighter. However, over time, much like a callus, the hair grows back coarser and rougher.

Photographer: beauty43

Threading was becoming another source of frustration for me. Not only did I have to let the hairs grow long enough to be threaded, but I also had to deal with the emotional toll of constantly seeing the hair reappear. I felt like I couldn’t escape the cycle. Then, I started to badly break out in the areas where I was getting threaded. I now realize this was likely due to the hygiene practices of the technician. She used the same special waxed thread on everyone she threaded, rather than a sterile thread.

Turning to Google and Searching for Solutions

Desperate for answers, I did what most of us do: I turned to Google. I scoured the internet for any kind of permanent solution or at least something that would make me feel more in control. That’s when I started reading more about PCOS and how it can cause excessive hair growth. The information was overwhelming, but it gave me a sense of direction.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that can lead to excessive hair growth, a condition known as hirsutism. This occurs because PCOS causes an imbalance in hormones, specifically an increase in androgens, which are male hormones present in women. Elevated levels of androgens can trigger the growth of thicker, darker hair in areas typically associated with male hair patterns, such as the face, chest, and back. This hormonal imbalance disrupts the natural hair growth cycle, leading to persistent or increased hair growth over time.

It was clear I needed a new approach. Waxing and threading weren’t going to solve this for me, and I needed to face the reality that this was a long-term issue. That realization hurt, but it was also empowering in a strange way. At least now I knew what I was up against.

Over the past decade, research on PCOS has expanded, providing more insights into what PCOS truly is. The most helpful resource I've found is PCOS Repair Protocol: The Complete Manual To Thriving With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome By Uncovering The Root Cause Of Your Symptoms by Tamika Woods. You can find it on Amazon [here], along with a link to the supplement she recommends [here]. Please note, I am not making any money from sharing these products; I am simply sharing them because I’ve personally found them beneficial.

Starting Over: My Journey with PCOS

I’ve wanted to write about my experience with PCOS and the parts of my life it has touched—parts that have left lasting scars. For some women, PCOS symptoms are milder; for others, they are more severe. Everyone’s case is different. You can have different symptoms, and they can be managed depending on your body’s needs. I’m not a doctor; I’m just a woman who has lived through this and wants to share my journey.

For me, PCOS has been a long road of trial and error. I’ve gone from feeling completely overwhelmed by my body’s changes to gradually learning how to manage my symptoms in a way that works for me. The hair growth is just one aspect of PCOS, but it’s been the most visible and devastating for me personally.

Overall: What Works and Other Effects

Since you might be curious, here’s a before and after comparison: one photo shows a day without shaving, and the other shows what it looks like after I’ve shaved. This is from the left side of my jawline.

Photographer: Self

·       I have spent thousands of dollars trying laser hair removal, but the hair came back. In my opinion, save your money. The doctors I’ve consulted, and there have been many, all say the same thing: there’s no guarantee because the hair growth is hormonal. However, technology has advanced leaps and bounds, so if you decide to try it again, proceed with caution and consult your medical professional. I stuck with laser treatments for over a year, and yet, the hair still returned.

·       When I tried threading and waxing, the hair grew back darker because the follicle was being ripped out at the root. What does the body do when friction is present? It gets tougher, the result coarser hair.

·       I also tried electrolysis, and it’s the only method that seemed to give lasting results. However, the side effects were intense. My face was swollen with scabs for about two weeks, and it took a month to fully clear up.

In the end, what I’ve settled on is shaving every day and applying makeup over the areas affected by PCOS. This gives me a relatively smooth and even look. I’ve heard there is a pill your doctor can prescribe to help with hair growth, but I don’t know much about it—just that I was told about it.

My big takeaway is that I’ve heard of women who treat PCOS as a symptom of a different underlying issue and have been successful in managing their PCOS symptoms. I’m still working on that myself, but I feel like I’ve at least reached a point where my PCOS is stable and not worsening. My long-term plan is to undergo electrolysis again because, at this point, I just want the hair follicles gone for good.

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