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Should I shave, wax, or laser my legs? Which type of hair removal is best for those with HS? We have the solutions.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterised by lesions beneath the skin’s surface, develops in the hair follicles. You’d assume that having less hair would be advantageous. However, if HS develops, hair removal can become a major annoyance.

Consider how hair normally grows from the skin to fully grasp the issue: Everything begins at the root (a bulb beneath the skin’s surface composed of hair follicle cells), which is positioned at the very bottom of the follicle. Blood veins transport nutrients to the root, causing it to develop new cells. When the bulb is fed, hair forms and is pushed up through the skin, passing an oil gland along the way to help the process go smoothly.

However, in HS, inflammation occurs around the top region of the hair follicle, potentially leading to follicular opening rupture and, in some cases, blockage. Although experts are unsure why, this disruption and malfunction in hair growth generates painful nodules and abscesses that may leave behind “tunnels” under the skin. Hair removal procedures differ in how they interrupt the normal process of hair production and might cause pain and inflammation in some patients. When dealing with others if you have HS, you must use utmost caution. We asked the experts which hair removal methods are best for people with HS. Continue reading to get the lowdown.

The Technique: Waxing

The initial step in waxing is to apply heated wax to the skin, which is commonly done at a salon or spa. The wax is then covered with a pressed and glued piece of cloth. The technician next removes the piece of cloth that has wax and hairs on to it. Waxing usually results in smooth, fuzz-free skin for four to six weeks.

The HS Verdict: Waxing, according to our specialist, is a no-no because it might worsen the HS and cause even more agony and lesions. Furthermore, it can raise the risk of infection since, if not done correctly and the complete hair is not removed, a sharp splintered strand might remain lodged in the skin, allowing bacteria to enter.

“It ultimately causes more harm than good because the hot wax can aggravate the symptoms and irritate the skin,” says the author. 

There has currently been no research into the effects of waxing on HS. Because each patient with HS is unique, some people with HS may be able to wax without issue, but caution is suggested.

The Technique: Shaving

When you shave, you use a razor and an emollient product, such as shaving cream, to remove hair from the skin’s surface. Shaving, unlike waxing, does not remove hair from the root, which causes hair to regrow quickly and sometimes thicker-looking.

The HS Verdict: According to our expert, shaving with HS is one of the safest procedures accessible. However, you must proceed with extreme caution, as he claims that any damage to the skin, such as a razor scratch, may result in a new lesion or infection. “I advise my HS patients to start with basic precautions, such as cleaning the area with antibacterial soap.” This prevents microorganisms from being driven into the skin, causing more discomfort.” Neem soap is recommended initially as a disinfectant. To clean the area, use a bacterial hand soap, but avoid using alcohol because it can be harsh and irritating to the skin.

Dr. Adil also suggests using a gel-to-foam shaving gel instead of a traditional foaming product because it is less irritating. Before shaving, apply a little layer of moisturiser to soften and protect the skin around the follicle. “Anything you can do to limit how the blade catches on the skin will be beneficial,” he explains.

In terms of its impact on HS, shaving has likewise gotten scant consideration. Some patients may be sensitive to shaving stress on the skin; therefore, if they notice a tendency of flare after shaving, they must be aware of it as a personal trigger.

The Procedure: Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal uses laser light, which converts to heat when it interacts with hair pigment, to literally kill hair follicles and prevent or postpone future hair growth. People who want much less hair growth—enough to stop shaving—tend to like this therapy, as it can result in permanent hair reduction. After each treatment, the hair is usually completely gone, with just about 10-15% permanently damaged. The remaining 85-90% regenerates in 3-4 weeks. As more treatments are implemented, this continuous decline becomes more pronounced. Although most studies imply that even partial hair reduction with four treatments results in decreased disease activity, it may take more than 10 treatments to obtain less than 5% of the starting hair. Although there may be some discomfort during treatment, it is performed on conscious individuals with no rehabilitation necessary.

The biggest downside of laser hair removal is that each session can cost between $200 and $300 and is practically hard to get reimbursed by insurance (even if you have HS) because it is deemed cosmetic rather than medically necessary.

While it is the most expensive option, dermatologists say that if you have HS, laser hair removal is your best shot, partly because it goes beyond regular hair removal. “I generally recommend to patients that they consider laser hair removal because there are studies that show that this modality can not only remove the hair but also treat the condition and prevent recurrences,” Dr. Adil says.

It has been shown, for example, to be an appropriate therapy option for those with mild to severe HS since it is a less intrusive form of removal that can reduce the number of hair follicle lesions that function as potential sites of inflammation. It also has no worrying issues that could worsen the condition, and it delivers a speedy post-treatment recovery. Furthermore, it can help with disease management, according to Dr. Adil, because lasers include a pre- and post-cooling option that calms active lesions before and after treatment and may prevent new ones from forming.

There is one caveat to laser hair removal: not everyone is a good candidate. According to Dr. Adil, it is not suitable for people with blonde or grey hair because there is no pigment to absorb the laser’s energy. He believes that there are specialised technologies, such as the long-pulse Nd: YAG laser, that are safe for those with dark skin tones since the wavelength may kill off dark, coarse hairs while not affecting the skin’s pigment. Both specialists recommend seeing a dermatologist for the therapy because they are professionally educated and will be able to tell you whether it is a viable option for you.

Trimming method.

Trimming is a hair removal treatment that involves using scissors or an electric body trimmer to tame extra-long or unruly hairs. It will not pluck the hair from the root, but rather clip it close to the skin’s surface, making the hair less visible. Trimming is more common in men who want to keep their facial hair without shaving, although it is safe and simple for anybody to do.

The HS Opinion: Dr. Adil favours trimming because it is less invasive. “Trimming the hair with electric trimmers or fine scissors is usually a safe option,” he says, adding that you should still use an antibacterial cleanser (neem soap) before and after to keep infection-causing germs at away.

Our Prognosis –

EliteAyurveda Clinics has a panel of doctors in many medical disciplines such as endocrine, autoimmune, gynaecology, and so on under one roof. We are well-known for treating chronic and difficult-to-treat illnesses with a holistic and root-cause approach.

To learn more, please contact us.

Hydradenitis suppurativa is a cause of Kapha and Pitta dosha, according to Ayurveda. When the digestive fire (Agni), or Pitta, is out of equilibrium, the Kapha Dosha becomes vitiated, causing metabolism to slow down. Because of the disturbance of fat molecules, they begin to accumulate in muscles and obstruct physiological passages, resulting in painful, swelling sores in the groyne, buttocks, thighs, and armpits.

The goal of hidradenitis suppurativa Treatment in Ayurveda is to restore the body’s natural balance by detoxifying it using effective herbal remedies. 

Elite Ayurveda’s treatment for Hidradenitis Suppurativa includes balancing the Kapha and Pitta doshas as well as restoring metabolism harmony. Body detoxification, internal medications to balance doshas, and exterior applications to repair wounds are all part of the treatment.

The treatment consists of herbal mixtures generated based on individual Prakruti and Vikruti analyses. To learn more, please visit our website.

Connect with us to obtain patient testimonials and to chat directly with our patients about their experience in having their ailment treated by us and Ayurveda in general.

Dr. Adil Moulanchikkal, Lead Ayurveda Specialist at EliteAyurveda Clinics, has medically reviewed this article.

Know More About Ayurveda Treatment For Hidradenitis Suppurativa.