My PCOS Story (Yes, I’ve Been Outside)

Let’s start here: I’m not new to this. I’m true to this.

I was diagnosed with PCOS in middle school. Not TikTok diagnosed. The doctor diagnosed. I read a teen magazine letter about a girl describing her symptoms, showed it to my mom, went to the doctor, and boom, hormone imbalance confirmed.

By that time, I already had hair everywhere. Face. Neck. Chin. Upper lip. If you know, you know.

My mom, an OG classy baddie, had done electrolysis herself and stopped growing hair. So she thought, “Bet. We’re fixing this.” And I started electrolysis in late middle school / early high school.

It helped.

But here’s the part nobody tells you: if your hormones are still out of balance, the hair will come back.

And mine did.

Laser Hair Removal vs Electrolysis: Let’s Be Honest

Here’s the truth about laser hair removal vs electrolysis:

• Electrolysis is considered “permanent.”
• Laser hair removal is considered “long-term reduction.”

But neither one overrides hormones.

If you have PCOS or any hormonal imbalance that causes excess hair growth, your body will continue producing hair follicles. You can kill one follicle, and your body will grow another because the root issue isn’t addressed.

Electrolysis destroys individual follicles one by one.
Laser targets pigment and thins hair before reducing it.

But if your hormones are still wildin’? The hair is coming back.

I’ve done:

• Electrolysis (young, hormones unbalanced)
• Diode laser
• YAG laser
• Laser on and off through my 20s

And in my late 20s / early 30s? I could grow a full beard again.

Your 20s are still hormonal development years. Nobody talks about that enough.

The Turning Point: Hormone Balance Changed Everything

Here’s what changed.

In my early years:

• Inconsistent periods
• On and off birth control
• Hormones are refusing to regulate

Fast forward to my 30s:

• Periods are now regular
• No birth control
• No special vitamins
• Body more balanced

And guess what?

Now, laser hair removal actually sticks.

During COVID, I did about 18 months of YAG laser. Most of the hair never came back. I had minor regrowth under my chin and the corners of my lips, but nothing compared to before.

Now that my hormones are more balanced, the results last.

That’s the key.

Laser hair removal is only “permanent” when your hormones are stable enough not to keep triggering new growth.

Laser Hair Removal vs Electrolysis (Especially for PCOS)

If you’re trying to decide between laser hair removal vs electrolysis, here’s my honest cheat code:

If you have a lot of hair + hormones are balanced:
→ Start with a laser (especially YAG for deeper skin tones).
→ Clean up leftover hairs with electrolysis.

If you have PCOS + hormones NOT balanced:
→ Talk to your OB/GYN or primary care doctor first.
→ Work on regulating hormones.
→ Understand hair may keep coming back regardless.

If you have gray hair:
→ Laser will NOT zap them.
→ You need electrolysis.

A laser is typically cheaper and covers larger areas. Electrolysis is more expensive and time-consuming because it’s follicle by follicle.

So financially? Laser first, electrolysis second is the move.

Black Women & Laser Hair Removal

Let me also clear this up:

Black women can absolutely get laser hair removal.

You just need the right laser.

The YAG laser is typically safest for deeper skin tones because it bypasses surface pigment more effectively. The diode laser thins hair well, but it wasn’t my favorite long-term.

Make sure your provider:

• Has experience with darker skin tones
• Understands PCOS-related hair growth
• Isn’t overpromising permanence

Ask questions. Advocate for yourself.

What Happens at Menopause?

Listen… we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.

Hormones change again during menopause, which means hair patterns can change too. But I’ve got time and grace for that chapter when it comes.

Right now, the biggest lesson I’ve learned is this:

Hair removal is not just cosmetic when you have PCOS. It’s emotional. It’s confidence. It’s identity. It’s showing up how you want to show up.

And I needed to understand my body before I could expect permanent results.

The Real Answer

No hair removal technique is magic.

Electrolysis isn’t magic.
Laser hair removal isn’t magic.

Your hormones matter.

If you have PCOS and you’re dealing with unwanted facial hair, especially beard-level growth, don’t let the internet gaslight you into thinking you’re doing something wrong.

Talk to your doctor.
Understand your body.
Balance first. Remove second.

And if your hormones are good?
Laser first. Electrolysis clean-up. Save your coins.

I’m true to this.