Laser Hair Removal for Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Author: Aunt Vadge
Qualified Naturopath | BHSc(N)

Last reviewed: July 7, 2026

Hello and thank you for your site!

I’ve had hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) for about 10 years. Luckily only my groin area is affected and it’s never been too severe, but during flares it’s uncomfortable, embarrassing and pretty painful. I’ve been researching natural ways to manage flares and found some great advice. My question: how do you feel about laser hair removal? I read it might help reduce the keratin build-up in the follicle. Any advice?

Thanks again,
HS Sufferer

Hi HS Sufferer,

I’m a fan of trying things that have evidence behind them, and laser hair removal is one of those for HS – so yes, it’s worth exploring. Research suggests laser (particularly Nd:YAG) can moderately reduce HS flares in some people by cutting down the follicles and the keratin build-up that feed the inflammation, and it tends to work best when done during lower-inflammation periods.

The big caveat is who does it. This needs a specialist dermatology clinic with proper medical-grade lasers, ideally with experience treating HS – not a high-street beautician, who won’t have the right equipment or knowledge, and the research suggests you need fairly aggressive, well-targeted treatment to get a real effect.

A sensible approach is to find a dermatologist who treats HS, ask their view on the depth and frequency of treatment for your case, and perhaps trial a test patch next to a similar affected area so you can judge the difference for yourself. It usually doesn’t take long to tell whether it’s helping.

One bigger-picture point: HS is a chronic inflammatory condition, and while it’s great you’ve found natural strategies that ease your flares, it’s well worth being under a dermatologist for it overall – there are effective medical treatments too, and laser fits best as one part of a managed plan rather than a standalone fix. Anything that lowers the inflammation is worth having in your toolkit.

Warmest regards,
Aunt Vadge

This is general information, not a substitute for personalised medical advice.