Pilonidal sinus

[Kimmy]

My partner has a terrible problem with recurring perianal abscesses. He's on his 4 operation now. The surgeon has told us the abscess is caused by the hair on the buttock getting "ingrown" and infected. Would laser hair removal help this problem?

[misspiggy]

My partner has a terrible problem with recurring perianal abscesses. He's on his 4 operation now. The surgeon has told us the abscess is caused by the hair on the buttock getting "ingrown" and infected. Would laser hair removal help this problem?

Hi Kimmy,

I would have thought so. Laser hair reduction permanently reduces the number of hairs in an area. If you reduce the numbers of hairs around the *ahem* buttocks you to the same number as a normal person. Well I guess your chances of getting those buttock abscesses are a lot less. My father had a buttock/perianal (sp??) abscess once and it wasn't pretty.

[doctornev]

My partner has a terrible problem with recurring perianal abscesses. He's on his 4 operation now. The surgeon has told us the abscess is caused by the hair on the buttock getting "ingrown" and infected. Would laser hair removal help this problem?

Hi Kimmy.

it sounds like your friend has unfortunately developed a fistula around the perianal region. These can be very difficult to treat. Generally the surgeons solve the problem.

IPL hair removal can help. Pilonidal sinus is caused by an infected ingrown hair around the buttock region. People who usually get pilonidal sinus or perianal abscesses are almost invariably hairy males. It is very very rare to see a female. IPL hair removal can greatly reduced the density of hair in this area. Theoretically if we can reduce the number of hairs in this area to a similar density to a female not only is the cosmetic result superior (in some people's eyes!) but your risk of getting an abscess should be the same as a female. eg basically negligable.

[bigbadjohn]

Hi Kimmy.

it sounds like your friend has unfortunately developed a fistula around the perianal region. These can be very difficult to treat. Generally the surgeons solve the problem.

IPL hair removal can help. Pilonidal sinus is caused by an infected ingrown hair around the buttock region. People who usually get pilonidal sinus or perianal abscesses are almost invariably hairy males. It is very very rare to see a female. IPL hair removal can greatly reduced the density of hair in this area. Theoretically if we can reduce the number of hairs in this area to a similar density to a female not only is the cosmetic result superior (in some people's eyes!) but your risk of getting an abscess should be the same as a female. eg basically negligable.



I've had one perianal abscess which was promptly drained at the Alfred the next day. Would it be worth me getting IPL to my buttocks?

[doctornev]

I've had one perianal abscess which was promptly drained at the Alfred the next day. Would it be worth me getting IPL to my buttocks?

Hi bigbadjohn,

Do you stand "6 foot four and weight two-forty-five?"


Perianal abscess' occur because "ingrown" hairs around the buttocks region get infected. Men with "ahem" hairy buttocks tend to be at greater risk of developing perianal abscesses or pilonidal sinuses. IPL hair or laser hair removal can help decrease the chance of this happening because it greatly decreases/eliminates the number of hairs in this region. So there are less to porentially get infected.

[GraceYoung]

Hi bigbadjohn,

Do you stand "6 foot four and weight two-forty-five?"


Perianal abscess' occur because "ingrown" hairs around the buttocks region get infected. Men with "ahem" hairy buttocks tend to be at greater risk of developing perianal abscesses or pilonidal sinuses. IPL hair or laser hair removal can help decrease the chance of this happening because it greatly decreases/eliminates the number of hairs in this region. So there are less to porentially get infected.

Hi I'm new but i couldn't help but notice this post.

My husband has had 5 operations for reoccuring pilonidal sinus. Should I tell him to talk to his GP or surgeon about permanent laser hair removal?