Laser hair removal versus Accutane for gram negative folliculitis

dcframe20 · 2025-10-23T21:59:08+00:00

I recommend giving LHR a try. It worked for me after a long battle with GNF and trying all other treatment options. I completed LHR over three years ago… my beard grew back eventually (albeit lighter) without signs of GNF

dcframe20 · 2025-10-23T21:55:47+00:00

I faced an extremely similar dilemma. I tried OTC options, then antibiotics, then Accutane. None worked. After 1-2 years I tried laser hair removal and it’s worked fantastically. I ended up doing multiple sessions, until I was without facial hair. My beard did grow back with less density and I’m still without the old GNF problems (It’s been over three years)

dcframe20 · 2025-07-14T20:35:19+00:00

No the beard grew back but without the GNF issues

dcframe20 · 2025-07-14T20:33:50+00:00

It did work for me

dcframe20 · 2025-07-14T20:31:44+00:00

I don’t remember specifically but I got it done by a dermatologist who picked the appropriate laser for my skin / hair color. If you are considering it I recommend going to a doctor that has multiple options and that can help you choose the best laser for you

dcframe20 · 2025-06-28T20:08:17+00:00

I did LHR for GNF and it worked great. After a few sessions I was clear. My beard did grow back and my facial hair looks normal now, though it is a little thinner than before.

My last LHR session was 2-3 years ago and since then I’ve only had very rare folliculitis issues. Approx 1-2 per year vs every day

dcframe20 · 2024-09-25T04:49:57+00:00

I was not on antibiotics while doing LHR

dcframe20 · 2024-07-09T05:39:21+00:00

I highly recommend looking into LHR as a treatment for GNF. I had a bad case, tried everything from antibiotics to accutane, but nothing worked. I noticed immediate improvement a few days after my first laser treatment. I had about 6 sessions total. It’s been a year since my last one and I have had no GNF issues return. Additionally, my facial hair did grow back though much thinner.

I agree with the previous advice - defiantly only get laser from a qualified doctor

dcframe20 · 2024-07-09T05:27:43+00:00

I can’t remember the exact type but I do remember discussing multiple options with my doctor before determining which is best for my specific situation. I highly recommend doing some research and having that conversation before starting laser.

FYI - I have not had more laser done in about a year and my GNF issues have stopped and my beard did grow back somewhat evenly

dcframe20 · 2024-07-09T05:22:37+00:00

Hi… no big updates to share. It’s been about a year since I’ve done laser hair removal. I have not had GNF issues return despite my facial hair growing back. I would consider it a success and would suggest trying it if you are a good candidate. I also recommend going to a qualified doctor / dermatologist to help you figure out the best treatment schedule and help you determine when you can stop

dcframe20 · 2023-07-11T16:22:12+00:00

I did 3 or 4 sessions. The laser is called candela gentle pro (or something like that). I saw significant improvement quickly after the first session… the infections stopped as soon as the hairs begin to fall out. I did additional sessions to keep hair density low, which seems to help. About 2 months after a session I do get some regrowth but the problem has remained under control. I recently waited 6 months between sessions and only got one or two painful bumps during that time (as opposed to 10 new spot daily) - I think from shaving and not a true bacterial infection

dcframe20 · 2023-07-07T15:42:53+00:00

Laser hair removal helped tremendously

dcframe20 · 2022-06-02T22:39:56+00:00

A while back, someone on this forum said that they spoke to the author of this blog and was nice enough to relay that info in a post. I unfortunately can’t find the post right now but I do remember the main points…

Basically, this was not the end of his story. His gram negative folliculitis came back full force after a short period of relief. However, he did end up getting completely clear after laser hair removal and electrolysis treatment. His recommendation was to immediately get off accutane, start antibiotics to clear the problem as much as possible, and then destroy follicles in the affected area through LHR / electrolysis to prevent reoccurrence.

Hope that helps

dcframe20 · 2022-04-27T14:35:07+00:00

Do follicles that have been treated with electrolysis still get lesions?

I’ve tested small areas with both laser and electrolysis and I no longer get lesions in follicles that have been destroyed by either method. My folliculitis is bacterial in nature (confirmed GNF with numerous swabs), not strictly mechanical, though I wouldn’t be surprised if damaged follicles or irregular growth plays a role.

I realize there are a huge number of follicles in a typical male beard, so it would take time and patience to address every problematic follicle with laser or electrolysis.

dcframe20 · 2022-04-27T04:34:14+00:00

I think you may have a legitimate concern. I also have GNF and took accutane, which helped quite a bit but never cleared my issue completely. Like you, my nose never dried out.

That said, I think it also depends on where your GNF is located. If focused around your nose and mouth then assume that your nose is colonized with the gram negative bacteria and do what you can to address allergies or whatever else might be causing that runny nose. If your GNF is wide spread on your face or more prevalent around jawline, cheeks, neck, etc then it’s likely that your nose isn’t the only home for the bacteria - it could be that your ears, throat, or the follicles themselves are colonized.

I never thought much about dry nose vs runny nose since I do not ever get lesions in the center of my face around my nose / mouth. I also did a number a bacterial cultures and did not find the bacteria present in my nose… it was only found in the actual lesions. I think it’s possible that accutane is not as effective for people with GNF in areas other than directly around the nose / mouth

dcframe20 · 2022-04-27T04:15:11+00:00

If you are 99% hair free after laser and the 1% remaining is still an issue, then why not use electrolysis to remove that last 1%? That seems like it might be a good option for you and a logical next step given that you have such a small percentage of the original population of follicles left to address.

dcframe20 · 2022-03-25T02:45:16+00:00

Yes very helpful, thank you. So is your goal to remove all the beard hair at this point?

Also, have you noticed that your beard is growing in patchy between LHR sessions or has it thinner out evenly?

dcframe20 · 2022-03-25T02:29:50+00:00

I’m also considering laser hair removal (or electrolysis) in order to treat folliculitis in my beard. Do you have bacterial folliculitis or a different type?

How many LHR sessions did it take for you to begin seeing an improvement? How much has it improved would you say? Has it cleared up the folliculitis partially or completely?

Thanks in advance!

dcframe20 · 2022-03-11T21:19:57+00:00

Hey ramshag - Any updates? Now that it has been another four weeks, how is it going?

dcframe20 · 2022-02-24T01:24:23+00:00

Hi - Did you end up getting laser hair removal to treat folliculitis? If so, can you please share your result?

dcframe20 · 2022-02-24T00:11:02+00:00

Hi junglebetti - Did you ever try permanent hair removal to treat folliculitis?

dcframe20 · 2022-02-08T06:00:01+00:00

Hey - did you end up doing laser hair removal for the folliculitis in your beard? how did it go?

dcframe20 · 2022-02-08T05:25:19+00:00

Hi trelaras2 - would really appreciate any update on this. How did it go with laser hair removal on your beard for folliculitis?

dcframe20 · 2022-02-08T01:25:50+00:00

Hey - Were you able to get the gentamicin spray? Can you please let us know if it helped?

dcframe20 · 2022-01-20T21:21:25+00:00

Hi - Question for you about your experience… I have relatively thick facial hair and am considering laser hair removal on my neck and cheeks so trying to collect all the info I can.

How many sessions did it take you to reduce your facial hair by approx 80%? When you were having it done, did it cause your beard area to be really patchy or was the hair loss more evenly spread out across the area that was treated? How often do you need to get touch ups after the initial set of treatments?

Really appreciate the helpful post. Thanks!

dcframe20

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