What is Hidradenitis Suppurativa?

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that affects areas of the body where skin rubs together and apocrine (sweat) glands are concentrated, most commonly the underarms, groin, buttocks, and skin under the breasts. It typically presents as painful lumps, boils, or abscesses that can rupture, drain, and, over time, lead to scarring or tunnelling under the skin (known as sinus tracts).

HS affects an estimated 1 in 100 people, though it is frequently underdiagnosed or mistaken for recurring boils or infections. It tends to begin after puberty and disproportionately affects women, and it is more common in people who smoke, have a family history of the condition, or live with obesity, although HS can affect anyone regardless of body size or lifestyle.e.

More Than a Skin Condition

For many people living with HS, the physical symptoms are only part of the picture. The unpredictability of flares can shape daily decisions: what to wear, whether to make plans, how to sit or move without discomfort. Because the condition often affects areas that are difficult to talk about, many people carry it privately, sometimes for years before seeking a diagnosis.

At Connected Health & Skin, we recognise that treating HS well means treating the whole picture, including the toll it can take on confidence and quality of life, not only the visible symptoms.

How is HS Currently Treated?

There is no single cure for HS, and treatment is usually tailored to the severity of the condition, often described using the Hurley staging system (Stage I to III, from isolated lesions through to widespread tunnelling and scarring). Common approaches include:

• Topical and oral antibiotics, used to reduce inflammation and bacterial involvement
• Hormonal therapies, for some patients where hormonal factors play a role
• Biologic medications, such as adalimumab, for moderate to severe cases
• Surgical intervention, including deroofing or excision of affected tissue in more advanced or localised disease
• Lifestyle measures, such as smoking cessation and weight management, which can reduce flare frequency for some patients

Laser therapy has increasingly become part of this treatment landscape, particularly for patients in earlier stages of HS or those looking for options that work alongside their existing medical care.

Where Laser Therapy Fits In

One of the drivers of HS flares is inflammation around hair follicles in affected areas. Laser treatments that target these follicles, such as the Aerolase Neo Elite, have been used by dermatology and laser clinics to help reduce the frequency and severity of flare-ups over a course of sessions.

The Aerolase Neo Elite uses a 1064nm Nd:YAG laser delivered through a very short, 650-microsecond pulse. This combination is designed to:

• Reduce inflammation in the treated area
• Target hair follicles, which are closely linked to HS flare activity
• Be well tolerated across all skin tones, without the need for numbing cream in most cases
• Involve no downtime, so patients can return to normal activities immediately

It is worth being clear about what this treatment is, and is not. Laser therapy is not a cure for HS, and it works best as one part of a broader, ongoing care plan developed with a dermatologist or HS specialist. For patients in earlier stages of the condition, or those looking to reduce reliance on antibiotics, it can be a valuable addition to that plan.

What to Expect from a Consultation

If you are considering laser therapy for HS, a consultation at Connected Health & Skin will typically involve:

1. A review of your HS history, including flare frequency, affected areas, and any current treatments
2. A discussion of whether laser therapy is a suitable addition to your care, alongside your dermatologist if you are already under specialist care
3. An explanation of what a treatment session involves and what results are realistic for your specific case
4. A personalised plan, since the number and spacing of sessions varies from person to person

If you have not yet been formally diagnosed or are not currently under the care of a dermatologist, we would always encourage that as a first step or a consultation with one of our Naturopathic Doctors. Laser therapy is most effective as part of coordinated care, not as a replacement for it.

You Are Not Alone in This

HS is a condition that is still widely misunderstood, and many people who live with it go years without a diagnosis or without knowing that options beyond antibiotics exist. If the discomfort, unpredictability, or emotional weight of HS has been something you have been managing quietly, we want you to know that support is available, and that seeking it is nothing to feel embarrassed about.

Ready to talk about your options? Book a consultation with Connected Health & Skin in Toronto to discuss whether the Aerolase Neo Elite may be a helpful addition to your HS care plan.