What Areas Can Be Treated?

Hair can be removed from almost any part of the body, with the exception of the inside of the nose and the ear canal.

Electrolysis is safe and effective for all types of skin and hair.

Areas commonly treated on women include the hairline, eyebrows, ears, top of the nose, cheeks, sides of the face, upper and lower lip areas, chin, throat, neck, shoulder, back, underarms, chest, breasts, abdomen, bikini line, arms, fingers, legs and toes.

For men, areas of concern frequently include the hairline, eyebrows, top of the nose, mustache-line, ears, sideburns, cheeks, beard-line, neck, shoulders, back, and chest.

Eyelashes and hairs growing out of a mole or birthmark can be removed only with a doctor’s written consent.

What Causes Unwanted Hair Growth?

There are many factors which could contribute to unwanted hair. Heredity, hormonal changes, medications, stress, and external factors can all play a significant role.

It’s in the Genes

If members of your family have unwanted hair, the odds are likely that you will too.

Hormones – A Balancing Act

At various times in a person’s life, changes in hormonal balance can cause unwanted hair growth. The hormones responsible for this are called androgens; they are often referred to as “male” hormones because they are present in larger quantities in men, but there are certain amounts present in women as well.

Both women and men normally experience increased hair growth during puberty, due to an increase in androgens; women also undergo these hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause.

In some individuals, excess hair growth can indicate an underlying medical condition which may involve a problem with the endocrine (hormone-producing) glands. Disorders of the thyroid, pituitary, adrenal glands, and the ovaries can often cause hormonal imbalances; for the sake of the individual’s health, these conditions must be evaluated and treated by a physician. The side-effect of excess hair growth will not be resolved until the cause itself is.

Medications

Certain medications, such as cyclosporin, dilantin, minoxidil, cortisone, and birth control pills can also affect hormonal balance.

Stress*#@%^*!

Believe it or not, stress (both emotional and physical) can also result in hormonal changes. In women, stress can even go so far as to cause menstrual irregularities

The Outside World

Anything that causes an increase in the blood supply to the skin and hair follicles, such as casts, sunburn, and scarring from an injury, can also stimulate new hair growth.

How Long Does It Take and
Why Do I Have to Come Back?

Because most of the follicles are dormant at any one point in time, we can only treat the ones that are active at the time of the appointment.

This is why a series of treatments over a period of time is necessary in order to successfully eliminate the unwanted hair.

If you start seeing new hairs coming in only a week or two after your last treatment, it is important to remember that they are not from the same follicles that were just treated.

In general, it takes about a year, sometimes a little  longer, for all the follicles to have a chance to go through their life cycles.  This estimate is based on a pattern of consistent treatment, in the sense that treatments are scheduled often enough to keep up with the new growth.

Although this may sound like a long time, you will start to see significant results long before then, as the hair growth begins to thin out and slow down.

Being consistent with your treatments will definitely produce the quickest and most satisfying results for you.

As you continue your treatments and make progress, your sessions will become shorter and spaced further apart.

Does Electrolysis Hurt?


This is a common concern, but most people are pleasantly surprised to find that the discomfort of electrolysis is not as bad as they had feared.

Sensitivity differs among individuals, and can even vary within the same person from one treatment session to the next.  It can be affected by things like stress, medication, and caffeine.  Sensitivity will also vary between different areas of the body.

At Alter Image, every treatment is individualized, and topical anesthetics are available to maximize your comfort.  You can even bring in your favorite music to help you relax.