Most superfluous hair can be attributed to genetics, ethnic background or the normal hormonal changes women go through in life, puberty, pregnancy and menopause.

Other causes of excess hair growth include stress and certain medications; particularly steroids. Excess hair is often the result of endocrine dysfunctions such as PCOS, thyroid imbalance and menstrual irregularities. People seek out hair removal services for many different reasons, for some it's purely cosmetic, for others there can be underlying medical issues. Electrologists are trained to recognize symptoms which may require a medical referral.