Electrolysis Techniques & Procedures Flashcards
7 cards from real CPE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Electrolysis Techniques & Procedures flashcards as text
What is 'flash thermolysis' and what distinguishes it from standard thermolysis?
Answer: A very short burst of high-intensity RF current delivered in milliseconds
Flash thermolysis delivers very brief, high-intensity RF bursts (typically 1–25 milliseconds) that generate rapid heat deep in the follicle while minimizing thermal diffusion to surrounding tissue.
Which anatomical structure must be destroyed for permanent hair removal to be achieved?
Answer: The dermal papilla and surrounding germinal matrix
Permanent hair removal requires destruction of the dermal papilla (which supplies nutrients) and the germinal matrix cells (which produce new hair), both located at the base of the follicle.
A client asks why some hairs require multiple treatments to achieve permanency. The best explanation is:
Answer: Not all follicles are in the anagen phase during any single treatment session
Because only anagen-phase follicles are fully active and most susceptible to treatment, hairs in catagen or telogen phases at the time of treatment may regrow and require retreatment.
When electrolysis is performed on the upper lip, what probe angle is typically used to follow the natural follicle direction?
Answer: An angle that follows the hair's growth direction, often 10–45 degrees
Facial follicles, including the upper lip, generally grow at oblique angles; the probe must be inserted at the angle that matches the hair's exit from the skin to follow the follicle channel.
What is the significance of the 'catagen' phase for electrolysis treatment planning?
Answer: Catagen is a transitional phase during which the follicle is shrinking and treatment is less effective
During catagen, the follicle is transitioning and the bulb is detaching from the papilla, making it less susceptible to permanent destruction compared to the active anagen phase.
Which client condition would most likely require reducing current intensity during thermolysis?
Answer: Fitzpatrick Type I very fair skin with fine vellus hair
Very fair, fine skin (Fitzpatrick Type I) with delicate vellus hair requires lower current intensity because less energy is needed to destroy fine follicles and the skin is more sensitive to overtreatment.
What does the term 'overtreatment' mean in the context of electrolysis, and what is its primary risk?
Answer: Applying excessive current or dwell time to a follicle, risking permanent scarring
Overtreatment occurs when too much electrical energy is applied to a follicle, damaging surrounding dermis and increasing the risk of permanent pit scarring, hyperpigmentation, or hypopigmentation.