Advanced Electrolysis

Introduction

High Frequency

High Frequency uses an alternating current which causes friction by agitating atoms. This friction causes heat which is the destructive force used in advanced electrolysis. Moisture in the tissue heats up. This reaction is localized and does not spread through the neighbouring tissue.

A sterile needle is used for each client to deliver the current.

Treatment Procedure

The area to be treated is firstly cleaned with a sterilizing solution. Then the correct size needle is selected.

Conditions that may be treated

Epidermal Growths

1/ Skin tags

Skin tags are also known as Filiform warts, Fibro-epithelial Polyps and Archrochordons. They are a pedunculated papules consisting of normal epidermis with a loose connective tissue stroma (supporting tissue) and may be pigmented or non-pigmented often occurring in areas of friction. They can be hereditary and may also occur during pregnancy. There is an increased occurrence with age but they can also be caused by the Human Papilloma Virus.

2/ Seborrhoeic Keratosis (senile warts)

Seborrhoeic Keratosis are also known as AKA Seborrhoeic Warts or Basal Cell Papillomas. They are a benign growth of the epidermal cells. They eventually develop into scaly like lesions with a ‘stuck on’ appearance. The papule or plaque and can vary in size from 2mm to 2cm. The colour and shape can vary but they are mainly found on the head, face, neck and trunk of individuals over the age of 40 years old.

3/ Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra – DPN

DPN are histologically identical to Seborrhoeic Keratosis and are smooth, flat, dome shaped lesions that mainly occur on individuals with coloured skin. They can be hereditary.

4/ Warts

Common/Plane/Verrucae

Warts are benign growths caused by infection of the epidermal cells with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). The virus causes thickening of the epidermis with spaces and scaling. The Dermal papillae extend upward containing capillaries which can be viewed as black dots.

7/ Milia

Milia are tiny cysts that contain keratin and sebum (lipid epithelial plugs or epidermal inclusion cysts). The exact cause is unknown but they are possibly related to diet. Milia most commonly occur over upper cheeks and beneath the eyes but can occur anywhere on the body. They are often no larger than a pinhead. They can appear as an isolated nodule or in clusters.

8/ Syringoma

These are a benign tumor of the eccrine sweat gland and look like milia but are soft. They can occur from adolescence onwards and are usually found in multiples around the eyes.

9/ Sebaceous Hyperplasia

These are enlarged or blocked sebaceous glands which can be yellowish or whitish in colour. Tiny blood vessels may be visible. They occur most commonly on the face but may occur anywhere.

10/ Campbell De Morgan Spot / Cherry Angioma

These are purple/red coloured lesions with a domed, smooth surface and up to 5mm in diameter. They are due to a proliferation in the capillaries and occur mainly on the trunk of individuals. Often they appear over several months having no special significance for general health but often appear after an individual has received general anaesthetic.

11/ Spider Naevus

These have a central capillary from which fine capillaries radiate, resembling the legs of a spider – hence the name spider naevus. The central body or capillary is often raised and in the majority of cases supplies the blood for the radiating capillaries. Spider naevi can occur spontaneously during pregnancy and if left alone will often resolve without treatment after the pregnancy has ended. In some instances they may be associated with chronic liver failure. They may also occur as a result of mechanical injury.

Dermal & Subcutaneous

10/ Xanthomata

These are lipid laden collections of dermal histiocytes (type of immune cell that eats foreign substances in an effort to protect the body from infection). They appear as yellowish papules, plaques and nodules. Plaques commonly found around and on the eyelids are called Xanthelasmas. Other Xanthomata’s may appear as firm yellow nodules (often on the knees and elbows), linear yellow deposits in the palms, lumps in the extensor tendons, large flat plaques, (often on the forehead), or crops of small red-brown papules (often on the buttocks). There is usually a family history of the condition. Not to be confused with Milia.

Contraindications

There are certain conditions that may be contraindicated in the treatment with advanced Electrolysis procedures.

These are as follows:

Active Herpes Simplex	The condition could be aggravated and healing may be impaired.
Active Skin Diseases  eg.  Rosacea	The skin’s ability to heal is impaired.  When Rosacea is not active the resultant  telangiectasia can be treated quite successfully although it cannot be completely eliminated
Anticoagulant medication eg. Warfarin, asprin	Blood clotting function is impaired.
Dermabrasion	The skin should be left for at least 6 months post dermabrasion, before treatment, to allow for complete healing.
Dermographic Skin	This is skin which becomes raised and inflamed when stroked, scratched, rubbed, and sometimes even slapped.  It is not actually contra-indicated but proceed with caution until skin reaction can be assessed.
Diabetes	With diabetes the skin’s healing function is impaired so treatment may proceed but with caution.
Epilepsy	If the epilepsy is controlled by medication or the last fit was over 2 years ago treatment may be undertaken but with caution.  The operator would need to ensure they were fully conversant with the first aid procedure to follow should an attack occur.
Flying 2 – 3 days post treatment	The pressurised cabin may interfere with healing
Haemophilia	Blood clotting impaired.
Hepatitis B, C, D, E and G / HIV	Due to the risks clients with HIV or Hepatitis are contraindicated to treatment.
Keloid Scarring	If the client is prone to keloid scarring then treatment is contraindicated as it could cause a keloid at the site of entry of the needle.
Oestrogen Medication – e.g. HRT / TS / Contraceptive Pill	If treatment is to be on the face check if the client is prone to pigmentation (chloasma/melasma).  If not proceed with caution.
Pace maker	Those with a pace maker are contraindicated for treatment if the treatment is using a diathermy machine.  This is because the radio waves may interfere with the function of the battery in the pace maker.
Pigmentation present eg. sun tan, ethnic colour, chloasma, birthmark	Treatment could result in hyperpigmentation (which may take  as long as 6 – 12 months to resolve as long as over treatment had not occurred).
Sunburn	Sunburn would cause the healing of the skin to be impaired.

Post Treatment

Immediately after treatment the area will be red and possibly a little raised. This is due to tissue fluid collecting in the area which aids healing. It will subside within anything from 20 minutes to 24 hours.

You must follow the individual post treatment advice given to you by the practitioner to aid healing without complications or the risk of scarring.

After Care

1/Do not touch the areas except when applying after care preparations.

2/An appropriate after care preparation should be applied very gently night and morning to the treated area. Do this until the skin has returned to normal. The after care preparation should be applied before moisturiser or makeup and allowed to form a protective film over the area first.

3/Once the aftercare product has dried in you may apply makeup with clean cotton wool, sterilized sponge or freshly washed hands. Only makeup from a tube should be used. On no account should you use a makeup compact and sponge. Both the makeup and the sponge will almost certainly be contaminated.

4/ It is extremely important not to pick or rub off any crusts that may form. If you do then it will reopen the site making it susceptible to infection and it may lead to scarring.

5/ If the sides of the nostrils have been treated avoid blowing your nose for several days.

6/ If you have had the bridge of your nose treated and you wear glasses either try and avoid wearing the glasses for a few days or place some cotton wool between the glasses and your nose.

For 48 hours after treatment

7/ Avoid vigorous exercise which could slow down the healing process by over stimulating the area.

8/ Do not sunbathe, use a sun bed or lamp. This would increase pigmentation in the area treated.

9/ Do not go swimming as the chemicals in the water may irritate the skin.

10/ Avoid any heat treatments e.g. saunas, steam baths, infra-red treatments as again these may over stimulate the area and slow down the healing process.

11/ Avoid flying as the cabin pressure may affect healing.