Advanced Electrolysis

What is Electrolysis?

Advanced electrolysis uses short wave diathermy to treat unwanted skin blemishes, such as warts, skin tags, moles and other benign growths, as well as thread veins and vascular conditions with no mark left on the skin. There are now over 21 different types of blemishes that can be safely and effectively treated using advanced electrolysis.
The techniques we use are established and proven; in fact doctors were using an early type of this treatment back in the early 1900’s to treat broken capillaries, spider naevi, warts and xanthelasma (yellow pigmented areas found on the eyelids). The treatment has progressed since then and improved beyond recognition with modern technology and is a safe, comfortable and effective treatment much in demand by our customers.
In 1875 the very first treatment using electrolysis was recorded for in-growing eyelashes. Since this time, further developments have established its position as a successful and popular treatment for permanent hair removal for both medical and cosmetic reasons.

Commonly Treatable Skin Conditions

Thread Veins
These are permanently dilated capillaries. They have very thin walls which constantly dilate and constrict. As we age, these vessels lose their elasticity and can become permanently dilated. There are numerous causes including: sun-damage, hereditary, ageing, pregnancy, physical trauma (e.g. injury to the skin), exposure to harsh weather, hormonal changes and skin fragility.

Blood Spots
Bright red, superficial and circular vascular blemishes. These are often dome shaped or slightly raised and are frequently found on the midriff. Most people aged over 30 have at least one and they are often more common in men than women.

Spider Naevus
A spider naevus consists of a central dilated blood vessel, with smaller capillaries radiating from it like legs of a spider. They can be found in isolation or gathered together in clumps on areas such as the cheeks.

Skin Tags
Skin tags are mainly found in areas of friction such as the underarms, groin, under the breasts or around the neck where necklaces and collars irritate. They often appear with a stalk attachment, like a mushroom and vary in size from smaller than a grain of uncooked rice, to the size of a large pea or even larger.

Milia
These are tiny, hard, round spots which lie superficially under the skin and which contain keratin. Their cause is unknown although they are often associated with dry, dehydrated skin.

What happens during an Electrolysis Treatment Session?

In your first appointment with our practitioner, you should clearly explain your expectations of this cosmetic procedure treatment, so you can be advised whether this is the right treatment for you and whether it can achieve the results you’d like.

A medical history will be taken to make sure that there are no reasons why you shouldn’t undertake this treatment. You will be asked to read detailed information and sign a consent form which means that you have understood the potential benefits and risks associated with the procedure.
Photographs will also be taken by the practitioner for a “before and after” comparison at a later date.

An anaesthetic cream may be first applied to the area to be treated to help reduce any discomfort. After the skin is cleansed and disinfected, the practitioner then touches a wire/filament called a probe and sometimes also referred to as a needle against or within the skin abnormality to cauterise and/or cosmetically reduce the vascular or abnormal growth.

Normally it is not necessary to have repeat treatments once an abnormality has been treated, however, if you are prone to a particular skin condition formation then new “lumps” may appear in the future which themselves can be treated. A course of advanced electrolysis is often advised for thread/spider veins so that treatments can be spaced out to prevent skin damage or hyper-pigmentation.

Some conditions can be quite resilient and more than one treatment may be necessary, our practitioner will advise based on the response noted.
The amount of treatment time that may be required for different areas is extremely variable depending on the skin condition and the proliferation of its effect.

Treatment sessions will take between 30 minutes and an hour depending on the size of the area being treated.
Pain should be minimal, however you may still feel some discomfort.

What is the recovery time after Electrolysis?

No recovery time as such is necessary. You can return to work and normal activities immediately after a treatment. Depending on the particular skin condition being treated and the size of it, you can expect some post treatment discomfort and scabbing as the area heals.

If the area being treated is on your face, you may wish to plan treatment around social events if you do not wish to attend them before post-treatment healing has completed.

What are the risks of electrolysis treatment?

Depending on the area of your face or body being treated the procedure is well tolerated and in some cases virtually painless; feeling like a mild prickling sensation. However, in some of the cases, our practitioner will apply a topical anaesthetic to your skin prior to treatment to reduce any pain and discomfort.

Side effects or risks are minimal with this type of treatment and typically include minor flaking or dryness of the skin, with scab formation in some cases. Usually there is little or no chance of permanently marking the skin.

With many of the procedures the appearance may look worse before it looks better so careful timing of the treatment should be considered, particularly if you have any special events in your calendar and the treated area is in a noticeable place, such as on your face.

What is the aftercare for Electrolysis?

It is very important that you follow the advice of our practitioner carefully after any treatment to help make the procedure as successful as possible and to reduce the risk of complications.

Post – treatment advice will include:

• using tepid water to cleanse the treated area for the first 48 hours following treatment and drying the area gently without rubbing;
• ensuring that hands are always clean when touching the area treated, to avoid infections;
• not applying conventional make-up products to the skin for the first 12-24 hours following treatment, some mineral based make-up products are able to be applied as recommended by our practitioner;
• applying any prescribed skincare products given to you by our practitioner according to the regime specifically designed for you;
• applying a broad spectrum sunscreen product with a high SPF, ideally 50, when going outside following treatment.

Am I suitable for Electrolysis?

Advanced electrolysis treatment is suitable for most skin types.
Definitive contraindications:

1. Blood thinning medication
2. Cochlear implants
3. Dermatographia
4. Haemophilia
5. Keloid Scarring
6. Pacemaker
7. Pregnancy and breast feeding
8. Recent scar tissue (in treatment area)
9. Rosacea (active in treatment area)
10. Skin diseases/disorders
11. Sunburn (in treatment area)