AEA CPE (Certified Professional Electrologist) cheat sheet

Three modalities: galvanic (direct current, chemical destruction via lye), thermolysis (high-frequency alternating current, heat), and blend (galvanic plus thermolysis simultaneously).

Galvanic lye formation: 2H2O + 2e- produces H2 gas plus 2OH-; the hydroxide ion at the cathode is the active tissue-destroying agent.

Thermolysis delivers energy in short bursts; the probe tip heats tissue by ohmic resistance, and duration plus intensity control the coagulation volume.

Blend modality combines both currents through one probe, so treatment timing is set by the galvanic lye-production requirement, not by heat alone.

Probe diameter is selected to match hair diameter; an oversized probe increases trauma, an undersized probe reduces current transfer and efficacy.

Insertion follows the hair shaft angle and depth to the follicle bulb; correct depth places the active electrode at or just above the dermal papilla.

Treatment endpoint signs: hair releases without traction, and the shaft slides out with a smooth, non-resisting epilation motion.

Client records document modality, intensity, timing, probe type, area treated, skin response, and post-treatment instructions for each session.

Hair follicle anatomy: infundibulum, isthmus, and inferior segment; the bulb contains the matrix and dermal papilla, the target zone for permanent hair removal.

Growth cycle: anagen (active growth, follicle deepest and most vascular), catagen (regression), telogen (resting, club hair), and exogen (shedding).

Only anagen follicles are reliably treatable because the bulb and papilla are fully formed and positioned at maximal depth.

Hair shaft layers from outside in: cuticle, cortex, medulla; the cortex carries melanin and determines color.

Melanin type differs: eumelanin (brown/black) versus pheomelanin (red/blonde), affecting light-based sensitivity but not galvanic efficacy.

Skin layers: epidermis (avascular, keratinized), dermis (collagen, elastin, vessels, nerves, follicle bulbs), and subcutaneous tissue.

Vellus hair is fine, short, and unpigmented; terminal hair is longer, coarser, and pigmented; intermediate hair falls between the two.

Wound healing phases: hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation (granulation and re-epithelialization), and remodeling; each affects post-treatment skin response.

Informed consent precedes treatment and documents risks, alternatives, expected outcomes, and the client's right to stop at any time.

Scope of practice: electrologists treat hair removal and related skin care within their licensure; diagnosing skin disease or prescribing medication is outside scope.

Confidentiality: client records and health information are disclosed only with written authorization or where law requires reporting.

Referral rule: suspected malignancy, active infection, or undiagnosed lesions are referred to a physician rather than treated.

Contraindication screening covers pacemakers, pregnancy status, active skin infection, isotretinoin use, and bleeding disorders before treatment.

Documentation standard: entries are contemporaneous, legible, dated, signed, and never altered retroactively without an addendum.

Professional boundaries: no treatment on impaired judgment, and no dual relationships that compromise the client's interest.

Advertising must be truthful; claims of guaranteed permanent removal or cure are prohibited as misleading.

Critical items (probes, forceps that penetrate tissue) require sterilization; semi-critical items require high-level disinfection; non-critical items require low-level disinfection.

Sterilization methods: steam autoclave (moist heat), dry heat, and chemical vapor; efficacy is verified by biological indicators such as spore tests.

Single-use probes are discarded after one client; reusable probes must be cleaned, packaged, and sterilized between clients.

Hand hygiene: soap and water or alcohol-based rub before and after each client and after glove removal.

Gloves are changed between clients and whenever torn or contaminated; gloves do not replace handwashing.

Sharps are placed in puncture-resistant, labeled containers immediately after use; containers are not overfilled.

Bloodborne pathogen exposure: wash the site, report the incident, and follow the post-exposure evaluation protocol.

Surface disinfection uses an EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant with the labeled contact time observed.