Electrology
Electrology
The Electrology domain tests permanent hair removal by epilation: hair growth cycles, electricity, needle insertion, modality selection, sanitation, and client safety. The exam distinguishes what each modality does and when treatment is contraindicated.
Core rules and concepts
- Hair growth: anagen is the active growth phase and the best target; telogen is resting. Hair grows in cycles, so a series of treatments is expected.
- Modalities: galvanic uses direct current to create a chemical reaction (lye) at the follicle; thermolysis uses high-frequency alternating current to produce heat; blend combines both. Coarse, curved, or deep follicles often need blend, while fine, shallow hairs may respond to thermolysis.
- Insertion: use a sterile, single-use needle, insert along the follicle to the dermal papilla without puncturing or tunneling. Good lighting and magnification matter. Do not force a hair out; if it resists, reinsert rather than pull.
- Intensity: base it on the client’s sensation, visible erythema, and manufacturer settings. Too little current leaves the hair viable; too much causes blanching, scabbing, or scarring.
- Infection control: gloves; disinfect the epilator and probe holder; dispose of needles in a sharps container; never reuse needles. Electrical modalities generally require medical clearance for a client with a pacemaker or implanted electronic device.
- Contraindications include active infection, keloids, recent isotretinoin, and inflamed or broken skin; do not treat over moles or birthmarks without medical clearance.
Worked example
A client has coarse chin hair with curved follicles. The reasoning: coarse, deep, curved hairs are more likely to need the blend modality, because galvanic action adds chemical destruction while thermolysis adds heat. Insert a sterile needle along the follicle, apply current at a setting the client tolerates, and watch for a small area of erythema rather than blanching. Remove the hair with forceps without traction; if it resists, reinsert instead of plucking. Schedule the next treatment in the appropriate growth window.
Traps
Reusing a needle; pulling a hair that resists; overtreating until the skin blanches; choosing thermolysis for every hair type; treating over an active infection or a mole without clearance; and failing to disinfect the probe holder.