CME Treatment Protocols & Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When treating a client with a history of keloid scarring, which electrolysis modality is generally considered least likely to cause excessive scar formation?
- Galvanic (DC) electrolysis
- Thermolysis (high-frequency AC) (Correct answer)
- Blend method
- All modalities carry equal risk for keloid-prone clients
Correct answer: Thermolysis (high-frequency AC)
Thermolysis causes more localized, superficial heat damage and is generally preferred for keloid-prone clients because it produces less chemical tissue reaction than galvanic current.
Question 2: During a galvanic electrolysis treatment, the electrologist observes excessive bubbling at the insertion site. This most likely indicates:
- Correct needle placement at the papilla
- Overtreatment with too much current or time (Correct answer)
- Insufficient current to destroy the follicle
- Normal lye production at optimal levels
Correct answer: Overtreatment with too much current or time
Excessive bubbling (hydrogen gas at the cathode) during galvanic treatment indicates overtreatment, which can cause tissue damage beyond the follicle.
Question 3: A client presents for electrolysis on the upper lip but has a cardiac pacemaker. The safest course of action is to:
- Use only galvanic modality at low intensity
- Use only thermolysis at low frequency
- Obtain medical clearance before any treatment (Correct answer)
- Proceed with blend at reduced settings
Correct answer: Obtain medical clearance before any treatment
Pacemaker patients require medical clearance before electrolysis because electrical currents, even small ones, can potentially interfere with pacemaker function.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of stretching the skin taut during needle insertion in electrolysis?
- To reduce client discomfort during current delivery
- To straighten the follicle canal for accurate probe insertion (Correct answer)
- To increase blood flow to the treatment area
- To prevent post-treatment hyperpigmentation
Correct answer: To straighten the follicle canal for accurate probe insertion
Stretching the skin taut straightens the curved follicle canal, allowing the probe to follow the hair shaft more accurately to the papilla.
Question 5: Which probe/needle gauge is most appropriate for treating very fine vellus hairs on the face?
- Size 2 (thick gauge)
- Size 4 (medium gauge)
- Size 6 (fine gauge)
- Size 8 (ultra-fine gauge) (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Size 8 (ultra-fine gauge)
Ultra-fine gauge probes (size 8 or F-shank) are appropriate for fine vellus hairs to avoid over-treating delicate follicles and minimize tissue damage.
Question 6: A client reports increased hair growth after starting hormone replacement therapy (HRT). How should the electrologist adjust the treatment plan?
- Discontinue treatment until HRT is completed
- Increase current intensity to compensate for stronger follicles
- Anticipate longer treatment duration and counsel the client accordingly (Correct answer)
- Switch exclusively to galvanic modality
Correct answer: Anticipate longer treatment duration and counsel the client accordingly
HRT-stimulated hair growth may require longer overall treatment because new follicles may continue to be activated; the client should be counseled about realistic timelines.
Question 7: In the blend method, what is the correct sequence of current application?
- High-frequency AC is applied first, followed immediately by galvanic DC
- Galvanic DC is applied first to produce lye, then thermolysis enhances its activity
- Both currents are always applied simultaneously from the start (Correct answer)
- The sequence varies based on hair coarseness only
Correct answer: Both currents are always applied simultaneously from the start
In the blend method, galvanic and high-frequency currents are applied simultaneously; the thermolysis heat activates and spreads the galvanic lye more effectively.
CME Treatment Protocols & Procedures 2
When treating a client with a history of keloid scarring, which electrolysis modality is generally considered least likely to cause excessive scar formation?