electrolysis

Galvanic

process of changing chemicals from one kind to another

original modality

only permanent method of hair removal

Dr. Charles E. Michel

1875

opthalmologist, removed ingrown eyelashes

created the profession of electrolysis

Other Names

true electrolysis, chemical decomposition, direct current

Theory of Galvanic Reaction

water: H2O (hydrogen and oxygen)

salt: NaCl (sodium chloride)

Cathode

needle/probe

Electrode

negative pole

NaOH, Sodium Hydroxide, Lye, Alkali

Anode

Sponge

Indifferent Electrode

positive probe

HCl, Hydrochloric Acid, Acid

2 by Products

sodium hydroxide/chlorine gas

hydrogen gas

Lye

caustic agent

sodium hydroxide NaOH

Faradays Law

units of lye

amps (ma) x time (s)

Lye Gradient

the concentration of lye produced in the follicle

stronger = closer to probe

weaker = further from probe

Pattern of Destruction

column shape

Units of Lye Chart

Critical Zone

an area that belongs to the needle within the zone where all tissue is 100% destroyed

outside the zone, the tissue is damaged but can survive

Current Density

amount of electrons that flow into a surrounding tissue, affected by:

needle thickness/diameter/shape

intensity/ma/strength

depth: shallow insertions = greater density (moisture)

Current Intensity

strength of a current flowing from the probe into surrounding tissue

Current Duration

length of time it takes for the probe to flow into surrounding tissue

The current may be available along the entire length of the needle

path of destruction

column shaped

moisture gradient

What pole do you use for lye?

negative pole

What happens if you accidentally use a positive pole with steel needles?

It will produce a steel like spot of black oxide in the follicle, hydrochloric acid not only destroys the tissue, but also destroys metal

tattooing

Side effect of acid in the palms of hands

Can produce hydrochloric acid rash/indifferent electrode rash/ erythema

Cataphoresis

postive pole

roller

indifferent electrode produces:

HCl = Acid

inactive

firms skin

soothes skin

reduces redness

calms the skin

Anaphoresis

illegal

negative pole

produces lye - NaOH

active

irritates skin

softens and releases

produces lye

Phoresis

forcing a liquid through an unknown membrane = electrotherapy

Side Effects of Galvanic

mass shocking - multi needle technique

Professor Paul Kree

1916, invented the multi needle technique

Positioning the Handheld Electrode

always choose the shortest electrical path

do not allow the current to flow through metal in the body

if metal in body, choose opposite side

Pros of Galvanic

highest success rate

percentage of regrowth is 0%

inaccurate insertions are unimportant

distorted and wavy follicles can be treated

lye continues to destroy hair follicles even after treatment

Cons of Galvanic

slowest method

number of minutes per hair

client cooperation

lye continues to irritate area

tattooing and indifferent electrode rash

painful

Hair needs to be…

long enough to grasp with forceps

Realistic Expectations

know the desires of your clients

Clean and Prep

with alcohol

Consultation

go over case history and sign consent forms at every appointment

Evaluate the Skin

Moisture Content

Oiliness

Thickness

Sensitivity

Firmness

Things That Effect Treatments

blackheads, healed scars, atrophies, hypertrophies, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, scaling and flaking, acne, ingrown hairs, dermatitis, eczema, cold sores, moles

Healed Scars

scar tissue does not heal as readily as normal tissue

creates a distorted follicle

Ingrown Hairs

try to bring the hair out then treat

if inflamed, do not treat

Moles

send client to dermatologist for a doctors note before treating

Do Not Treat

inflamed ingrown hairs, dermatitis, eczema, or cold sores

African Americans are prone to…

keloids

Muscular Skeletal Syndrome (MSS)

do not twist torso

do not tip shoulders

do not raise elbows

good lighting needed

do not work more than 6 hours

do not put face close to clients skin

Draping

to protect the operator, avoid skin to skin contact

protect the clients modesty to cheat the feeling of security

Acute Injury

early, short, occurs in seconds to several days

Bleeding, Bruise, Erythema, Edema, Heat, Tissue Destroyed, Scab

Bleeding and Bruises

hemorrhage, bleeding under skin

Types of Bruises

Ecchymosis, Petechia, Purpura

Ecchymosis

3D big bruise

oversized needle

over insertion

Petechia

pin point bruise

oversized needle

over insertion

Purpura

laser bruise

Erythema

redness

Edema

swelling lymph

serum leak through tissue wall

Heat

warm to the touch

Tissue Destroyed

white blood cells/leukocytes are released into tissue

phagocytosis - macrophages

Scab

crust, dried serum and dead blood cells

pus, blood, honey

Eschar

honey colors, lymph crust, normal healing

Chronic Injury

late, long, weeks to months

Numbness, Hyperpigmentation, Persistent Red Spots, Blanching

Numbness

lasts 2-3 weeks

Melasma / Cholasma

Mask of Pregnancy

Persistant Red Spots

2 weeks - 7 months

Blanching

over treatment - high frequency

whitening of tissue is cooked beyond recovery

2-4 weeks

Bacterial

Folliculitis = staph = pustules

Impetigo = staph / strep = highly contagious

Boil = pus pocket

Fungal

Ringworm = Tinea

Candida = Yeast Infection

Viral

Herpes = Cold Sores

Flat Warts

How much of the follicle must be killed?

3/4

Dermal Papilla and Matrix

must be destroyed

Matrix

actively dividing cells within the hair bulb

mitosis occurs here

Dermal Papilla

hair receives nourishment, located under the bulb/buldge

the probe is inserted in the underside of the hair

Probe Injury

probe penetratesoutside the root sheath

Chemical Injury

caused by lye

galvanic and blend only

Heat Injury

caused by high frequency

thermolysis and blend only

Visible Scars

pitted scar, dermal contraction, and keloids

Pitted Scar

atrophic

damage to the upper follicle

Dermal Contraction

atrophic

vertical folding

Keloid

hypertrophic

(multiplication of cells)

African Americans are prone

Electrometallic Phenomena

metallic taste in mouth without fillings

indifferent electrode rash - caused by HCl

tattooing - positive pole is used - permanent - black oxide spots

Pregnancy

do not treat breasts

abdomen - third trimester

Diabetes

do not treat lower legs

lack of

Individual Variation

each person is different and each person reacts differently

Indifferent Electrode

anode/HCl

keep the shortest path

The Blend

the combination of electrolysis and thermolysis

uses galvanic and low intensity high frequency current

dual action

direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC)

destroys tissue

Chemical Electrocoagulation

Galvanic: Chemical Decomposition

Thermolysis: Electrocoagulation

Arthur Kinkel and Henri Pierre

invented in 1933

patented in 1948

became popular in 1967

How much lye do you need to destroy tissue with the blend?

¼ of lye

Blend Blowout

caused by HF steam

over treatment is silent

The goal of the Blend

to have the lye be the destructive agent and thermolysis be the supportive agent

Pattern of Destruction

Vase

Thermolysis

killing hair using heat, theraputic effect on hair using heat within the use of alternating current (AC)

Frequency of Epilator

13.56 mhz

Dr. Henri Bordier

1923

first performed thermolysis as a form of hair removal performed in France

Alternating Current

Sinusodial Current

Alternator

Device that produces alternating current

Heat is…

not enough to kill hair

Oscillator

alternating current is changed to high frequency

makes radiation

Hertz (Hz)

unit of frequency

waves per second

Megahertz (mhz)

1 million waves per second

Heinrich Hertz

first scientist to demonstrate the existence of high frequency

Vanzanek

observed organ tissue could be heated by high frequency

Coagulate

congeal or thicken

Dessication

to dry up or deprive of moisture

Electrocoagulation

the process by which heat causes cells to coagulate and become dysfunctional

Tempurature Required to Kill Hair

130 ° F

High Frequency

from 3-30mhz