Electrology and Laser State Exam Review

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering electrology, laser safety, skin anatomy, modalities, and medical conditions based on state exam updates.

Blend Modality

A permanent hair removal modality that combines Thermolysis ($\text{high frequency/alternating current}$) and Galvanic ($\text{direct current}$) working simultaneously and instantaneously to produce a dual action effect.

Anaphoresis

A process performed using the negative cathode during direct current treatment to produce an alkaline effect on the skin, which dilates blood vessels, softens skin, and stimulates nerves.

Cataphoresis

A treatment used after electrolysis to soothe the skin and restore it to normal by neutralizing the sodium hydroxide ($\text{NaOH}$) produced in the follicle.

Point Effect

The localized pattern where heating begins at the tip of an insulated needle during thermolysis.

Acanthosis Nigricans

A skin condition characterized by dark, raised patches in skin folds such as the neck and armpits, commonly associated with obesity and insulin resistance.

Trichostasis Vellus

A condition involving a vellus comedone, defined as a bundle of tiny vellus hairs protruding from a single follicle.

Tombstone

The remnant of a small anagen hair that was left un-epilated inside a treated hair follicle.

Pseudofolliculitis Barbae

A skin disorder marked by infected pustules, inflammatory bumps, and ingrown hairs in the beard area that must be referred to a physician for treatment.

Fluence

The measurement of laser energy density delivered to tissue, expressed in units of $\text{J/cm}^2$.

Clinical Endpoint

The immediate visible appearance or reaction of the skin following a laser or electrology treatment.

Iatrogenic Hirsutism

Excessive hair growth caused as an adverse side effect of taking certain medications, such as Accutane.

Idiopathic Hirsutism

Excessive hair growth that occurs without any identifiable underlying medical cause.

Superfluous Hair

Excess hair growth that is normal for an individual's age and sex but is considered unwanted or socially unacceptable.

Accelerated Vellus

A fine vellus hair that has been stimulated to grow longer, coarser, and deeper into the follicle.

Matrix

The active region at the base of the hair follicle where mitotic cells divide to produce hair growth.

Catagen

The regressive transitional phase of the hair growth cycle during which the club hair begins to form.

Early Anagen

The hair growth stage in which most follicles are found when a client engages in weekly tweezing.

Keloid

A sharply elevated, irregularly shaped, progressively enlarging scar caused by excessive collagen formation in the corium during connective tissue repair.

Tyrosine

An amino acid found in melanocytes required to synthesize melanin, which absorbs energy and scatters UV light to protect skin cells.

Desquamation

The natural shedding process of the outermost epidermal layer, taking an average duration of $28\text{ days}$.

High-Level Disinfection

A disinfection procedure that successfully destroys some, but not all, microbial life forms.

Intermediate-Level Disinfectant

The level of chemical disinfection required for processing non-critical items such as an epilator cord.

Critical Items

Instruments that penetrate tissue or enter sterile areas—such as needles, forceps, and cataphoresis rollers—which must undergo full sterilization.

Tetracycline

A bacteriostatic antibiotic for acne that inhibits bacterial multiplication rather than killing bacteria, known to cause sun sensitivity.

Synapse Fatigue

A sensory nerve fatigue condition where nerve transmission becomes dull and slow, impairing a client's ability to feel pain and increasing the risk of overtreatment.

Oscillator

A component in an epilator machine that converts household alternating current ($\text{AC}$) into high frequency current required for thermolysis.

Volts

The electrical unit used to measure electrical pressure.

Ohm

The electrical unit used to measure resistance to current flow.

Amps

The electrical unit used to measure current strength.

Milliampere

The unit of measurement for galvanic current strength used in electrology, abbreviated as $\text{mA}$.

Perifollicular Erythema and Edema

The standard and expected clinical manifestations on the skin following laser hair removal treatment.

Erythema

Redness of the skin caused by vasodilation of underlying blood vessels.

Edema

Swelling caused by plasma or lymphatic fluid leaking into intercellular tissue spaces.

Water Chromophore

The targeted skin chromophore absorbed at a laser wavelength of $900\,nm$.

Ruby Wavelength

A specific laser wavelength emitted at $694\,nm$.

YAG Wavelength

A specific laser wavelength emitted at $1064\,nm$.

UVA Rays

Ultraviolet light wavelengths spanning $320-400\,nm$ that penetrate deeply into the subcutaneous layer.

UVB Rays

Ultraviolet light wavelengths spanning $290-320\,nm$.

Impetigo

A highly contagious staphylococcus skin infection that spreads to other body regions when touched or scratched.

Hair Follicle Cross-Sections

Follicle cross-sectional shapes that determine hair shape: round produces straight hair, oval produces wavy hair, and flat produces curly hair.

Depth Gauge Measurement

The technique of measuring hair depth from the top of the epidermis to the bottom of the hair bulb.

Epidermis Thickness Measurement

The distance measured from the epidermis to the inner root sheath ($\text{IRS}$).

Pilosebaceous Unit

An anatomical skin structure consisting of the dermal papilla, arrector pili muscle, and sebaceous gland.

Papillary Layer

The superficial layer of the dermis containing collagen, elastin, blood vessels, and nerves that gives skin its elasticity.

Cosmeceuticals

Higher-grade skin care products sold in medical spas or by licensed professionals that do not require a prescription.

Units of Lye Calculation

The total units of sodium hydroxide ($\text{NaOH}$) produced during galvanic electrolysis, calculated by multiplying current intensity by time in seconds (e.g., $3 \times 8 = 24\text{ Units of lye}$).

Type 1 Diabetes

An autoimmune, insulin-dependent form of diabetes.

Gestational Diabetes

A condition characterized by glucose intolerance developed by a woman during pregnancy.

Blanching

Whiteness or blanching of the skin caused by overtreatment and overly shallow needle insertion during electrolysis.