ADVANCED COSMETIC PROCEDURES

What are advanced cosmetic procedures?

An Advanced Cosmetic Procedure is an increasingly popular, safe, effective, and hygienic treatment for the removal of unsightly common skin blemishes, giving an immediate and effective result on conditions such as dilated capillaries, thread veins, red veins, spider naevus, blood spots, skin tags, milia, and warts.

There are over 21 different types of blemishes that can be safely and effectively treated using advanced electrolysis.

Treatable skin conditions include:

This specialty treatment uses advanced electrolysis, either Short Wave Diathermy (High Frequency A/C) or Blend (a mixture of A/C and D/C) to treat the unwanted skin blemishes with no mark left on the skin. Improvements in the equipment and techniques for performing electrolysis have come about in recent years. Now, diathermy and the galvanic method are combined to give the best possible results.

Galvanic electrolysis

The galvanic method works by using direct current (DC) electricity. When the needle is inserted, the electricity coming down the needle causes the salt and water in the skin around the probe to be chemically altered. Salt, water, and electricity combine to produce a small amount of sodium hydroxide. If enough is produced, this solution can damage the cells, in particular those that cause hair growth.

Thermolysis/Diathermy/Short Wave Electrolysis

The thermolysis method, also known as diathermy or short wave, works by using an Alternating Current (AC) electricity. This electricity causes the water molecules in the skin around the needle to vibrate, which creates heat. If enough heat is produced, it can damage the cells that it is targeting.

Blend Electrolysis

The Blend Method combines both the Short Wave and Galvanic procedures. Sodium hydroxide is created and is then heated by the electricity. This heat, plus the chemical solution, destroys tissue.

All of the above methods, when used correctly, can lead to the same result.

Although there have been significant improvements in the equipment used, electrolysis, and particularly advanced electrolysis, remains highly dependent on the skill and training of the practitioner. Louise has been performing Electrolysis since 1999 and Advanced Cosmetic Procedures since 2008 so has many years of experience in both treatments.

The length and number of treatments will vary depending on the skin's response and condition. A consultation will be given prior to the treatment to ensure that the client is suitable, and aftercare advice is always given following the treatment .

With ACP, you generally pay for the length of time in which you are treated, which varies depending on the practitioner and the skin condition being targeted.

FAQ

How does Electrolysis work?

The first recorded use of electrolysis in the 19th century used a galvanic treatment method. The use of electrolysis for hair removal continued through the early part of the 20th century. More developments in the field of electrolysis followed, including the use of many needles and a different form of electricity treatment that uses heat damage to destroy the hair follicle. This method is called diathermy, thermolysis, or short wave.

Is the treatment painful?

Pain thresholds vary from person to person and area to area; however, there is some discomfort.

How will the skin look after red vein therapy treatment?

There will be some redness, swelling, itching, and pin-dot crusts that may appear, lasting from 2 days to 2 weeks approximately, depending on the individual's healing ability.

How long will it take to recover from Electrolysis?

No recovery time per se is necessary. You can return to work and normal activities immediately after a treatment.

Depending on the particular skin condition being treated and the size of it, you can expect some post treatment discomfort and scabbing as the area heals.

If the area being treated is on your face, you may wish to plan treatment around social events if you do not wish to attend them before post-treatment healing has completed.

What are the risks and potential complications from Advanced Cosmetic Procedures?

When the treatments are performed correctly, there is little or no chance of permanently marking the skin.

Some clinics recommend, when appropriate, trying a "tester patch" in an area that is not too noticeable in case of an adverse reaction. This also allows you to "experience" the treatment, see the benefits, and allow the practitioner to access your healing rate. This is not a requirement for treatment, though.

With many of the procedures, the appearance may look worse before it looks better, so careful "timing" of the treatment should be considered, particularly if you have any special events on your calendar and the treated area is in a noticeable place, such as on your face.

The Short Wave Diathermy method has always been popular and is still commonly used for many of the procedures, but the Blend method for Telangiectasia, is a more gentle treatment, causing less skin trauma and resulting in quicker healing. You may wish to ask the clinic which method they use.

What should you do after an Advanced Cosmetic Procedure treatment?

To reduce the risk of complications after advanced cosmetic procedures like electrolysis, it is very important to carefully follow your practitioner's instructions.

Post-treatment advice may include:

Who should not have an Electrolysis treatment?

As long as you are generally healthy and don’t have any skin diseases or active infections in the area being treated, there are few medical reasons why patients shouldn't undergo this treatment.

An experienced practitioner will be able to identify if a particular abnormality should not be treated and refer you for further evaluation in cases of suspected malignancies or skin cancers.

Although there is no evidence that this treatment is harmful for pregnant women, you may be advised to wait until after you have given birth before embarking upon treatment.

Who can perform Advanced Cosmetic Procedures using Electrolysis?

Depending on the complexity of the skin condition being treated, this procedure can be performed by any member of the medical profession (Doctors, Nurses, etc.) and suitably advanced, trained, and qualified beauty therapists. If you think you have an undiagnosed dermatological condition, we would recommend seeing a medical professional for treatment.

Telangiectasia - Red Thread Veins

It is most commonly found on the cheeks, on and around the nose, on the upper chest, and on the upper back. People often get dilated capillaries from the sun, smoking, UVA and UVB radiation, or because of their genes.

Spider Veins

Collection of vessels often surrounding a central "blood spot." It is most commonly found on the cheeks, nose, undereye area, upper chest, and back of hands.

Blood Spots

Flat or protruding bright red spots, which can be found anywhere on the face or body.

Milia

Small white cysts are commonly found on the cheeks and under the eyes.

Blocked Oil Glands

Stubbornly blocked oil glands warmed up and were gently extracted. Can also be removed by cleansing and steaming.

Keratosis

Benign oval-shaped, slightly raised, and textured lesions. Usually found on the body and/or face, either coloured or pale.

Stucco Keratosis

Dry and raised, similar to keratosis (above).

Skin Tags

Benign, commonly found on the neck, axilla, and eye area, often increase with age and friction.

Warts

Commonly found on hands, knees, and fingers, they are easily treated without messy "freezing" treatments.

Seborrheic Warts

Benign growths, which are frequently hereditary, appear in middle age and have a crumbly, oily texture on the head, trunk, and extremities.

Age Spots and Pigmentation Marks

Found on the face, head, arms, and hands. Generally, sun induced, hereditary and particularly common in sun-sensitive individuals.

Following treatment, clients will need to:

* This treatment is not appropriate for anyone who is taking blood thinners or has a blood disorder.

How much does treatment cost?

The cost varies between £50 and £150 depending on the type of blemish treated and the time required to treat it.

ADVANCED COSMETIC PROCEDURES

What are advanced cosmetic procedures?

There are over 21 different types of blemishes that can be safely and effectively treated using advanced electrolysis.

Treatable skin conditions include:

Telangiectasia (red veins)

Campbell de Morgans (blood spots)

spider naevi

Minor telangiectasia on the legs

Poikiloderma

Skin tags

Milia

All types of warts, including common, seborrheic, and plantar (verruca)

Hairs from moles and moles themselves

Age spots

Dermatosis papulosa nigra

Small sebaceous cysts

Sebaceous hyperplasia

Sebaceous naevi

Xanthomas

Syringoma

Molluscum contagiosum

Galvanic electrolysis

Thermolysis/Diathermy/Short Wave Electrolysis

The thermolysis method, also known as diathermy or short wave, works by using an Alternating Current (AC) electricity. This electricity causes the water molecules in the skin around the needle to vibrate, which creates heat. If enough heat is produced, it can damage the cells that it is targeting.

Blend Electrolysis

The Blend Method combines both the Short Wave and Galvanic procedures. Sodium hydroxide is created and is then heated by the electricity. This heat, plus the chemical solution, destroys tissue.

All of the above methods, when used correctly, can lead to the same result.

The length and number of treatments will vary depending on the skin's response and condition. A consultation will be given prior to the treatment to ensure that the client is suitable, and aftercare advice is always given following the treatment .

With ACP, you generally pay for the length of time in which you are treated, which varies depending on the practitioner and the skin condition being targeted.

​

FAQ

How does Electrolysis work?

Is the treatment painful?

Pain thresholds vary from person to person and area to area; however, there is some discomfort.

How will the skin look after red vein therapy treatment?

There will be some redness, swelling, itching, and pin-dot crusts that may appear, lasting from 2 days to 2 weeks approximately, depending on the individual's healing ability.

How long will it take to recover from Electrolysis?

No recovery time per se is necessary. You can return to work and normal activities immediately after a treatment.

Depending on the particular skin condition being treated and the size of it, you can expect some post treatment discomfort and scabbing as the area heals.

If the area being treated is on your face, you may wish to plan treatment around social events if you do not wish to attend them before post-treatment healing has completed.

What are the risks and potential complications from Advanced Cosmetic Procedures?

When the treatments are performed correctly, there is little or no chance of permanently marking the skin.

With many of the procedures, the appearance may look worse before it looks better, so careful "timing" of the treatment should be considered, particularly if you have any special events on your calendar and the treated area is in a noticeable place, such as on your face.

The Short Wave Diathermy method has always been popular and is still commonly used for many of the procedures, but the Blend method for Telangiectasia, is a more gentle treatment, causing less skin trauma and resulting in quicker healing. You may wish to ask the clinic which method they use.

What should you do after an Advanced Cosmetic Procedure treatment?

To reduce the risk of complications after advanced cosmetic procedures like electrolysis, it is very important to carefully follow your practitioner's instructions.

Post-treatment advice may include:

applying an antiseptic cream after treatment;

cleaning and protecting the treated area to avoid infection;

not exposing yourself to the sun without applying a high-factor sunblock to the treated area.

Who should not have an Electrolysis treatment?

As long as you are generally healthy and don’t have any skin diseases or active infections in the area being treated, there are few medical reasons why patients shouldn't undergo this treatment.

An experienced practitioner will be able to identify if a particular abnormality should not be treated and refer you for further evaluation in cases of suspected malignancies or skin cancers.

Although there is no evidence that this treatment is harmful for pregnant women, you may be advised to wait until after you have given birth before embarking upon treatment.

Who can perform Advanced Cosmetic Procedures using Electrolysis?

Telangiectasia - Red Thread Veins

It is most commonly found on the cheeks, on and around the nose, on the upper chest, and on the upper back. People often get dilated capillaries from the sun, smoking, UVA and UVB radiation, or because of their genes.

Spider Veins

Collection of vessels often surrounding a central "blood spot." It is most commonly found on the cheeks, nose, undereye area, upper chest, and back of hands.

Blood Spots

Flat or protruding bright red spots, which can be found anywhere on the face or body.

Milia

Small white cysts are commonly found on the cheeks and under the eyes.

Blocked Oil Glands

Stubbornly blocked oil glands warmed up and were gently extracted. Can also be removed by cleansing and steaming.

Keratosis

Benign oval-shaped, slightly raised, and textured lesions. Usually found on the body and/or face, either coloured or pale.

Stucco Keratosis

Dry and raised, similar to keratosis (above).

Skin Tags

Benign, commonly found on the neck, axilla, and eye area, often increase with age and friction.

Warts

Commonly found on hands, knees, and fingers, they are easily treated without messy "freezing" treatments.

Seborrheic Warts

Benign growths, which are frequently hereditary, appear in middle age and have a crumbly, oily texture on the head, trunk, and extremities.

Age Spots and Pigmentation Marks

Found on the face, head, arms, and hands. Generally, sun induced, hereditary and particularly common in sun-sensitive individuals.

Following treatment, clients will need to:

Avoid sunbathing for 4 weeks.

Apply sun block for 4 weeks.