Electrolysis Skin Tag, Milia, Wart & Hair Removal

Milia are very small, raised, pearly-white or yellowish bumps on the skin. They are most often seen on the skin around the cheeks, nose, eyes and eyelids, forehead and chest. They develop when skin flakes become trapped under the surface of your skin or when keratin builds up and gets trapped. Milia are harmless however they can make you feel self-conscious and make make-up application more difficult.

Skin tags are small, soft, skin-coloured growths that hang off the skin and look a bit like warts on stalks. Skin tags are made of loose collagen fibres and blood vessels surrounded by skin. Skin tags are very common and mostly occur around the face, neck, armpits, groin and abdomen.

In the young skin tags are often caused by jewelry or clothing rubbing in the area. Pregnant women may also be more likely to develop skin tags as a result of changes in their hormone levels. As you age skin tags are more common in people who are obese or have type 2 diabetes.

Moles can appear anywhere on your skin and can be either alone or in groups. Most moles appear in early childhood and can increase during the first 30 years of life. It is normal to have between 10 – 30 moles by adulthood. With age, some moles may not change while some moles can change slowly, becoming raised and/or changing colour.

The appearance of a new mole or a change in size, shape or colour of an existing mole could be an indication of Melanoma and you should seek advice from your GP.

Common warts are grainy skin growths that are rough to touch and most often occur on your fingers or hands. Sometime they feature a pattern of tiny black dots, which are small clotted blood vessels.

Plantar warts are growths that usually appear on your heels or other weight-bearing areas of your feet. This pressure may also cause plantar warts to grow inward beneath a hard, thick layer of skin.

Common and plantar warts are caused by a virus and can be transmitted by touch, but non-cancerous.

Seborrhoeic warts are harmless growths on the skin that are common in the elderly. They are often pigmented. They tend to run in families, so genes may be a cause. Normal skin ageing plays a role because the growths are more common with age, but too much sun exposure may also play a role.

We use four forms of electrolysis treatment, all of which use disposable sterile electrolysis probes inserted into the skin or hair follicle.

Galvanic Electrolysis

Galvanic electrolysis uses a tiny DC electrical current. When the sterile probe is inserted, the electricity from the probe causes a chemical reaction in the salt and water of the skin surrounding the probe which produces a small amount of sodium hydroxide. The sodium hydroxide destroys the cells being targeted and in particular those that cause hair growth.

Thermolysis  / Diathermy / Short Wave Electrolysis

Thermolysis electrolysis, also known as diathermy or short wave, uses a tiny AC electrical current. This procedure uses heat and cauterisation to treat hair and skin blemishes.

Blend Electrolysis

This method combines Galvanic and Thermolysis procedures, so sodium hydroxide and heat are combined to destroy cells.

At your consultation a test patch will be performed to gauge your skin's reaction to the treatment and use this to determine a treatment plan. If you need multiple treatments sufficient space will be left between each to allow your skin to recover.  The number of treatments required will vary depending on the proliferation of the skin concern.

Immediately after treatment the treated area will be red and feel hot. A dressing may be applied to promote skin recovery.  During recovery you should apply, with fresh cotton pads, the Aloe Vera gel to soothe and promote healing.

You can return to work and normal activities immediately after a treatment, but you should avoid for 48 hours: extreme temperatures, swimming pools, spas and skin sensitisers such as perfume, fake tan and jewellery on the area.