Advanced cosmetic procedures (also known as Advanced Electrolysis) is the new adaption of a well established and safety proven treatment namely Electrolysis. This is an increasingly popular, effective and hygienic method to remove a number of unsightly skin blemishes. Electrolysis is best known for its abilities to remove unwanted hair using an electrical current within the follicle to cauterise the blood supply, killing the hair at the root and permanently removing it. Electrolysis was originally created in the early 1900s to treat ingrown hairs, spider naevi, xanthoma (yellow fatty substances commonly found around the eyes) and port wine marks, so you can imagine how far treatment has progressed since then.

There are now over 21 different types of blemishes that can safely and effectively be treated using advanced electrolysis with out the need for surgery and very little recovery time. The treatment itself is a little uncomfortable but easily tolerated. There are minimal after effects, with a little tightness and scabbing to be expected. A consultation will be carried out to ensure the client is suitable for treatment and to establish an appropriate treatment plan. After care will be given after treatment.

Mole Reduction	30 mins	£75
Wart Removal	30 mins	£75
Seborrhoeic Keratosis	30 mins	£75
Skin Tag Removal	30 mins	£75
Verruca Treatment	30 mins	£75
Milia Removal	15 mins	£35
Red Veins	30 mins	£75
Spider Naevus	30 mins	£75
Blood Spots	30 mins	£75
Syringoma	30 mins	£75
Age Spots	30 mins	£75
Xanthelasma	30 mins	£75
Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra	30 mins	£75

Telangiectasis

The name originates from Greece and means ‘end vessel dilation’. Often referred to as ‘broken capillaries’ which is not correct, they are actually permanently dilated capillaries. The thin, singular cell wall structure of the fine facial capillaries dilate and constrict constantly in order to control the body temperature and their elasticity weakens and they can become permanently dilated. This is then exacerbated by the skin naturally breaking down as we age and the supporting network of collagen and elastin being less efficient.

Telangiectasia can appear due to a number of contributing factors including: hereditary and genetic causes, pregnancy, ageing, hormones, general skin fragility, extreme sports, smoking, temperature extremes and harsh weather exposure. They are very commonly seen in a English rose complexion on a more mature client.

We recommend a course of advanced electrolysis for telangiectasia so that treatments can be spaced out to allow for skin healing and to prevent hyper-pigmentation. Both Thermolysis (Heat) and blend methods can be used, but the latter is only taught by a few specialists in this field. Diathermy is more commonly used, which involves a very accurate positioning of the probe over the blood vessel and a gentle tap that applies current to the skin’s surface. This causes that tiny section of vessel to immediately disappear. Treatment sessions are usually for example 15 minutes per cheek.  

Although not considered a cause of telangiectasia, rosacea (and the medication for it) may be a related factor, with the two conditions often presenting simultaneously. Reducing the appearance of the blood vessels using electrolysis may initially trigger a rosacea attack. However this is relatively rare and only a temporary consequence of the long-term positive results. 

Campbell de Morgan Spots

Named after Campbell Grieg De Morgan (1811-1876) a British surgeon who was the first to note them, in medical literature these vascular blemishes are also known as Cherry Angioma or Blood Spots. They present themselves as slightly raised or dome shaped and are of unknown origin. They are mostly seen on the trunk in middle aged and elderly clients and are even more common in men than women. They are treated with Diathermy only. Larger ones (50p size+) will need more than one treatment. Smaller ones often disappear at time of treatment.

Spider Naevus

Spider Naevus is a central dilated blood vessel, with smaller capillaries coming from it like spider legs. They can be individual isolated blemishes or can be multiple in areas such as the cheeks or chest area. They can, if apparent in isolation, be a result of a trauma to the skin, for example a child following a minor mishap such as bumping into an object, can develop a spider naevus in the traumatised area. Certain conditions can make them worse including extreme heat and cold, obesity, pregnancy, stress or pressure on the area. Several spider naevus appearing spontaneously is a cause for concern as it might indicate liver disease. They can be treated with Blend or Diathermy methods although they can be quite resilient and more than one treatment may be necessary.

Skin Tags (Fibroepithelial polyp/papilloma) 

Skin Tags are a common fibrous skin condition often found in areas of friction such as the armpits, under the breasts, groin or around the neck where necklaces or collars may irritate. Derived from epithelial cells and consisting of loose fibrous tissue they form single or multiple distributions and are often hyper-pigmented making them more obvious. They often present with a neck like a mushroom and vary in size from a tiny speck, smaller than a grain of uncooked rice, to the size of a large pea or larger. They are viral in nature (Human Papilloma Virus HPV) and whilst not infectious they can proliferate on individuals with some people suffering from hundreds of them. 

Skin Tags are very easily treated using advanced electrolysis techniques and whether they are tiny ones between the eyelashes or large ones under the arms there is one of the advanced electrolysis techniques suitable for them. Areas of friction such as the under the breasts and under folds of skin are very common areas to find these irritating blemishes. Advanced electrolysis is probably the quickest, easiest way of removing the problem in a safe and effective manner.  

There are three different methods of skin tag removal for different types of tags and location:

1. For treatment of tags between the eyelashes, or for tiny tags around the neck or under the arms, the probe is gently rested on the skin tag and the current released. The heat generated causes the tag to stick to the probe and then just lifts off as if being melted from the skin. When performed correctly this method takes only seconds per tag removal. 

2. When the location of the tag renders treatment difficult, another method involves insertion of the probe and then the application of current for a number of seconds to cut off the blood supply, which results in the tag immediately shrivelling and eventually (a day or two later) being sloughed off. 

3. A third method involves supporting the tag with tweezers and using the very tip of the probe to continually tap away at the neck of the tag, which results in the immediate removal of the skin tag. Treatment is very fast and effective, taking only seconds depending on the size of the skin tag. The procedure is only a little uncomfortable with some people experiencing no discomfort at all.

With all methods of removal the skin has to go through a healing process and you should expect some scabbing and healing for anywhere between 2 weeks and 3 months depending on the area treated and your skin healing process. The image to the left shows skin tags before and eight months after the clients last treatment. Multiple treatments may be required. 

Milia

Lying very superficially under the epidermis, milia present themselves as small white lipid-epithelium plugs which contain lamellated keratin deposits and often show as hard, solid lumps lying in the superficial papillary dermis. They are a retention of keratin and sebaceous material within the pilosebaceous duct, eccrine sweat duct, or the sebaceous collar surrounding vellus hair. Their exact cause is unknown although they are often related to diet with a high cholesterol count, excessive Vitamin C, too rich moisturising cream and are also associated with dry skin which can be acidic. They can all be treated easily with advanced electrolysis techniques using diathermy (AC) which gently dries them up so that the hard keratinised centre is broken down and this will then be absorbed by the skin following treatment. This is a much gentler way to treat them, as opposed to removing them with a microlance, which can damage the skin. Milia can appear between the eyelashes, on the eyelid itself, the cheek area or anywhere on the face or neck where dry skin is present. They tend to grow in size, become harder (as the contents keratinize) and then become noticeable to the eye and cosmetically unattractive. Some people may only suffer one and others exhibit a proliferation of up to 40 – 60 of them at any one time.  

Warts

There are various types of warts, including flat (plane) raised (common) and verrucas (plantar – on the feet). They are benign epidermal tumours which are contagious (human papilloma virus) and all can be treated. Warts can develop individually or in clusters and can spontaneously disappear.  Plane or flat warts occur mostly on the face, backs of hands and wrists. Hygiene must be of the highest importance to avoid cross infection and if not treated they may spread. Treatment is performed using diathermy.

Verruca

A verruca usually occurs on feet and toes and can be uncomfortable and painful. They easily spread to other people so need to be covered up and can be treated. 

A verruca is a wart on the foot caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Verrucas can be contagious and transmitted through direct person-to-person contact. They tend to be common in children, teenagers, young adults and people who use communal changing rooms.

When the skin gets very wet it loses its suppleness and flexibility which can cause tiny cracks and splits to occur. These breaks in the skin make it easier for the verruca virus to penetrate the skin. This happens through direct skin to skin contact or indirect contact with contaminated surfaces. The verruca virus thrives in warm moist environments such as swimming pools, changing rooms and bathrooms. 

We use an advanced electrolysis technique (ACP/Advanced Cosmetic Procedures) to treat the verruca or verrucas and then review again after 3-4 months as it can take this long for the bodies immuno response to kick in and start to fight the virus. We would then assess the area and decide whether a second or third treatment may be required.

Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra

Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra is particular to black skin and is a common papular disorder which develops in adolescence. The lesions are histologically identical to seborrhoea keratosis and present as smooth, dome shaped, brown to black papules seen mainly on the cheeks, neck and upper chest. These are generally a very common disorder and the famous actor Morgan Freeman has many of these on his face. They are very easily and successfully treated using diathermy and advanced electrolysis techniques.

We usually carry out a small patch test area to check how the skin heals and if this is successful we will then book you in for the rest of the blemishes to be treated.

Seborrheic Keratosis

A seborrheic keratosis (seb-o-REE-ik ker-uh-TOE-sis) are a common noncancerous skin growth. You are more likely to develop them as you get older.

Seborrheic keratoses can vary in colour and size but they are usually brown, black or light tan. The growths can look waxy, scaly and slightly raised. They usually appear on the head, neck, chest or back.

Seborrheic keratoses are harmless and not contagious. but you may decide to have them removed if they become irritated by clothing or you don’t like how they look.

You’re generally more likely to develop seborrheic keratoses if you’re over age 50. You’re also more likely to have them if you have a family history of the condition.

We use an advanced electrolysis method to remove the seborrheic keratosis. The skin then has to go through a healing process which can take anything from two weeks to 3 months and there may be a small amount of pigment left once the skin has completely healed.