The electrolytic removal of hair does not stimulate the growth of the finer hairs of the skin; that general belief has been erroneous.
Where there is considerable hair to be removed, as with a beard on a woman’s face, several sittings may be given a week and at different parts of the face, but with the average patient only one sitting should be given each week.
More or less edema follows the removal of hair, which may remain for a day or more. Warm applications will help to remove it.
The operator should at no time state a definite fee to remove the hair on the face, unless he is certain of the number present. Such judgment is, indeed, very misleading.
REMOVAL OF MOLES OR OTHER FACIAL GROWTHS
Moles, warts, fibromata, fungoids, and other excrescences are best removed with this method, especially where they are of the nonpedunculated type. It is hardly necessary to state that very light currents should be used for the light flat growths, such as a dark freckle or a small yellow mole. The amount of current required varies from 6 to 24 milliampères, according to the size of the body to be removed.
The same procedure as with the removal of hairs is followed. Positive electrode in the hand of the patient, negative pole to the needle holder. The needle is thrust through the growth on a plane with the skin and slightly above it. The current will at once produce a pale color in the mass and white froth will issue about the shaft of the needle. A comparatively greater amount of current is needed for this purpose than with the destruction of hairs. The operator must judge the amount and time required from experience.
The mass is punctured in stellate fashion to assure an even necrosis, as shown in [Fig. 518].