To start the heating pattern at the point of the probe in an electrolysis modality, you must use which of the following?

To start the heating pattern at the point of the probe in an electrolysis modality, you must use which of the following?

• A. Low frequency alternating current
• B. Shortwave, high frequency, or thermolysis
• C. Direct current only
• D. No current at all

Answer: (B)

Heating at the probe tip is achieved by thermolysis, which uses high-frequency alternating current (shortwave) to rapidly heat the tissue right at the needle. This localized energy deposition coagulates and destroys the hair follicle at the point of insertion. Direct current produces a chemical reaction at the tip (alkaline byproducts) rather than focused heating, so the heating pattern at the tip doesn’t start with that modality. Low-frequency current wouldn’t create the precise, rapid heating needed, and having no current would produce no heating at all. Therefore, the modality that starts heating at the tip is shortwave, high frequency, or thermolysis.

Heating at the probe tip is achieved by thermolysis, which uses high-frequency alternating current (shortwave) to rapidly heat the tissue right at the needle. This localized energy deposition coagulates and destroys the hair follicle at the point of insertion. Direct current produces a chemical reaction at the tip (alkaline byproducts) rather than focused heating, so the heating pattern at the tip doesn’t start with that modality. Low-frequency current wouldn’t create the precise, rapid heating needed, and having no current would produce no heating at all. Therefore, the modality that starts heating at the tip is shortwave, high frequency, or thermolysis.