Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to use electrolysis to remove unwanted hair from the face and body.
It requires the ability to establish priorities with clients, synthesise knowledge of skin and hair biology and electric currents, and to design and provide effective hair removal treatments. Treatment outcomes are usually achieved over a program that involves multiple individual treatments.
This unit applies to beauty therapists who work in beauty and hair removal salons. In this environment they exercise judgement in planning and providing an appropriate treatment; demonstrate maturity and confidentiality in their client interactions; and apply knowledge of a range of hair removal methods.
No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Establish client priorities. | 1.1 Access and review client treatment plan if available. 1.2 Discuss client’s hair reduction requirements, changes in hair growth and lifestyle factors to establish treatment objectives. 1.3 Assess hair in treatment site. 1.4 Identify and explain contraindications to treatment, and refer client to appropriate professional as required. 1.5 Review medical history, medication, and obtain medical approval prior to treatment, as required. |
2. Design electrolysis treatment. | 2.1 Discuss outcomes of hair assessment with client. 2.2 Design treatments for a single or series of treatments and discuss benefits and potential adverse effects with client. 2.3 Discuss with client recommendations for duration, frequency and cost of recommended treatments. 2.4 Modify treatment plan, record updates and obtain client consent. |
3. Prepare for electrolysis treatment. | 3.1 Prepare client, self, equipment and products. 3.2 Complete safety check on equipment according to manufacturer instructions. 3.3 Use energy, water and other resources efficiently during preparation and subsequent treatment. |
4. Conduct patch test. | 4.1 Explain physical sensation of treatment to the client. 4.2 Select and cleanse a small area of skin adjacent to treatment area. 4.3 Select sterile probes and open in view of the client. 4.4 Conduct patch test, assess skin reaction and outcomes with client and record results. 4.5 Adjust treatment parameters on treatment plan as required. |
5. Provide electrolysis treatment. | 5.1 Cleanse area of skin to be treated. 5.2 Select sterile probes size and open in front of client. 5.3 Select electrical current type and level, in line with the patch test text parameters. 5.4 Position self throughout treatment to minimise fatigue and risk of injury to self and client. 5.5 Treat unwanted hair applying infection control and skin penetration procedures ensuring no over treatment of any area. 5.6 Ensure client comfort and modesty throughout treatment. 5.7 Monitor client reactions to adjust time and intensity of electric current as required. 5.8 Apply post-treatment care and products to minimise any post treatment skin reactions. |
6. Review treatment and provide post treatment advice. | 6.1 Evaluate treatment with client. 6.2 Record treatment parameters and outcomes of treatment on client treatment plan. 6.3 Provide aftercare advice and recommend products and future treatments. 6.4 Update treatment plan and rebook client as required. |
7. Clean treatment area. | 7.1 Remove used linen and clean treatment surfaces and equipment according to organisational policies and procedures. 7.2 Dispose of probes or needles in sharps container. 7.3 Sterilise any instrument that has come into contact with body fluids. 7.4 Restock equipment and products in preparation for next treatment. 7.5 Dispose of general and hazardous waste to minimise negative environmental impacts and according to organisational policies and procedures. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:
communicate, follow and adjust treatment plans to provide four hair reduction treatments with electrical current causing minimal skin reactions for clients requiring treatment in one or more of the following areas of the face and body:
bikini line
chest
face:
chin
upper lip
sides of face
underarm
provide consecutive electrical epilation treatments for two of the clients as required to achieve treatment objectives
treat the following hair types:
terminal
vellus
blonde, grey and dark hair colours
design, record and maintain treatment plans and records for each of these clients specifying details of:
client feedback and adverse reactions
contraindications and conditions
follicle type and distribution
hair type
outcomes of patch tests, previous and current treatment
post treatment care and products
relevant medical history and medications
skin and hair analysis
treatment duration, areas treated and areas not treated
treatment parameters and probes
demonstrate correct use of the following equipment in hair reduction treatments:
blend
galvanic
thermolysis
demonstrate the following probe insertion techniques for different follicle types:
angle
depth
duration of electrical current
co-ordination of needle and tweezers handling
present self, according to organisational policy
apply health, hygiene and skin penetration regulations and requirements
clean, prepare and maintain service area according to organisational policy.
Evidence of Knowledge
Demonstrated knowledge required to do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:
state or territory and local health, hygiene and skin penetration regulations and requirements relevant to providing hair reduction treatments using electrical currents
infectious disease transmission routes and prevention of infection transmission:
clients with blood borne diseases
contingency procedures for blood and body fluid contact
prevention of blood to blood contact
safe handling and disposal of sharps
infection control procedures and application of standard precautions
definitions and methods of cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation
organisational policies and procedures relevant to the provision of hair reduction treatments using electrical currents:
client record management
equipment use and maintenance
incident reporting
linen use and laundry procedures
personal hygiene and presentation
personal protection equipment
presentation of treatment area
general waste and hazardous waste disposal, including blood spills
work health and safety
legal and insurance liabilities and responsibilities regarding treatments
scope of practice:
when to refer clients to other practitioners
importance of not stating a diagnosis of a contraindication
limitations to electrical epilation treatments
roles of complementary therapist, medical practitioner and endocrinologist
factors that affect treatment planning and client suitability for treatment:
areas treated
client finances
extent of area treated
follicle distribution
pain tolerance
skin healing
skin reactions
effects, benefits, risks and indications for thermolysis, galvanic and blend methods
pilosebaceous unit:
arector pili muscle
sebaceous glands
structural and cellular features of hair follicle and hair:
hair shaft and layers
hair follicles
hair root
hair structure and growth and its relationship to hair removal treatments:
types of hair:
coarse
compound
curved
fine
lanugo
single
straight
terminal – sexual and asexual
vellus
factors effecting hair growth:
diet related diseases
drugs and chemicals
hereditary
hormonal diseases: topical and systematic
hair growth patterns and cycle
influence of hair removal on hair growth
causes and treatment of ingrown hairs
hair growth cycle and variations depending on location and relationship to permanent hair removal
interdependence of body systems and their relationship to a healthy body and skin:
nervous system and its relationship to skin sensations
endocrine and reproductive systems in relationship to hormonal influences on skin, hair and hair growth
cross section of skin
structure, function and distribution of skin glands
production, composition, functions and control of skin gland secretions:
appearance and characteristics of skin types:
dry/alipid/lipid dry
oily/lipid
diffused red skin
normal skin responses to irritation and trauma
phases of skin growth, cell renewal, wound healing and factors affecting epidermal mitosis
origin and evolution of hypertrophic, keloid scars and abnormal scar tissue
genetics of skin disorders
physical appearance of the following and their relationship to hair removal using electrical equipment:
abnormal skin conditions
minor skin blemishes
skin diseases and disorders
Fitzpatrick scale
typical medical treatments, medications and side effects relevant to hair reduction treatments using electrical current
principles and properties of electrical currents and the technology used in hair reduction:
alternating current
direct current
electrical circuits
electrical supply
energy
specialised hair reduction applications:
blend
galvanic
thermolysis
principles and processes of direct and alternating currents:
electrical energy and electron movement
electrolytic process
thermal effect
electrodes
frequency ranges
capacitance
safe practices and management when using electrical currents
factors affecting treatment outcomes of hair removal using electrical equipment:
accurate probing:
duration
angle
depth
causes of skin damage
client pain tolerance
current intensity, duration and method
needle or probe size selection
post treatment equipment options
properties and use of electrical energy, electrostatics and electrical current in hair reduction removal
safe practices and management
safety and client comfort
sources and effects of laser treatment in hair reduction removal
use of alternating current for high frequency treatments
contraindications that prevent or restrict treatment or require clearance from a medical practitioner to proceed and their relationship to electrical current hair removal:
acne
bacteria, fungal, parasitic and viral infections
biological changes:
puberty
menopause
premature ageing
anorexia
anaemia
pregnancy
clients undertaking medical treatment for excess hair growth
diabetes
dilated capillaries
medication that causes abnormal hair growth or skin thinning
metal implants
adverse outcomes of previous hair removal and permanent hair reduction treatments
pacemakers
pigmentation disorders
rashes
scar tissue
skin trauma
sunburn
appearance and management of adverse effects that include:
allergies to treatment products
bleeding from follicles
broken capillaries
bruising
burns to skin
erythema
infections of the hair follicle
inflammation arising from the hair reduction removal treatments
reaction of client to electrical current
scarring
torn skin
sustainable operating procedures for the conservation of product, water and power
post treatment care procedures and advice for specific treatment areas.
Assessment Conditions
Skills must be demonstrated in a beauty industry environment; this can be:
a beauty industry workplace or
a simulated beauty workplace set up for the purpose of skills assessment, that provides services to paying members of the public.
Assessment must ensure access to:
paying clients, both new and regular, with different electrolysis treatment requirements, who have the expectation that the services provided reflect those of a commercial business
hand washing facilities:
basin
hot and cold running water
liquid soap
single use towels or hand dryer
relevant workplace documentation:
blank client records
organisational policies and procedures relevant to the provision of hair reduction treatments
equipment manufacturer instructions
safety data sheets for cleaning products.
Assessment must ensure use of:
alcohol disposable single use skin wipes
cleaning and disinfection products and equipment
client gowns or protective sheets
disposable facial wipes, microlances, spatulas and tissues
disposable needles or probes in sterile packs
sharps container
sterilised small tools and equipment or all equipment to be single use and disposable
tweezers
equipment that provides thermolysis, galvanic, and blend currents for hair reduction
individual work station consisting of:
adjustable treatment table with safe working access to both sides and ends
individual electricity supply
magnifying lamp
operator chair
trolley for products, bowls and equipment
personal protective equipment:
disposable gloves
apron
treatment towels or linen, or disposable linen.
Assessment activities that allow the individual to:
complete hair reduction treatments within commercially realistic speed, timing and productivity
demonstrate competency in an environment reflective of real work situations
manage tasks and contingencies in the context of the job role.
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisation’s requirements for assessors and:
hold a qualification as a beauty therapist
have worked as a beautician or beauty therapist for at least three years where they have applied the skills and knowledge of this unit of competency.
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance in this unit, but not explicit in the performance criteria are listed here, along with a brief context statement. | |
Skill | Description |
Oral communication skills to: | provide simple explanations to clients that describe the physiological processes of electrical epilation treatments on hair follicles discuss treatment contraindications and precautions tactfully reassure client through service. |
Reading skills to: | interpret and follow manufacturer instructions and safety data sheets for safe use of cleaning and treatment products and hair reduction equipment and attachments. |
Numeracy skills to: | calculate treatment parameters, intensity and duration of electric currents, timing and price of treatment. |
Problem solving skills to: | identify problems and modify electric currents to minimise skin damage and client discomfort. |
Technology skills to: | use client software to update client notes, rebook future services, record stock data and product purchases safely use and maintain electrical devices. |
Sectors
Beauty
Competency Field
Hair Reduction Services