Skin Blemish Removal

At Mouth Matters, when we talk about ACP, we mean the thermolysis method of advanced electrolysis, also known as diathermy or short wave, which works by using an Alternating Current (AC) of electricity to treat skin blemishes.

In the case of blemishes such as facial veins, blood spots and spider naevus, this electricity is introduced to the line of the visible capillary using the finest probe possible (about the size of an eyelash). This electrical current causes the water molecules in the skin around the needle to vibrate and create heat. If enough heat is produced, it can damage the cells that it is targeting, causing the vein to collapse and break down. Some small skin blemishes disappear as they are being treated.

In the case of skin tags, warts and other raised blemishes, we aim to destroy the vessels feeding the blemish as, by starving the skin tag of nourishment, it will eventually die and disappear.

ACP can be used to treat many common skin blemishes anywhere on the body. These blemishes include:

• Facial thread veins – These are permanently dilated capillaries, which can be caused by ageing, genetics, hormonal changes, smoking, energetic exercise, skin fragility, and extreme weather conditions.
• Blood spots – These are bright red vascular blemishes which lie just under the surface of the skin. They tend to be dome shaped or slightly raised and are frequently found on the midriff, back or front.
• Spider Naevus – A Spider Naevus is a central dilated blood vessel with smaller capillaries radiating from it like the legs of a spider. They can be found in isolation or gathered together in clumps on areas such as the cheeks.
• Skin tags – Skin tags are very common and most frequently found on the face and neck. They can vary in size, from a tiny speck to the size of a pea or even larger. You may also develop skin tags in areas of friction, such as the underarm, groin, under the breasts, or around the neck where necklaces can irritate.
• Milia – These are tiny white lumps containing keratin, which lie superficially under the skin. Their exact cause is unknown, although they are often associated with dry skin.
• Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra – This is a common skin disorder that tends to develop during adolescence on black skin and is identified by smooth, dome-shaped, brown to black papules seen mainly on the cheeks, neck and upper chest. In fact, there are now over 21 different types of blemishes that can be safely and effectively treated using this approach.

With smaller blemishes, the results are immediately obvious. Normally, it is not necessary to have repeat treatments once an abnormality has been treated, however if you are prone to a particular skin condition formation then new ‘lumps’ may appear in the future which themselves can be treated.

A course of advanced electrolysis is often advised for telangiectasia (spider veins) so that treatments can be spaced out to prevent skin damage or hyper-pigmentation. Some conditions can be quite resilient and more than one treatment may be necessary. We will be able to advise you on this once we’ve noted your initial response to treatment.

The first records of electrolysis being used to treat skin blemishes date back to 1910, so ACP/Short Wave Diathermy is backed by a long record of proven use. Although there have been significant improvements in the equipment used, electrolysis and particularly advanced electrolysis remains highly dependent on the skill and training of the practitioner. Choosing an experienced practitioner like Dr. Tschoepe who has a proven history of successful treatments is important to minimise the risk of side effects.

The most common side effects of this treatment are a slight redness and scabbing at the site of the treated blemish. As the scabbing can be noticeable for a few days, you may want to time your treatment for when you can have some downtime, and definitely not before a big night out or special event.

We will give you detailed aftercare instructions to follow to give you the best outcomes of your treatment. Typically, we will advise you to:

• Apply an antiseptic cream after treatment
• Clean and protect the treated area to avoid infection
• Avoid sun exposure and wear a high factor sunblock (SPF 30+)