1
ELECTROLYSIS IBEC & LASER STATE BOARD PRACTICE
TEST 2026/2027 | International Board of Electrology
Certification | State Licensing Complete Solutions |
Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Electrology Modalities (Galvanic, Thermolysis, Blend) (Q1-20)
Q1. A client presents with coarse, deeply rooted terminal hairs on the chin. The
electrologist wants to maximize destruction of the papilla with minimal surrounding
tissue irritation. Which modality is most appropriate?
A. High-intensity flash thermolysis only
B. Galvanic electrolysis or Blend
C. Microflash thermolysis only
D. Short-wave diathermy without electrolysis
B. Galvanic electrolysis or Blend [CORRECT]
Rationale: Galvanic electrolysis produces sodium hydroxide (lye) via DC current that
chemically destroys deep, coarse bulbs thoroughly; Blend adds thermolysis heat to
accelerate the process. Flash thermolysis alone may inadequately destroy very coarse,
deep bulbs.
Correct Answer: B
Q2. Galvanic electrolysis utilizes which type of electrical current to produce a
chemical reaction in the hair follicle?
A. Alternating current (AC)
B. Direct current (DC)
C. Radiofrequency current
D. Pulsed electromagnetic current
B. Direct current (DC) [CORRECT]
,2
Rationale: Galvanic electrolysis uses DC to electrolyze tissue fluids, producing sodium
hydroxide at the cathode that destroys the follicle. AC is used in thermolysis, not
galvanic.
Correct Answer: B
Q3. A client has fine, shallow vellus hairs on the upper lip and desires quick treatment
with minimal post-treatment swelling. Which modality is most appropriate?
A. Multiple-needle galvanic at high intensity
B. Blend with a high galvanic component
C. Flash thermolysis (microflash)
D. DC galvanic only
C. Flash thermolysis (microflash) [CORRECT]
Rationale: Fine, shallow hairs respond optimally to brief, high-frequency AC bursts
that rapidly coagulate the follicle with minimal collateral tissue damage and swelling.
Galvanic or high-blend treatments are unnecessarily aggressive for fine vellus hair.
Correct Answer: C
Q4. In galvanic electrolysis, the cathode (negative electrode) produces which tissue-
destroying chemical at the follicle?
A. Hydrochloric acid
B. Sodium hydroxide (lye)
C. Hydrogen peroxide
D. Sodium chloride crystals
B. Sodium hydroxide (lye) [CORRECT]
Rationale: DC electrolysis of tissue salts and water generates sodium hydroxide (lye)
at the cathode, which is highly caustic and destroys the hair germ and dermal papilla.
The anode produces acid, which is less effective.
,3
Correct Answer: B
Q5. An electrologist is treating a client with curved follicles in the bikini area where
the bulb lies deep and lateral to the follicle opening. Which modality best
accommodates curved follicles while ensuring thorough destruction?
A. High-speed thermolysis only
B. Galvanic or Blend
C. Laser hair removal exclusively
D. Waxing between electrolysis sessions
B. Galvanic or Blend [CORRECT]
Rationale: Galvanic lye flows along the follicle canal and around curves to reach the
bulb regardless of angulation, whereas thermolysis heat travels more linearly and
may miss laterally displaced bulbs in curved follicles.
Correct Answer: B
Q6. Thermolysis operates using which type of current to generate heat for
coagulating tissue?
A. Direct current (DC)
B. Alternating current (AC) at high frequency
C. Low-frequency pulsed DC
D. Static electricity
B. Alternating current (AC) at high frequency [CORRECT]
Rationale: Thermolysis uses high-frequency AC (radiofrequency) to oscillate water
molecules, producing frictional heat that coagulates proteins in the follicle. DC is
used for galvanic chemical action.
Correct Answer: B
, 4
Q7. A client with a cardiac pacemaker requests permanent hair removal on the upper
arms. Which modality is absolutely contraindicated?
A. Thermolysis
B. Blend
C. Galvanic electrolysis
D. All modalities are equally safe
C. Galvanic electrolysis [CORRECT]
Rationale: The DC current in galvanic electrolysis can interfere with pacemaker
function and is contraindicated. Thermolysis (AC) may be permissible with physician
clearance, but pure galvanic is prohibited.
Correct Answer: C
Q8. The Blend modality combines which two tissue destruction mechanisms?
A. Chemical dissolution and mechanical extraction
B. Galvanic chemical action (lye) and thermolysis heat coagulation
C. Cryotherapy and thermotherapy
D. Photocoagulation and radiofrequency
B. Galvanic chemical action (lye) and thermolysis heat coagulation [CORRECT]
Rationale: Blend synchronizes or sequences DC (galvanic lye production) with AC
(thermolysis heat), creating both chemical and thermal destruction in the follicle.
Correct Answer: B
Q9. A client has very sensitive skin and experiences prolonged erythema after
galvanic treatments. The hairs are medium depth and density. Which adjustment is
best?
A. Increase galvanic current to shorten treatment time
B. Switch to flash thermolysis or reduce the galvanic ratio in Blend
ELECTROLYSIS IBEC & LASER STATE BOARD PRACTICE
TEST 2026/2027 | International Board of Electrology
Certification | State Licensing Complete Solutions |
Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Electrology Modalities (Galvanic, Thermolysis, Blend) (Q1-20)
Q1. A client presents with coarse, deeply rooted terminal hairs on the chin. The
electrologist wants to maximize destruction of the papilla with minimal surrounding
tissue irritation. Which modality is most appropriate?
A. High-intensity flash thermolysis only
B. Galvanic electrolysis or Blend
C. Microflash thermolysis only
D. Short-wave diathermy without electrolysis
B. Galvanic electrolysis or Blend [CORRECT]
Rationale: Galvanic electrolysis produces sodium hydroxide (lye) via DC current that
chemically destroys deep, coarse bulbs thoroughly; Blend adds thermolysis heat to
accelerate the process. Flash thermolysis alone may inadequately destroy very coarse,
deep bulbs.
Correct Answer: B
Q2. Galvanic electrolysis utilizes which type of electrical current to produce a
chemical reaction in the hair follicle?
A. Alternating current (AC)
B. Direct current (DC)
C. Radiofrequency current
D. Pulsed electromagnetic current
B. Direct current (DC) [CORRECT]
,2
Rationale: Galvanic electrolysis uses DC to electrolyze tissue fluids, producing sodium
hydroxide at the cathode that destroys the follicle. AC is used in thermolysis, not
galvanic.
Correct Answer: B
Q3. A client has fine, shallow vellus hairs on the upper lip and desires quick treatment
with minimal post-treatment swelling. Which modality is most appropriate?
A. Multiple-needle galvanic at high intensity
B. Blend with a high galvanic component
C. Flash thermolysis (microflash)
D. DC galvanic only
C. Flash thermolysis (microflash) [CORRECT]
Rationale: Fine, shallow hairs respond optimally to brief, high-frequency AC bursts
that rapidly coagulate the follicle with minimal collateral tissue damage and swelling.
Galvanic or high-blend treatments are unnecessarily aggressive for fine vellus hair.
Correct Answer: C
Q4. In galvanic electrolysis, the cathode (negative electrode) produces which tissue-
destroying chemical at the follicle?
A. Hydrochloric acid
B. Sodium hydroxide (lye)
C. Hydrogen peroxide
D. Sodium chloride crystals
B. Sodium hydroxide (lye) [CORRECT]
Rationale: DC electrolysis of tissue salts and water generates sodium hydroxide (lye)
at the cathode, which is highly caustic and destroys the hair germ and dermal papilla.
The anode produces acid, which is less effective.
,3
Correct Answer: B
Q5. An electrologist is treating a client with curved follicles in the bikini area where
the bulb lies deep and lateral to the follicle opening. Which modality best
accommodates curved follicles while ensuring thorough destruction?
A. High-speed thermolysis only
B. Galvanic or Blend
C. Laser hair removal exclusively
D. Waxing between electrolysis sessions
B. Galvanic or Blend [CORRECT]
Rationale: Galvanic lye flows along the follicle canal and around curves to reach the
bulb regardless of angulation, whereas thermolysis heat travels more linearly and
may miss laterally displaced bulbs in curved follicles.
Correct Answer: B
Q6. Thermolysis operates using which type of current to generate heat for
coagulating tissue?
A. Direct current (DC)
B. Alternating current (AC) at high frequency
C. Low-frequency pulsed DC
D. Static electricity
B. Alternating current (AC) at high frequency [CORRECT]
Rationale: Thermolysis uses high-frequency AC (radiofrequency) to oscillate water
molecules, producing frictional heat that coagulates proteins in the follicle. DC is
used for galvanic chemical action.
Correct Answer: B
, 4
Q7. A client with a cardiac pacemaker requests permanent hair removal on the upper
arms. Which modality is absolutely contraindicated?
A. Thermolysis
B. Blend
C. Galvanic electrolysis
D. All modalities are equally safe
C. Galvanic electrolysis [CORRECT]
Rationale: The DC current in galvanic electrolysis can interfere with pacemaker
function and is contraindicated. Thermolysis (AC) may be permissible with physician
clearance, but pure galvanic is prohibited.
Correct Answer: C
Q8. The Blend modality combines which two tissue destruction mechanisms?
A. Chemical dissolution and mechanical extraction
B. Galvanic chemical action (lye) and thermolysis heat coagulation
C. Cryotherapy and thermotherapy
D. Photocoagulation and radiofrequency
B. Galvanic chemical action (lye) and thermolysis heat coagulation [CORRECT]
Rationale: Blend synchronizes or sequences DC (galvanic lye production) with AC
(thermolysis heat), creating both chemical and thermal destruction in the follicle.
Correct Answer: B
Q9. A client has very sensitive skin and experiences prolonged erythema after
galvanic treatments. The hairs are medium depth and density. Which adjustment is
best?
A. Increase galvanic current to shorten treatment time
B. Switch to flash thermolysis or reduce the galvanic ratio in Blend
