ELECTROLYSIS & LASER STATE BOARD
PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) WITH
RATIONALES 2025
1. What is the main principle behind electrolysis hair removal?
A) Mechanical cutting of hair
B) Destruction of the hair follicle by chemical reaction caused by electric current
C) Cooling the hair follicle
D) Heating the surface of the skin
Rationale: Electrolysis works by using an electric current to produce a chemical
reaction (lysis) that destroys the hair follicle permanently.
2. Which type of current is used in galvanic electrolysis?
A) Alternating Current (AC)
B) Direct Current (DC)
C) Radio Frequency (RF)
D) Pulsed Light
,Rationale: Galvanic electrolysis uses direct current to produce chemical changes
that destroy the hair follicle.
3. What is the main active chemical produced during galvanic electrolysis?
A) Sulfuric acid
B) Sodium hydroxide (lye)
C) Hydrochloric acid
D) Alcohol
Rationale: The direct current in galvanic electrolysis causes the breakdown of
saline in the tissue to produce sodium hydroxide (lye), which destroys the follicle.
4. Which laser wavelength is most commonly used for hair removal on light to
medium skin tones?
A) 1064 nm (Nd:YAG)
B) 755 nm (Alexandrite)
C) 810 nm (Diode)
D) 532 nm (KTP)
Rationale: Alexandrite lasers at 755 nm are effective for hair removal on light to
medium skin tones due to their high melanin absorption and skin penetration
depth.
5. Which skin type according to the Fitzpatrick scale is most sensitive to laser
treatments?
,A) Type I (very fair skin)
B) Type III (medium skin)
C) Type IV (olive skin)
D) Type VI (dark skin)
Rationale: Type I skin burns easily and has little melanin, making it more sensitive
to laser treatments and more prone to side effects like burns.
6. Which is a contraindication for both electrolysis and laser hair removal?
A) Pregnancy
B) Use of photosensitive medication
C) Diabetes
D) Recent sunburn
Rationale: Photosensitive medications increase the risk of adverse reactions to
laser light and electrical currents, making treatments unsafe.
7. What type of needle is used in electrolysis?
A) Hypodermic needle
B) Sterile, fine probe (filiform needle)
C) Insulin syringe
D) Tattoo needle
Rationale: Electrolysis uses a fine, sterile probe designed to fit into the hair follicle
without puncturing the skin.
, 8. Which of the following best describes thermolysis in electrolysis?
A) Chemical decomposition by direct current
B) Destruction of the follicle by high-frequency alternating current (heat)
C) Mechanical removal of hair
D) Cooling of hair follicles
Rationale: Thermolysis uses high-frequency alternating current to produce heat
that destroys the follicle.
9. What is the term for the combination of galvanic and thermolysis currents?
A) Blend method
B) Pulsed method
C) Blend method
D) Microwave
Rationale: The blend method uses both galvanic (chemical) and thermolysis (heat)
currents for more effective hair removal.
10. What is the recommended hair length for laser hair removal treatments?
A) 2-3 inches
B) 1-2 mm (shaved closely)
C) 1 cm
D) No trimming needed
Rationale: Hair should be shaved very close to the skin before laser treatment to
target the follicle without burning the hair shaft.
PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) WITH
RATIONALES 2025
1. What is the main principle behind electrolysis hair removal?
A) Mechanical cutting of hair
B) Destruction of the hair follicle by chemical reaction caused by electric current
C) Cooling the hair follicle
D) Heating the surface of the skin
Rationale: Electrolysis works by using an electric current to produce a chemical
reaction (lysis) that destroys the hair follicle permanently.
2. Which type of current is used in galvanic electrolysis?
A) Alternating Current (AC)
B) Direct Current (DC)
C) Radio Frequency (RF)
D) Pulsed Light
,Rationale: Galvanic electrolysis uses direct current to produce chemical changes
that destroy the hair follicle.
3. What is the main active chemical produced during galvanic electrolysis?
A) Sulfuric acid
B) Sodium hydroxide (lye)
C) Hydrochloric acid
D) Alcohol
Rationale: The direct current in galvanic electrolysis causes the breakdown of
saline in the tissue to produce sodium hydroxide (lye), which destroys the follicle.
4. Which laser wavelength is most commonly used for hair removal on light to
medium skin tones?
A) 1064 nm (Nd:YAG)
B) 755 nm (Alexandrite)
C) 810 nm (Diode)
D) 532 nm (KTP)
Rationale: Alexandrite lasers at 755 nm are effective for hair removal on light to
medium skin tones due to their high melanin absorption and skin penetration
depth.
5. Which skin type according to the Fitzpatrick scale is most sensitive to laser
treatments?
,A) Type I (very fair skin)
B) Type III (medium skin)
C) Type IV (olive skin)
D) Type VI (dark skin)
Rationale: Type I skin burns easily and has little melanin, making it more sensitive
to laser treatments and more prone to side effects like burns.
6. Which is a contraindication for both electrolysis and laser hair removal?
A) Pregnancy
B) Use of photosensitive medication
C) Diabetes
D) Recent sunburn
Rationale: Photosensitive medications increase the risk of adverse reactions to
laser light and electrical currents, making treatments unsafe.
7. What type of needle is used in electrolysis?
A) Hypodermic needle
B) Sterile, fine probe (filiform needle)
C) Insulin syringe
D) Tattoo needle
Rationale: Electrolysis uses a fine, sterile probe designed to fit into the hair follicle
without puncturing the skin.
, 8. Which of the following best describes thermolysis in electrolysis?
A) Chemical decomposition by direct current
B) Destruction of the follicle by high-frequency alternating current (heat)
C) Mechanical removal of hair
D) Cooling of hair follicles
Rationale: Thermolysis uses high-frequency alternating current to produce heat
that destroys the follicle.
9. What is the term for the combination of galvanic and thermolysis currents?
A) Blend method
B) Pulsed method
C) Blend method
D) Microwave
Rationale: The blend method uses both galvanic (chemical) and thermolysis (heat)
currents for more effective hair removal.
10. What is the recommended hair length for laser hair removal treatments?
A) 2-3 inches
B) 1-2 mm (shaved closely)
C) 1 cm
D) No trimming needed
Rationale: Hair should be shaved very close to the skin before laser treatment to
target the follicle without burning the hair shaft.
