What is electrosurgery done with?

The electrosurgical unit produces a selected electrical waveform and sends it through a handpiece or electrode. Depending on the setting and the clinical aim, the energy can heat tissue to cut, destroy a small target, seal bleeding vessels, or remove surface growth. The clinician chooses the electrode shape, power, and contact technique for the body site and procedure.

Electrosurgery is different from electrolysis hair removal: it is a tissue-treatment technique, not a follicle-by-follicle hair-removal method. Local anaesthetic may be used when appropriate, and protective measures help limit heat exposure to nearby skin.

Tell the clinician about pacemakers or other implanted electronic devices, bleeding problems, medicines that affect clotting, allergies to antiseptics or local anaesthetic, and any history of difficult wound healing. Keep the area clean and follow instructions about shaving, creams, and dressings.

After treatment, do not scratch or remove a developing scab. Use only the recommended cleanser or ointment, protect healing skin from sun exposure, and return for review if the clinician requests it. Healing time depends on the depth and location of treatment.

Ask for medical review if bleeding does not stop with firm gentle pressure, pain or swelling increases, or the treated site becomes increasingly red, hot, foul-smelling, or produces pus. Urgent help is needed for breathing difficulty, rapidly spreading swelling, or a severe reaction after anaesthetic or antiseptic.

Which electrode and energy mode will you use, and what will the treated area look like while it heals? Should any medicine or implanted device change the plan?