In this episode of Electrolysis Unplugged, Stephanie Shields and Joanie Gonella dive into one of the most nuanced areas of practice: treating adolescent patients and navigating the complexities that come with early hair-growth changes, medical concerns, and mixed-modality histories.

We unpack real-world scenarios involving a 17-year-old laser candidate, including considerations around endocrine evaluation, informed consent, and realistic expectations for hair-growth outcomes in still-developing teens.

From there, we move into a discussion of paradoxical hypertrichosis—why it happens, who’s at risk, and how electrologists and laser specialists can work collaboratively to reduce complications and guide families through evidence-based care.

You’ll also hear an in-depth look at hirsutism in teenagers, including red-flag symptoms, supportive language for young clients, and when to advocate for medical workups.

Finally, we explore a technical challenge every electrologist encounters at some point: probe selection in blend—including what causes soda leakage, how to troubleshoot it, and how to adjust technique and equipment for consistent current balance and patient comfort.

This episode is clinical, compassionate, and designed to strengthen your confidence when working with younger patients, hormonal conditions, and advanced techniques in electrolysis and laser hair removal.