6 Electrotherapy

2003 Texas Trade and Industrial Education 1
Electrotherapy
Machine Facials

2003 Texas Trade and Industrial Education Cosmetology I: Machine Facials 2
Electrotherapy
Facial treatments using electrical facial machines & small
electrical appliances are known as electrotherapy
Modalities
These are the currents used in electrical facial & scalp treatments.
Cosmetologist are concerned with 4 different currents
Galvanic
Faradic
Sinusoidal
Tesla High-frequency
Machine Facials
Modalities
Galvanic current
Most commonly used
Constant & direct (DC) current
Positive & negative pole
Producing chemical changes when it passes through the tissues & fluids of
the body
Two different chemical reactions are possible, depending on the polarity
(negative or positive)
Avoid galvanic current on certain clients
Metal implants, pace maker or heart insufficiency
Epilepsy
Pregnancy
High blood pressure, fever, infection
Open or broken skin; pustular acne
Fear of electrical currents
CAUTION: remember to firmly wrap all electrodes w/ a moistened cotton
pledget. Always place passive electrode on right side of clients body to avoid
current flow through the heart

Modalities
Positive Pole ( Anode ) Negative Pole ( Cathode )
Produces acidic reactions Produces alkaline
reactions
Closes the pores Opens the pores
Soothes nerves Stimulates & irritates the
Decreases blood supply nerves
Contracts blood vessels Increases blood supply
Hardens & firms tissues Expands blood vessels
Softens tissues

Application of galvanic current
Active electrode used on area being treated
Negative pole is the active electrode when negative reactions are
desired on the face: forcing negative ions into the skin; opening
follicles; liquefying sebum
Plug back cord into metal roller or flathead stick electrode
This is the electrode used on clients face; also referred to as a
disincrustor
Pass electrode
Called passive because it is NOT being used on clients face
Client can hold metal stick or cylinder which is always wrapped in
a moistened cotton pledget; or you can place wet pad on clients
right upper arm or under right shoulder
The electrode is always placed on right side of avoid current flow
to heart
Procedure for Disincrustration
The process of softening & emulsifying grease deposits
& blackheads in the follicles for easier extraction
Active electrode is wrapped in cotton moistened with
electrolyte
An electrolyte is any compound that conducts a current of
electricity; saltwater works well
Client holds passive electrode in right hand
Or wet pad is placed on a comfortable spot on right side of
clients body
Active electrode (negative polarity) is placed on clients
face & moved slowly over oily areas of face for 3-5
minutes
All liquefied sebum is removed from skin before facial
continues
Iontophoresis
Comes from the Greek and means moving ion
The process forces water-soluble products that contain
ions deeper into skin with help of electric current
Anaphoresis
Negative pole ( cathode ) forces negatively charged ions (anions)
into skin
Cataphoresis
Positive pole (anode ) forces positively charged ions (cations) into
skin
Modalities
Faradic current
Alternating & interrupted current
Produce impulses on muscles & force them to contract;tone facial
muscles
Produces a mechanical reaction without a chemical effect
Used during scalp & facial manipulations to cause muscular
contractions that tone the facial muscles
Benefits derived
Improved muscle tone
Removal of waste products
Increased blood circulation
Relief of blood congestion
Increased glandular activity
Stimulation of hair growth
Increased metabolism

Modalities
Sinusoidal current
Similar to faradic current
Used during scalp & facial manipulations
Alternating current that produces mechanical contractions that
tone the muscles
Produce impulses on muscles & force them to contract;tone facial
muscles
Advantages
Supplies greater stimulation, deeper penetration, & is less irritating
than faradic current
Soothes the nerves & penetrates into deeper muscle tissue
Is best suited for the nervous client
Faradic & Sinusoidal current Application
Cathode is placed on insertion of the muscle
Insertion is the part that does not move; it is attached to the
skeleton & is usually part of a skeletal muscle
Anode is placed on the origin of the muscle
Origin is the part of the muscle at the more movable attachment
to the skeleton
Pressure in massage is usually directed from the
insertion to the origin
Muscles contract 5-10 times each
Do not use faradic current if it causes pain or discomfort

Modalities
Tesla high-frequency current
Discovered by Nikolas Tesla
Has a germicidal effect; effective for acne-prone skin
Thermal or heat-producing current
High rate of oscillation or vibration
Commonly called violet ray
Used for both scalp & facial treatments
Does not produce muscle contractions
Effects can be either stimulating or soothing, depending on the
method of application

Modalities
Electrodes are made from either glass or metal
One electrode is used to perform a service
Electrodes
Direct HF is mushroom shaped & variety of sizes
Indirect HF is long w/metal coil inside
Air around glass electrode vibrates & tiny violet sparks are emitted
Some units have neon gas in the tube that produces an orange glow;all
types produce the same effects
Benefits
Stimulated blood circulation
Improved glandular activity
Increased elimination & absorption
Increased metabolism
Improved germicidal action
Relief of congestion

Methods for High-Frequency Current Application
Direct surface application
No product on face
Use gauze if electrode wont move easily on skin
Apply glass electrode to clients skin & move slowly over entire face
for stimulation
Hold finger on glass electrode to prevent sparking
Remove finger once electrode is placed on skin
Dab electrode on spot to cause sparking for stronger germicidal
effects
Methods for High-Frequency Current Application
Indirect application
Client holds tube electrode w/ metal coil inside
Cosmetologist massages face w/own hands
At no time does cosmetologist hold the electrode
Turn current on after client has firm hold on electrode
This prevents shock
Turn current off before removing electrode from client's hand
This method stimulates all cell functions without the irritation that can e
caused by the direct method
This method is highly beneficial for sensitive, dehydrated skin
High Frequency

Used to increase and
stimulate blood
circulation

Test on clients hand
first to familiarize them
with noise
Cleansing
The large brush is for
large areas

The small brush is good
for small areas

Used to remove
makeup, dirt, and oil
from the skin
Magnifying Light

Used to analyze skin

Determine if skin is oily,
normal or dry

Best used after skin
has been cleansed
Steamer

Used on oily skin

Do NOT use if client is
asthmatic or has high
blood pressure

Use only distilled water
in the steamer
Vacuum Tube
Vacuum tubes are used
to remove surface
impurities
Check suction strength
prior to placement on
clients skin
Large tube for large
areas & small tube for
up-close work
Atomizer

Used at the end of the
facial to close pores

Spray a light mist over
the face.

Do not over saturate
Mini Sanitizer

Used to keep sterilized
implements sanitized

This does NOT sanitize
implements for you

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2003 Texas Trade and Industrial Education 1

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