Electricity Basics
What is current in esthetics machines?
The flow of electrical energy.
Why must skin be moist during electrical treatments?
Moist skin conducts electricity better.
What type of current is used in galvanic treatments?
Direct current (DC)
What gas is inside high frequency glass electrodes?
Neon or argon gas
What is microcurrent used for?
Lifting and toning facial muscles
What does voltage represent?
Electrical pressure that pushes current.
What is a contraindication in esthetics?
A condition that prevents treatment use.
What does iontophoresis do?
Pushes skincare products deeper into skin.
What is high frequency mainly used for?
Treating acne and killing bacteria.
Is microcurrent high or low intensity?
Very low intensity current
What is resistance in the skin?
The skin’s opposition to electrical flow.
What layer of skin has the highest resistance?
Stratum corneum
What does the positive pole do in galvanic treatments?
Tightens skin and closes pores.
Why is high frequency safe for acne treatments?
It kills bacteria without damaging skin.
What kind of current does microcurrent use?
Very weak direct current
What is Ohm’s Law?
Voltage = Current × Resistance (V = I × R)
Why is dry skin unsafe for electrical treatments?
It increases resistance and can reduce effectiveness or cause discomfort.
What is desincrustation?
A process that softens oil in pores using negative galvanic current.
What effect does high frequency have on circulation?
What effect does high frequency have on circulation?
Why is microcurrent called “non-invasive lifting”?
It tones muscles without breaking the skin barrier.
How does Ohm’s Law apply to esthetic machines when resistance in the skin increases?
When resistance increases, current decreases if voltage stays the same.
Why can using electrical modalities on compromised skin (cuts, irritation, broken barrier) be unsafe?
It increases risk of burns, irritation, and unpredictable electrical absorption through damaged tissue.
Explain the full purpose of polarity switching in galvanic treatments.
It alternates positive and negative currents to perform desincrustation (cleansing) and iontophoresis (product penetration).
Why does high frequency create a germicidal effect, and what biological response does it trigger in the skin?
It produces oxygenating ozone that kills bacteria and increases circulation and tissue oxygenation.
Why is microcurrent often described as “bio-stimulatory” rather than just electrical stimulation?
Because it mimics the body’s natural electrical currents at a cellular level to enhance ATP production and muscle tone.