Electrotherapy

Machine Facials

2003 Texas Trade and Industrial Education

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

2003 Texas Trade and Industrial Education

Cosmetology I: Machine Facials

Machine Facials

2003 Texas Trade and Industrial Education

Cosmetology I: 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

2003 Texas Trade and Industrial Education

Cosmetology I: Machine Facials

Modalities

Positive Pole ( Anode )

( Cathode )
Produces acidic reactions
reactions
Closes the pores
Soothes nerves
irritates the
Decreases blood supply
Contracts blood vessels
supply
Hardens & firms tissues
vessels

Negative Pole
Produces alkaline
Opens the pores
Stimulates &
nerves
Increases blood
Expands blood
Softens tissues

2003 Texas Trade and Industrial Education

Cosmetology I: Machine Facials

Application of galvanic current

Active electrode used on area being treated

Plug back cord into metal roller or flathead stick

electrode

Negative pole is the active electrode when negative reactions

are desired on the face: forcing negative ions into the skin;
opening follicles; liquefying sebum

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

2003 Texas Trade and Industrial Education

Cosmetology I: Machine Facials

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

Client holds passive electrode in right hand

An electrolyte is any compound that conducts a current

of electricity; saltwater works well
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

2003 Texas Trade and Industrial Education

Cosmetology I: Machine Facials

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

2003 Texas Trade and Industrial Education

Cosmetology I: Machine Facials

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

2003 Texas Trade and Industrial Education

Cosmetology I: Machine Facials

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

2003 Texas Trade and Industrial Education

Cosmetology I: Machine Facials

10

Faradic & Sinusoidal current Application

Cathode is placed on insertion of the muscle

Anode is placed on the origin of the muscle

Insertion is the part that does not move; it is attached to

the skeleton & is usually part of a skeletal 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

2003 Texas Trade and Industrial Education

Cosmetology I: Machine Facials

11

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

2003 Texas Trade and Industrial Education

Cosmetology I: Machine Facials

12

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

2003 Texas Trade and Industrial Education

Cosmetology I: Machine Facials

13

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

2003 Texas Trade and Industrial Education

Cosmetology I: Machine Facials

14

Methods for High-Frequency Current Application

Indirect application

Client holds tube electrode w/ metal coil inside

Cosmetologist massages face w/own hands

Turn current on after client has firm hold on electrode

At no time does cosmetologist hold the 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

2003 Texas Trade and Industrial Education

Cosmetology I: Machine Facials

15

High Frequency

2003 Texas Trade and Industrial Education

Used to increase and

stimulate blood
circulation

Test on clients hand

first to familiarize them
with noise

Cosmetology I: Machine Facials

16

Cleansing

2003 Texas Trade and Industrial Education

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

Cosmetology I: Machine Facials

17

Magnifying Light

2003 Texas Trade and Industrial Education

Used to analyze skin

Determine if skin is oily,

normal or dry

Best used after skin

has been cleansed

Cosmetology I: Machine Facials

18

Steamer

2003 Texas Trade and Industrial Education

Used on oily skin

Do NOT use if client is

asthmatic or has high
blood pressure

Use only distilled water

in the steamer
Cosmetology I: Machine Facials

19

Vacuum Tube

2003 Texas Trade and Industrial Education

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

Cosmetology I: Machine Facials

20

Atomizer

2003 Texas Trade and Industrial Education

Used at the end of the

facial to close pores

Spray a light mist over

the face.

Do not over saturate

Cosmetology I: Machine Facials

21

Mini Sanitizer

2003 Texas Trade and Industrial Education

Used to keep sterilized

implements sanitized

This does NOT sanitize

implements for you

Cosmetology I: Machine Facials

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