facial electrotherapy
lightning response
The use of electrotherapy in cosmetics can be traced back through a number ofmedical journals to the end of the 19th century, but just because it isn’t a new treatment protocol, it doesn’t mean there hasn’t been any new developments in this field over the last 120 years.
Fromvarying wavelengths and techniques, through to the application of specialised gels and serums to help enhance the effects of the electrical pulses, the field of facial electrotherapy has evolved to ensure that your clients see the virtually instantaneous results they’ve come to expect fromamodern beauty treatment.
“In a down-turned economy, consumer spending habits have changed to becomemore frugal,” says Candice Gardner, Education TrainingManager for the IDI.
“These frugal consumers are seeking time- sensitive services that still deliver rapid results. Introducing electricalmodalities into the professional treatment will enable the skin therapist to supercharge their treatments for highly targeted results that fix skin issues fast.
“It can also help keep regular clients motivated to return by introducing some variety to treatments. Using variousmodalities allows the skin therapist to performadvanced exfoliation options, penetrate active ingredients deeper and quicker into the skin and treat specific skin conditionsmore effectively for targeted results,” adds Candice.
what’s your type?
But it’s not just the largely instantaneous results that keep facial electrotherapy treatments a firmfavourite in salons and Spas up and down the country, as Candice suggested earlier the plethora of treatment modalities available also contributes to its success.
Treatments such asMicrocurrent, Faradic, Galvanic, High Frequency, Radio Frequency, and even Ultrasound all come under the umbrella of facial electrotherapy and each offers its own set of benefits, fromlifting and toning through to cleansing and increasing hydration levels.A further breakdown of these treatmentmodalities can be seen below:
microcurrent
Likemost electrotherapy treatments, Microcurrent began as amedical treatment –
originally used to treat victims of strokes, wheremuscles on one side of the face had been paralysed.Microcurrents of electricity were used to stimulate themuscles and give a ‘lift’ to the face.
Before long, the treatment was adapted for cosmetic procedures, and is now widely used to tighten and firmmuscles, tone the skin, stimulate the lymphatic systemto dispel toxins and improve the healing process. On the face,microcurrent is useful for reducing fine lines and tightening sagging skin.
faradic current
“A Faradic current is a low frequency alternating current (AC) that is an interrupted direct electrical current which reverses the flow of electrons. Used via electrodes specifically placed it causesmuscle and nerve stimulation,” explainsAngela Barbagelata- Fabes, Chairman of the Carlton Group.
“Facial Faradic is used to tighten and tone facialmuscles and therefore re-contour the shape of the
face.This is done using two electrodes to create the
stimulation.They can either be hand held, or some units have self- adhesive sticky electrodes that are applied to the face,” continuesAngela.
galvanic current
A Galvanic current is a direct, steady, low- voltage and low-amplitude electric current. The electrons and ions are flowing constantly, always in the same direction.
“Galvanic works on the principal of producing chemical substances under the electrodes used in the treatments,” says Angela. “These in turn have specific effects on the skin and underlying
tissues.The current applied to the tissues generally increases blood and lymphatic circulation, but it is usedmore for the specific treatments outlined below.”
According toAngela, there are two ways in which Galvanic treatment can be used – Desincrustation and Iontophoresis.
Desincrustation:This treatment is always worked with the active electrode, the one held by the client is
positive.The chemical produced under the active electrode is SodiumHydroxide and its primary use is to deep cleanse the
skin.This treatment is suitable for greasy seborrhoeicAcne type skin, but all skin types, except sensitive, would benefit.
Iontophoresis:This treatment is used to pass products through an unbroken skin by the use
of Galvanic current for particular skin types or specific skin conditions (e.g. oily or dry skin orAcne or couperose skin). Gels or ampoules are used that have been ionised and the active electrode use a negative or positive polarity (i.e. if the product is ionised negative to positive the active electrode should be negative and if the product is ionised positive to negative the active electrode should be positive.) Iontophoresis is performed for five to sevenminutes always reversing the polarity of the active electrode for the last one to two minutes of the treatment to restore the pH balance of the skin which is disturbed by the Galvanic current.
high frequency
High Frequency facial treatments often incorporate the use of a glass electrode and aremost commonly used to stimulate, purify and heal the skin. High Frequency currents are used to generate warmth in the skin and stimulate nerve endings, improve product penetration and increase skin cell metabolism.
radio frequency
Radio Frequency (RF) is generally used for tightening, treating deeper lines and wrinkles, and cellulite. It is non-invasivemeaning it does not generatemany contra-actions, so it can be combined with lots of other therapies. One key thing to remember with Radio Frequency is that the effects are not immediate, but are gradual and becomemore noticeable as the recommended treatment course nears to an end.
ultrasound
Although commonly associated with medicinal treatments, Ultrasound therapy has firmly found its place in the world of beauty, thanks to its anti-ageing benefits. It works by introducing an acoustic wave (which has a frequency above the human hearing range) to the face or body which then deeply permeates the skin and emits heat, thereby accelerating blood circulation aiding in firming skin and smoothing wrinkles.
As you can see the real beauty of facial electrotherapy lies in its flexibility, and there are a number of systems available as stand- alone treatment units focusing on specific treatments, which are ideal for those short on space or who want to specialise in a particular
area.Alternatively, if your salon attracts a wide variety of ages for your customer base, then combined treatment units are also available, which offermore than one modality to ensure there’s something for everyone.
Turn the page to see the latest collection of facial electrotherapy systems available…
40 GUILD NEWS
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