Cosmetic electrotherapy includes Diversity of cosmetic procedures that use low electrical current to achieve an aesthetically therapeutic effect, toning muscles and micro facelift. The use of electricity in cosmetics dates from the late 19th century, almost one hundred years after Luigi Galvani discovered that electricity can cause muscle in the frog legs tremble. Subsequent research in electrophysiology is committed by people like Robert O. Becker, Dr. Bjorn Nordernstryom (former Chairman of the Nobel Prizes sector Medicine) and Dr. Thomas Wing (invented some of the first devices).

There are four main types of therapies which differ in the type of current which is used, namely:

galvanic therapy

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (also known as the faradic therapy)

Micro-electrical neuromuscular stimulation

High-frequency therapy

galvanic therapy

Galvanic therapy in the cosmetic industry is described further in 1970. Sometimes called galvanism. The therapy aims to influence the skin in two ways - cleaning and feeding by electro-chemical process called iontophoresis or ionization. This is achieved by applying a low DC. Treatment is based on the principle of the charged ions into the skin, or which attract or repel the electrodes, as a result of certain chemical reactions.

Galvanizmat facilitates the penetration of active substances into the subcutaneous tissue. It acts on the circulation, leading to improvement in vascular and lymphatic exchange in the treated area. This happens in a natural and safe way and is supported by the effective action of the galvanic current to the tissue. This improves the function of the cell membrane and are removed excess liquid and fat.

Galvanic treatment often used on the face (facial galvanic treatment) and on the body to treat cellulite.

Faradicheska therapy (neuromuscular electrical stimulation)

Faradic treatment is also described in the cosmetic industry in the 70s. Therapy tones muscles shortens them repeatedly with electric current. This leads to their tightening and toning, accelerated muscle metabolism, removal of waste products. Faradic treatment is usually used on the face and body and works by contraction of muscles with short pulse of direct current.

The treatment is called a neuromuscular electrical stimulation. Some manufacturers are equipment using their own terms as "Electro-Muscular Stimulation" (EMS) or apparatus is called the name of the manufacturer Ultraton, celutron or Slim Master.

Micro-electric therapy

Micro-electrical treatment was used from 1970. now and features the use of micro-ampere currents (ie millionths of an ampere), which are subtle, but mimic bio-electric currents in the body. Treatment aims to reduce wrinkles and rejuvenate skin damage including sunburn, acne, stretch marks, cellulite and scars. When used on the face, the treatment is called "non-surgical facelift" or "face lift".

Micro-electric therapy works by passing a very small constant current through the muscle tissue to stimulate the Golgi tendon organ.

The different characteristics of the micro-current, and in particular the frequency and the format of the changing voltage have different effects on the tissue.

Treatment with HF

Treatment with HF using a weak high frequency alternating current produced by the glass electrode. Because of the high frequency current of the oxygen in the air is converted into ozone. The treatment has a bactericidal action, and also drying and warming. Therefore, the treatment used to strengthen and natural exfoliation of the skin, stimulation of the sweat and sebaceous glands.

With speeds up to 250 000 Hz, hollow glass electrode looks like a luminous tube and therefore called it "violet rays" or "violet wand". When the electrode is close to the skin produces sparks. Since the effect is pleasant, similar devices are used in erotic electrostimulation.

Treatment and electricity

The characteristics of the current used for treatment include: (a) whether (constant or variable), (b) frequency current, (c) the amount of current (in all very small), and (d) the duration and shape of the pulses