Electrotherapy (cosmetic)
Cosmetic electrotherapy is a range of beauty treatments that uses low electric currents passed through the skin to produce several therapeutic effects such as muscle toning in the body and micro-lifting of the face. In rehabilitation medicine, electrotherapy has been widely utilized and studied; however, its use on healthy muscles, particularly in cosmetic and non-clinical settings, remains controversial. Some studies have questioned its effectiveness in these contexts, citing a lack of sufficient scientific evidence to support its claimed benefits.".
The use of electricity in cosmetics goes back to the end of the 19th century, almost a hundred years after Luigi Galvani discovered that electricity can make the muscle in a frog's leg twitch. In the 20th century, researchers such as Robert O. Becker, Björn Nordenström, and Thomas Wingmade significant contributions to the development of microcurrent devices. Becker's work focused on bioelectric phenomena and their role in tissue regeneration; Nordenström proposed the potential therapeutic applications of endogenous electric currents in disease treatment; and Wing developed some of the earliest microcurrent stimulation devices for use in both clinical and cosmetic settings.
Treatments
There are four main types of treatment, that differ in the type of current they use, including:- Galvanic treatment
- Neuromuscular electrical stimulation
- Micro-current electrical neuromuscular stimulation
- High-frequency treatment
Galvanic treatment
Galvanic treatment are often used on the face and on the body to treat cellulite.
Faradic treatment
Faradic treatment has also been described in the beauty industry since the 1970s and earlier. The treatment tones the muscles by repeatedly contracting them with the electric current, resulting in their firming and toning, and an increase in muscular metabolism aims to remove waste products more readily. Faradic treatments are generally used on the face and body, and work by contracting muscles with a short pulse of interrupted direct current.The treatment is also called neuromuscular electrical stimulation, and some of the manufactures who produce the equipment use their own terms, for example, Slendertone calls it electronic muscle stimulation, or the treatment is called after the name of the manufacturer, such as Ultratone or Slim Master.
Microcurrent treatment
Microcurrent treatments have been around since the 1970s in medical applications and are distinguished by their use of micro-ampere currents which are hardly perceptible, but mimic the body's own bio-electric currents. The treatment is designed to soften wrinkles and rejuvenate skin, including skin damaged by sunburn, acne, stretch marks, cellulite and scarring.This increased ATP also energizes the facial muscles, similar to how exercise energizes the muscles of our bodies. Unlike anywhere else on the body, the facial muscles are directly connected to the skin, so the result of energizing the muscle is often an improved, lifted appearance. When used on the face, the treatment has become known as a "non-surgical facelift" and "facial lifting".
Microcurrent treatment works by passing a very small direct current through muscle tissue to stimulate the Golgi tendon organ. It encourages production of ATP which leads to the creation and stimulation of structural proteins like elastin and collagen.
Different microcurrent characteristics, particular the frequency and shape of the changing voltage, have different effects on the tissue.
| Frequency | Micro-current effect |
| 600 Hz | Skin Surface |
| 500 Hz | Skin sub-Surface |
| 300 Hz | Lymphatic stimulation |
| 20 Hz | Circulation |
| 10 Hz | Facial muscles |
| 0.8 Hz | Deep facial |
| Waveform shape | Micro-current effect |
| Sine | Superficial |
| Square | Pumping |
| Rectangular | Lifting |
| Sawtooth | Longer lifting |
Microcurrent devices have been in the beauty industry for over a decade, the most known being the CACI device. Modern professional and personal use microcurrent devices combine waves of multiple shape and vary in frequencies used.
Since microcurrent treatment uses a low-grade electrical current, there has been health concerns over safety of its use. People with pacemakers or any kind of heart condition should avoid it. Moreover, pregnant women are advised against it as well. It is always recommended to individually consult with doctor or aesthetician before using microcurrent.
High-frequency treatment
High-frequency treatment uses low-current high-frequency alternating currents, delivered via a glass electrode, sometimes called a violet ray. Glass electrodes are often filled with either neon gas which produces pink, orange, or red light, or argon or rarefied gas which produces violet light. Because of the color of light that is produced when electricity is passed through the gas, they are inaccurately called ultraviolet or infrared, however no UV rays or infrared rays are produced, just visible light. High frequency current does convert some of the oxygen in the air surrounding the electrodes into ozone, the treatment has a germicidal action, and is also drying and warming. Consequently, the treatment is used to aid healing and also to help desquamation and stimulate sweat and sebaceous glands. Sparking may occur when the electrode is close to the skin and then pulled away repeatedly. Some electrodes may contain a metal coil that produces a mechanical vibration, as well as sparking energy that can be felt indirectly when held in one person's hand while another person uses their hands directly on the skin. Because the effect may be pleasurable, similar devices are used in erotic electrostimulation.Treatment and current
The characteristics of the treatment current include: whether it is, current frequency, size of the current, and the duration and shape of any pulses.Comparison
Notes- Desincrustation – A skin cleansing process that softens and emulsifies hardened follicle sebum.
- 1 Amp = 1,000 milliAmps = 1,000,000 microAmps
- 1,000 Hz = 1 kHz
Terminology
It is noted that: