Foundations 7: Electricity and Electrical Safety Vocab

Cataphoresis

Process of fusing an acidic (positive) product into deeper tissues using galvanic current from the positive pole toward the negative pole

Alternating current

Abbreviated as AC; rapid and interrupted current, flowing first in one direction and then in the opposite direction; produced by mechanical means and changes directions 60 times per second

Milliampere

Abbreviated as mA; 1.1,000 of an ampere

Rectifier

Apparatus that changes alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC)

Conductor

Any material that conducts electricity

Circuit breaker

Switch that automatically interrupts or shuts off an electric circuit at the first indication of overload

Desincrustation

A form of anaphoresis; process used to soften and emulsify grease deposits (oil) and blackheads in the hair follicles

Fuse

Prevents excessive current from passing through a circuit

Ampere

Abbreviated as A and also known as amp (AMP); unit that measures the strength of an electric current

Electromagnetic spectrum

Also known as electromagnetic spectrum of radiation; name given to all of the forms of energy (or radiation) that exist

Ground fault interrupter

Protects from electrical shock by interrupting a household circuit when there is a leak in the circuit

Watt

Abbreviated as W; unit that measures how much electric energy is being used in one second

Anaphoresis

Process of infusing an alkaline (negative) product into the tissues from the negative pole toward the positive pole

Active electrode

Electrode of an electrotherapy device that is used on the area to be treated

Modalities

Currents used in electrical facial and scalp treatments

Catalysts

Substances that speed up chemical reactions

Polarity

Positive or negative poles of an electric current

Grounding

Completes an electric circuit and carries the current safely away

Volt

Abbreviated as V and also known as voltage; unit that measures the pressure or force that pushes electric current forward through a conductor

Waveform

Measurement of the distance between two wavelengths

Infrared light

Invisible light with longer wavelengths, deeper penetration, less energy, and more heat production than visible light; makes up 60 percent of natural sunlight

Complete electric circuit

The path of negative and positive electric currents moving from the generating source through the conductors and back to the generating source

Electric current

Flow of electricity along a conductor

Inactive electrode

Opposite pole from the active electrode

Electricity

The movement of electrons from one atom to another along a conductor

Tesla high-frequency current

Also known as violet ray; thermal or heat-producing current with a high rate of oscillation or vibration that is commonly used for scalp and facial treatments

Iontophoresis

Process of infusing water-soluble products into the skin with use of electric current, such as the use of the positive and negative poles of a galvanic machine

Light therapy

Also known as phototherapy; the application of light rays to the skin for the treatment of wrinkles, capillaries, pigmentation, or hair removal

Nonconductor

Also known as insulator; a material that does not transmit electricity

Visible light

The part of the electromagnetic spectrum that can be seen; visible light makes up only 35 percent of natural sunlight

Kilowatt

Abbreviated as kw; 1,000 watts

Cathode

Negative electrode of an electrotherapy device; the cathode is usually black and is marked with an N or a minus (-) sign

Ohm

Abbreviated as O; unit that measures the resistance of an electric current

Contraindication

A condition that requires avoiding certain treatments, procedures, or products to prevent undesirable side effects

Wavelength

distance between successive peaks of electromagnetic waves

Inverter

Apparatus that changes direct current to alternating current

Ultraviolet light

Abbreviated as UV light and also known as cold light or actinic light; invisible light that has a short wavelength (giving it higher energy), is less penetrating than visible light, causes chemical reactions to happen more quickly than visible light, produces less heat than visible light, and kills germs

Invisible light

Light at either end of the visible spectrum of light that is invisible to the naked eye

Direct current

Abbreviated DC; constant, even-flowing current that travels in one direction only and is produced by chemical means

Microcurrent

An extremely low level of electricity that mirrors the body’s natural electrical impulses

Galvanic current

Constant and direct current, having a positive and negative pole, that produces chemical changes when it passes through the tissues and fluids of the body

Electrotherapy

Use of electrical currents to treat the skin

Anode

Positive electrode of an electrotherapy device; the anode is usually red and is marked with a P or a plus (+) sign

Electrode

Also known as probe; applicator for directing electric current from an electrotherapy device to the client’s skin