Galvanic Current & Treatments in Esthetics: Key Concepts and Contraindications

What type of electrical current is galvanic current?

Direct current

Which statement best describes direct current?

It flows constantly in one direction

Which statement correctly describes galvanic current?

It is low-milliamperage constant direct current with positive and negative poles

Galvanic current used in esthetics is reduced to what type of level?

Safe, low-voltage level

When galvanic current passes through body tissues and fluids, what can it produce?

Chemical changes

Galvanic current is used to create which types of reactions in the skin?

Chemical and ionic reactions

What are the two major reactions produced by galvanic current in esthetics?

Desincrustation and iontophoresis

Which galvanic reaction is used primarily for deep cleansing?

Desincrustation

An esthetician wants to soften sebum and debris before extractions. Which treatment is most appropriate?

Desincrustation

Which type of skin is most likely to benefit from galvanic desincrustation when no contraindications are present?

Oily, congested skin with comedones

Which galvanic pole is responsible for the reaction that changes sebum into a soap-like substance?

Negative pole

What is the chemical reaction that changes sebum into a soap-like substance called?

Saponification

During saponification, what happens to the sebum?

It becomes a soap-like substance

The soap-like substance produced during desincrustation helps do what?

Dissolve excess oil, clogged follicles, comedones, and debris

Which treatment would help soften clogged follicles and comedones before extraction?

Desincrustation

A state-board question mentions a negative galvanic pole and saponification. Which treatment should you think of?

Desincrustation

What is iontophoresis?

The use of electric current to introduce water-soluble solutions into the skin

Which type of solution is used with iontophoresis?

Water-soluble solution

What does iontophoresis allow an esthetician to transfer into deeper layers of the skin?

Ions from an applied solution

A question describes the use of electric current to help penetrate ions from a water-soluble solution. Which procedure is being described?

Iontophoresis

What does cataphoresis refer to?

Infusion of a positively charged product

Which treatment program may benefit uncomplicated oily skin?

Galvanic current, steam, and extractions

Before a galvanic treatment, what should the client remove?

Jewelry

Which sensation may occasionally occur with a galvanic treatment?

A metallic taste in the mouth, a tingling sensation

Which client should NOT receive galvanic treatment?

A client with a pacemaker

Which implanted item is a contraindication for galvanic treatment?

Metal implant

Which dental condition is listed as a contraindication for galvanic treatment?

Braces

Which medical condition is a contraindication for galvanic current?

Heart condition

Which neurological condition is a contraindication for galvanic treatment?

Epilepsy

How is pregnancy classified in relation to galvanic treatment?

A contraindication

Which cardiovascular condition is a contraindication for galvanic current?

High blood pressure

Should galvanic treatment be performed on a client with a fever?

No

Should galvanic treatment be performed on a client with an active infection?

No

Is galvanic current safe to use over open or broken skin?

No

Why is diminished nerve sensitivity a contraindication for galvanic treatment?

The client may not properly sense the electrical treatment (type 1 diabetes)

Which acne condition is a contraindication for galvanic treatment?

Inflamed pustular acne

Which vascular skin condition is a contraindication for galvanic treatment?

Couperose skin

Which skin condition is a contraindication for galvanic treatment?

Rosacea

Which headache condition is a contraindication for galvanic treatment?

Chronic migraine headaches

What should the esthetician recognize about a client who is extremely apprehensive about electrical appliances?

This is a contraindication for galvanic treatment

Which list contains ONLY galvanic contraindications?

Pacemaker, pregnancy, epilepsy, high blood pressure

Which client is the BEST candidate for desincrustation?

A client with oily, congested skin and comedones

Which client should NOT receive galvanic current?

A client with open wounds

What should be done when electrical equipment has damaged or exposed wiring?

Do not use the equipment

How should electrical equipment be handled when your hands are wet?

It should not be handled

What should the esthetician and client avoid contact with when using electrical equipment?

Water and metal surfaces

What is the correct statement about electrical equipment?

Equipment should be inspected regularly and kept in good repair

What should be done before cleaning an electrical appliance?

Disconnect it from the electrical supply

Which procedure is associated with softening sebum and preparing for extractions?

Desincrustation

Which procedure introduces water-soluble solutions into the skin using electric current?

Iontophoresis

What term describes the process when sebum is transformed into soap?

Saponification

Which galvanic pole is associated with saponification and softening sebum?

Negative pole

What are the two major galvanic reactions in esthetics?

Desincrustation and iontophoresis

What is the BEST answer for treating oily, congested skin before extracting comedones?

Desincrustation

What is the BEST answer for using electrical current to help a water-soluble solution penetrate more deeply?

Iontophoresis

What process occurs when the negative galvanic pole changes sebum into a soap-like substance?

Saponification

What should be done for a client with high blood pressure asking for a galvanic facial?

Avoid galvanic treatment because high blood pressure is a contraindication

What should be done for a client with rosacea asking for a galvanic facial?

Avoid galvanic treatment because rosacea is a contraindication

What determines whether galvanic treatment should be performed on a client with a pacemaker?

The pacemaker makes galvanic contraindicated

What is the MOST accurate statement about galvanic treatment?

Client contraindications must be checked before treatment

what is a acid mantle

A very thin, slightly acidic film (average pH 4.5–5.5) on the surface of the skin made of sebum, sweat, and dead skin cells that acts as a barrier against bacteria, viruses, and moisture loss.

desquamation

The natural process where the outermost layer of the skin (stratum corneum) sheds dead skin cells, which is essential for healthy cell turnover and maintaining a smooth skin texture.

anode

Positive electrode, produces an acidic reaction at the skin. closes and tightens pores, calms and soothes skin, decreases blood supply to the area hardens and firms tissues, uses during iontophoresis and used with positively charged products

cathode

negative electrode, produces alkaline reaction, open and softens the pores, stimulates and irritates the skin, increases blood supply to the area, softens and relaxes the tissues, used during desincrustation and for negatively charged products

cation

A positively charged ion

anion

what time of products should be used during iontophoresis treatment

only water-based, ionised products should be used. oil based formulation do not conduct electricity and will not respond to the galvanic current.