Active electrode

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

Alternating current

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

Ampere

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

Anaphoresis

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

Anode

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

Catalysts

Substances that speed up chemical reactions

Cataphoresis

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

Cathode

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

Circuit breaker

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

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

Conductor

Any material that conducts electricity

Contraindication

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

Desincrustation

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

Direct current

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

Electric current

Flow of electricity along a conductor

Electricity

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

Electrode

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

Electromagnetic spectrum

Also known as electromagnetic spectrum of radiation, name given to all forms of energy (or radiation) that exists

Electrotherapy

Use of eletric currents to treat skin

Fuse

Prevents excessive current from passing through a circuit

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

Grounding

Completes an electric circuit and carries the current safely away

Ground Fault interrupter

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

Inactive electrode

Opposite pole from the active electrode

Infrared light

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

Inverter

Apparatus that changes direct current to alternating current

Invisible light

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

Iontophoresis

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

Kilowatt

Abbreviated as kw, 1,000 watts

Light therapy

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

Microcurrent

An extremely low level of electricity that mirrors the body's natural electrics' impulse

Milliampere

Abbreviated mA, 1/1,000 of an ampere

Modalities

Currents used in electrical facial and scalp treatment

Nonconductor

Also known as an insulator, a material that does not transmit electricity

ohm

Abbreviated O, unit that measures the resistance of an electric current

Polarity

Positive or negative poles of an electric current

Rectifier

Apparatus that changes alternating current to direct current

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

Ultraviolet light

Abbreviated as UV light, and also known as cold light or actinic light, invisible light 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

Visible light

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

Volt

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

Watt

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

Waveform

Measurement of the distance between two wavelengths

Wavelength

Distance between successive peaks of electromagnetic waves