Active Electrode
Electrode used on the area to be treated.
Alternating Current(AC)
rapid and interrupted current, flowing first in one direction and then in the opposite direction.
Amp (A)
Unit that measures the amount of an electric current (quantity of electrons flowing through a conductor)
anaphoresis
process of forcing liquids into the tissues from the negative toward the positive pole.
anode
positive electrode
Blue light
therapeutic light that should be used only on oily skin that is bare; contains few heat rays, is the least penetrating, and has some germicidal and chemical effects.
cataphoresis
process of forcing acidic substances into deeper tissues using galvanic current from the positive toward the negative pole.
cathode
negative electrode
Circuit breaker
switch that automatically interrupts or shuts off an electric circuit at the first indication of overload.
complete circuit
the path of an electric current from the generating source through conductors and back to its original source.
conductor
any substance, material, or medium that easily transmits electricity
converter
apparatus that changes direct current to alternating current
desincrustation
galvanic current is used to create an alkaline chemical reaction that emulsifies or liquefies sebum and debris.
direct current(DC)
constant, even-flowing current that travels in one direction only
electric current
flow of electricity along a conductor.
electrode
applicator for directing the electric current from the machine to the clients skin.
electromagnetic radiation
energy in the form of electromagnetic waves; also called radiant energy because it carries, or radiates, energy through space on waves.
electrotherapy
the use of electrical devices for therapeutic benefits
faradic current
alternating and interrupted current that produces a mechanical reaction without a chemical effect
fuse
special device that prevents excessive current from passing through a current
galvanic current
a constant and direct current (DC); uses a positive and negative pole to produce the chemical changes of deincrustation, an iontophoresis
inactive electrode
opposite pole from the active electrode
infrared rays
invisible rays that have longer wavelengths, penetrate deeper, and produce more heat than visible light does
insulator (nonconductor)
substance that does not easily transmit electricity
inotophoresis (ionization)
process of introducing water-soluble products into the skin by using electric current such as that from the positive and negative poles of a galvanic machine
kilowatt (k)
1000 watts
laser
acronym for light amplification stimulation emission of radiation; a medical device used for hair removal and skin treatment
light therapy
the application of light rays to the skin for the treatment of acne, wrinkles, capillaries, pigmentation, or hair removal
microcurrent
a device that mimics the body's natural electrical energy to reeducate and tone facial muscles; improves circulation and increases collagen and elastin production
milliampere
one-thousandths of an ampere
modalities
currents used in electrical facial and scalp treatments
ohm (o)
unit that measures the resistance of an electric current
phototherapy
phototherapy (light therapy) is a form of treatment used for various skin conditions using artificial light wavelenths from the ultraviolet (blue light) part of the sun's spectrum.
photothermolysis
process which light from a laser is turned into heat.
plug
two or three prong connector at the end of an electrical cord that connects an apparatus to an electrical outlet.
polarity
negative or positive pole of an electric current
rectifier
apparatus that changes alternating current to direct current
red light
therapeutic light used on dry skin in combination with oils and creams; penetrates the deepest and produces the most heat.
sinusoidal current
alternating current similar to faradic current; produces mechanical contractions and is used during scalp and facial manipulations
Telsa high-frequency current
thermal or heat-producing current with a high rate of oscillation or vibration; also called violet ray.
ultraviolet (UV) rays
invisible rays that have short wavelengths, are least penetrating rays, produce chemical effects, and kill germs, also called cold rays or actinic rays
visible light
the primary source of light used in facial and scalp treatments
volt (V)
unit that measures the pressure or force that pushes the flow of electrons forward through a conductor
watt (W)
measurement of how much electricity energy is being used in one second
wavelength
distance between two succesive peaks of electromagnetic waves
white light
referred to as combination light because it is a combination of all visible rays of the spectrum