NIC Esthetician Written ExamTreatment ProceduresMedium
A technician is performing a facial on a client with dehydrated skin and wants to enhance the penetration of a hydrating serum. Which electrical modality would be most effective for driving the active ingredients deeper into the skin?
- AHigh-frequency current
- BMicrocurrent
- CGalvanic current (iontophoresis)
- DFaradic current
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Galvanic current (iontophoresis)
Iontophoresis, utilizing galvanic current, is specifically designed to introduce water-soluble products containing active ingredients into the skin through the use of an electrical current, making it ideal for enhancing serum penetration in dehydrated skin.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. High-frequency current is used for antiseptic, oxygenating, and calming effects, not for product penetration.
- B. Microcurrent is primarily used for muscle toning and lifting, not for driving products into the skin.
- D. Faradic current is used for muscle contraction and toning, similar to microcurrent but often stronger, not for product penetration.
Iontophoresis for Product Penetration
A process that uses galvanic current to introduce water-soluble products into the skin. It relies on the principle that like charges repel and opposite charges attract.
- Enhances penetration of serums and ampoules
- Requires water-soluble products with an ionic charge
- Uses both positive and negative poles of galvanic current
- Beneficial for dehydrated, aging, or congested skin
Memory trick: Currents carry care.