ELECTRICITY
ELECTRICITY
 Electricity is a form of energy that, when in motion, exhibits
magnetic, chemical, or thermal effects.
Electricity is a flow of electrons, which are negatively charged
subatomic particles, electrons, outside the atom.
ELECTRICITY
A. Electric Current
 Flow of electricity along a conductor
B. Conductor
 Any substance, material, or medium that conducts electricity
C. Insulator (Nonconductor)
 Rubber
 Wood
 Glass
 Cement
ELECTRICITY
D.
Complete Circuit
 The path of an electric current from the generating source
through conductors back to its original source
TYPES OF ELECTRIC CURRENT
A.
Direct Current (DC)
 Constant, even-flowing current, traveling in one direction
B. Alternating Current (AC)
 Rapid, interrupted current flowing in one direction then in the
opposite direction
C.
Converters
 Used to change direct current into alternating current
D. Rectifiers
 Used to change alternating current into direct current

TYPES OF ELECTRIC CURRENT
E.Electrical
Measurements
 Volt
 Ampere (AM-peer)
 Milliampere (mil-ee-AM-peer)
 Ohm
 Watt
 Kilowatt
Electrical Measurements1
 Volt – (V) - voltage – the unit that measures the pressure/force
pushing the flow of electrons through a conductor) – the higher the
voltage, the more pressure/force
 Amp (A) – ampere, the unit that measures the amount of electrical
current or the amount of electrons flowing through (the higher the
amp rating, the more electrons flowing)
Electrical Measurements2
3. Milliampere – one thousanth of an ampere (used in facial
treatments)
4. Ohm (O) – is a unit measuring the resistance of an electrical
current (pushing against the force); volts MUST be more than
ohms
5. Watt (W) – is a measurement of how much energy is being used in
one second (40 watts = 40 seconds)
6. Kilowatt (K) – is 1000 Watts
TYPES OF ELECTRIC CURRENT
F. Safety Devices
 Fuse –special devices designed to prevent excess current from
flowing through the circuit – designed to blow if that happens and
fuse is replaced
 Circuit breaker- the switch that automatically shuts off the circuit
when too much current goes through (houses)
G.
Electrical Equipment Safety
 Inspect regularly.
 Never overload circuits.
 Check for UL (Underwriter’s Laboratory) approval.
 Ensure that appliances are grounded.
TYPES OF ELECTRIC CURRENT
H.
Hints for the Safe Use of Electricity
 Ensure UL certification.
 Study instructions on use of equipment.
 Disconnect appliances when not in use.
 Inspect all electrical equipment regularly.
 Keep wires, plugs, and equipment in good repair.
Use one plug per outlet.
 Avoid contact with water or metal when using electricity.
 Do not leave the room when client is connected to any electrical
device.
 Keep cords off floor to avoid tripping.
Do not attempt to clean around electric outlets while
equipment is plugged in.
TYPES OF ELECTRIC CURRENT
 Hints for the Safe Use of Electricity
 Do not touch two metallic objects at the same time if either is
connected to current.
 Do not step on or set objects on electrical cords.
 Do not allow cords to become twisted or bent.
 Disconnect appliances by pulling plug, not cord.
 Do not attempt to repair electrical appliances unless you are
qualified.
 Never tamper with wiring or plugs to get them to fit into a
receptacle they were not designed for.

ELECTROTHERAPY
A. Wall Plate
 Facial stimulator/ Wall Plate – an instrument that plugs into a
wall outlet and uses currents for facial/scalp treatments
B. Modalities
 Currents- from facial stimulators (most common=galvanic
current)
C. Electrode
 Apparatus that conducts electric current from a machine to the
client’s skin
D. Polarity
 Positive or negative state of electric current
 Anode (Positive) electrode = RED
 Cathode (Negative) electrode = Black
ELECTROTHERAPY
E.Polarity Test #1
 Separate tips and immerse in salt water.
 Turn the selector switch to galvanic current.
 As water is decomposed, more active bubbles will accumulate at
negative pole.
F. Polarity Test #2
 Place tips of two conducting cords on two separate pieces of
blue moistened litmus paper.
 Paper under positive pole will turn red.
 Paper under negative pole will remain blue.
ELECTROTHERAPY
G.
Galvanic Current
 Active electrode
 Inactive electrode
 Positive pole, anode, red
 Negative pole, cathode, black
H.

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Positive Pole Results
Produces acidic reactions
Closes pores
Soothes nerves
Decreases blood supply
Contracts blood vessels
Hardens or firms tissues
ELECTROTHERAPY
I. Negative Pole Results
 Produces alkaline reactions
 Opens pores
 Stimulates and irritates nerves
 Increases blood supply to skin
 Expands blood vessels
 Softens tissues
ELECTROTHERAPY
 Iontophoresis (eye-ahn-toh-foh-REE-sus)
 Process of introducing water-soluble products into the skin with
the use of electric current
 Cataphoresis (kat-uh-fuh-REE-sus) – will force acidic
substances into deeper tissue using a galvanic current from
positive to negative
 Anaphoresis (an-uh-for-EES-sus) – process of forcing liquids
into the tissue from negative toward positive
 Desincrustation (des-in-krus-TAY-shun – process used to
soften oil deposits and blackheads (also used for acne)
ELECTROTHERAPY
K.
Faradic Current Benefits
 Improves muscle tone
Promotes waste product removal
 Increases blood circulation
 Relieves congested blood
 Increases glandular activity
 Stimulates hair growth
 Increases metabolism
L. Sinusoidal Current Benefits
 Supplies greater stimulation; less irritating than faradic
 Soothes nerves, penetrates muscle tissue
 Best suited for nervous clients
ELECTROTHERAPY
M.CAUTIONS for Faradic and Sinusoidal Currents
 Do not use if it causes pain or discomfort.
 Do not use if face is very florid.
 Do not use if client has gold-filled teeth, high blood pressure, or
pustular condition of skin.

N. Tesla High-Frequency Current
 Has high rate of oscillation or vibration
 Used for scalp and facial treatments
 Used to treat thinning hair, itchy scalp, and excessively oily or
dry skin
ELECTROTHERAPY
O.
Benefits of Tesla Current
 Stimulates circulation of blood
 Increases glandular activity
 Aids in elimination and absorption
 Increases metabolism
 Improved germicidal action
 Relieves congestion
OTHER ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
A. Conventional Hood Dryer
 For drying hair
B. Electric Curling Irons
 For curling hair
C. Heating Caps
 For scalp treatments
D. Processing or Accelerating Machine
 Accelerates hair services
LIGHT THERAPY
Visible Light - is electromagnetic radiation or radiant energy, that is
carried and has the ability to be seen to be similar to the action of
water when you drop something into it, the wave it creates
1) The wave that is created has wavelengths which is the distance
between two successive peaks
2) The entire range of wavelengths is called the electromagnetic
spectrum
LIGHT THERAPY
3) the only part of the electromagnetic spectrum that we can see is
visible light, which makes up 35% of natural light, everything else
are invisible rays
4) infrared rays make up 60% of natural sunlight and have longer
wavelengths and produce a lot of heat
LIGHT THERAPY
B.
Therapeutic Lamps
 produce same rays as the sun.
 produce thermal, mechanical, and chemical effects.
C.
Ultraviolet Rays (UV)
 Short wavelengths
 Least penetrating rays
 Chemical effects
D.
Benefits of Ultraviolet Rays
 Kill germs
 Produce vitamin D on skin
 Treat psoriasis
 Treat acne
 Stimulate production of melanin
LIGHT THERAPY
F. Disadvantages of Ultraviolet Rays
 May cause sunburn
 May cause skin cancer
G.
Application of Ultraviolet Rays
 Lamp should be 30 inches to 36 inches from skin.
 Exposure should last only 2 to 3 minutes
 Exposure can be increased gradually to 7 to 8 minutes.
H.
Infrared Rays
 60% of natural light
 Penetrate the deepest
 Produce the most heat

Have long wavelengths
LIGHT THERAPY
I. Visible Light Rays
 White light
 Blue light
 Red light
ELECTRICITY SUMMARY
 Electricity plays an important role in the everyday operations of a
cosmetology salon.

A general understanding of electricity and the various currents is
very important because of the devices and equipment used in
salon services.

We cannot perform skin care services safely and effectively without
understanding which form of electrical current gives the best results
for the desired service.