Electrical Equipment – Direct High Frequency
1.WHAT? Direct High Frequency (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xilXrGo2lfk)
2.WHY?
 Beneficial for oily, blemished, seborrhea or acne skin
conditions (healing, drying, antiseptic & germicidal effects).
 Also beneficial for sallow skin (improves skin colour) &
sluggish skin (stimulates & encourages cell renewal).
3. HOW?
 The High Frequency current is passed directly into the
Client’s skin, when using small circular movements.
 The glass electrodes are partial vacuums (i.e. hollow tubes)
with a low density of air & inert gas. In most machines, they
will produce a blue/violet light (if the gas is Argon – for Direct
High Frequency) or orange/pink light (if the gas is Neon – for
Indirect High Frequency).
 The glass electrodes provide a passage along which the
High Frequency current flows.
Apply knowledge of electricity to Beauty Therapy/Created by Cynthia Li/Sessions 3 &4/Version 2/Aug 2011
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Electrical Equipment – Direct High Frequency
3. HOW? (continued)
When the High Frequency current flows along the gas, it
produces light energy & ignites into a blue/violet light or
orange/pink light.
The High Frequency current also produces electricity around
the electrode.
When the electricity reacts with Oxygen (naturally present in the
air around the electrode), it produces Ozone (which has a
germicidal, drying & antiseptic effect). This occurs in the gap,
between the electrode & the skin. HF + OXYGEN = OZONE
Always apply a dry gauze on the skin to create a tiny ‘spark
gap’ between the skin & the electrode, thereby providing the
skin with oxygen.
When the High Frequency current passes over the gauze, it
reacts with Oxygen to produce Ozone.
Apply knowledge of electricity to Beauty Therapy/Created by Cynthia Li/Sessions 3 &4/Version 2/Aug 2011
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Electrical Equipment – Direct High Frequency
3. HOW? (continued)
The more Oxygen surrounds the electrode, the more Ozone is
formed & therefore, the greater the germicidal effect.
The gauze may be layered to create more ‘spark gap’, for more
oxygen to react with the High Frequency, to produce more
Ozone.
Never apply alcohol solutions (e.g. astringent toner or witch
hazel) to skin prior to using High Frequency – they are
flammable substances & may ignite.
Warn the Client about the buzzing sound that the Direct High
Frequency makes when in operation.
Skin should be dry prior to using Direct High Frequency.
 Start on the neck area first.
 The lighter the contact, the more stimulating the treatment.
Apply knowledge of electricity to Beauty Therapy/Created by Cynthia Li/Sessions 3 &4/Version 2/Aug 2011
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Electrical Equipment – Direct High Frequency
3. HOW? (continued)
Place electrode in working hand & make contact with finger
before placing on skin surface.
Increase intensity & move lightly across the gauze in circular
movements.
The lighter the contact, the more stimulating is the treatment.
Work for up to 5 mins.
Turn current intensity down & switch machine off. Remove
electrode from the Client’s skin.
Once the machine has been turned off, the electrode should be
removed from the ebonite handle, then wiped over with a solution
of alcohol or methylated spirits.
Clean & store electrodes carefully as they are very easily broken.
Please note that electrodes cannot be autoclaved, immersed in
water or other cleaning agents.
Apply knowledge of electricity to Beauty Therapy/Created by Cynthia Li/Sessions 3 &4/Version 2/Aug 2011
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Electrical Equipment – Direct High Frequency
4. WHEN?
 After exfoliation in a facial treatment.
 After extractions in a facial treatment (germicidal & antiseptic).
5. WHERE?
 Over gauze & on skin.
Apply knowledge of electricity to Beauty Therapy/Created by Cynthia Li/Sessions 3 &4/Version 2/Aug 2011
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