Chapter 13
Basics of Electricity
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“Competition is a by-product of productive work,
not its goal. A creative man is motivated by the
desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others.”
– Ayn Rand
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copied, or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Objectives
• Define the nature of electricity and the two types of
electric current.
• Define electrical measurements.
• Understand the principles of electrical equipment safety.
• Define the main electric modalities used in cosmetology.
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Objectives (continues)
• Describe other types of electrical equipment that
cosmetologists use.
• Explain electromagnetic spectrum, visible spectrum of
light, and invisible light.
• Describe the types of light therapy and their benefits.
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copied, or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Opening Activity
• Divide into small groups.
• Discuss and record everything you did between waking
up today and arriving for school.
• Indicate which tasks used electricity.
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Electricity
• Electricity is a form of energy that, when in motion,
exhibits magnetic, chemical, or thermal effects. It does
not occupy space or have physical or chemical
properties (thus, it is not matter).
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Electricity (continued)
• Electric current: flow of electricity along a conductor
• Conductor: substance that conducts electricity
• Nonconductor: does not conduct electricity
– Rubber, silk, wood, glass, cement
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Types of Electric Current
• Direct current (DC): constant, even-flowing current going
in one direction
• Alternating current (AC): rapid, interrupted current
changing directions
• Converter: changes direct current into alternating current
• Rectifier: changes alternating current into direct current
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Types of Electric Current (continued)
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Electrical Measurements
• Volt: measures pressure
• Ampere: measures strength
• Milliampere: 1/1,000th of an ampere
• Ohm: measures resistance
• Watt: measures energy used in 1 second
• Kilowatt: equals 1,000 watts
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Electrical Measurements (continued)
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Safety Devices
• Fuse
• Circuit breaker
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Electrical Equipment Safety
• Inspect regularly.
• Don’t overload circuits.
• Check for UL approval.
• Ensure that appliances are grounded.
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Hints for Safety
• Ensure UL certification.
• Read instructions.
• Disconnect when not in use.
• Inspect equipment regularly.
• Keep wires, plugs, equipment in good repair.
• Use one plug per outlet.
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One Plug Per Outlet
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Hints for Safety
• Avoid contact with water or metal while using appliances.
• Don’t leave client when connected to electrical devices.
• Keep cords off floor.
• Don’t clean area when appliances plugged in.
• Don’t touch two metallic objects if either is connected to
current.
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Hints for Safety (continued)
• Don’t step on or set objects on cords.
• Don’t let cords become twisted or bent.
• Pull plug, not cord.
• Don’t repair unless qualified.
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Electrotherapy
• Electronic facial treatments
–Modalities: produce different effects on skin
–Electrodes: also known as probes
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Polarity
• Positive pole (anode, red): marked with a P and a plus
(+) sign
• Negative pole (cathode, black): marked with an N or a
minus (-) sign
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Galvanic Current
• Constant, direct current having a positive and negative
pole and producing chemical changes when it passes
through the tissues and fluids of the body. Produces two
actions:
– Active electrode: used on area to be treated
– Inactive electrode: opposite from active electrode
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Iontophoresis
• Cataphoresis: forces acidic substances into deeper
tissues using galvanic current from positive toward
negative pole
• Anaphoresis: forces liquids into tissues from negative
toward positive pole
• Desincrustation: used to soften and emulsify great
deposits in hair follicles and pores
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Microcurrent
• An extremely low level of electricity that mirrors the
body’s natural electrical impulses
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Microcurrent Benefits
• Improves blood and lymph circulation
• Produces acidic and alkaline reactions
• Opens and closes hair follicles and pores
• Increases muscle tone
• Restores elasticity
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Microcurrent Benefits (continued)
• Reduces redness and inflammation
• Minimizes healing time for acne lesions
• Improves natural protective barrier of skin
• Increases metabolism
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Tesla High-Frequency Current
• Characterized by high rate of oscillation or vibration and
commonly called violet ray
• Used for scalp and facial treatments
• Used to treat thinning hair, itchy scalp, and excessively
oily or dry skin and scalp
• Primarily heat producing
• Stimulating and soothing
• Usually made from glass or metal
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Tesla Current Benefits
• Stimulates circulation of blood
• Aids in elimination and absorption
• Increases skin metabolism
• Improves germicidal actions
• Relieves skin congestion
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Other Electrical Equipment
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•
•
•
•
•
•
Hood dryers and heat lamps
Ionic hair dryers and irons
Curling and flat irons
Heating caps
Processing and accelerating machines
Steamers and vaporizers
Light-therapy equipment
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Light Energy and Light Therapy
• Electromagnetic spectrum: the name given to all forms of
energy. It is made up of radio waves, microwaves, light
waves, S-rays, and gamma rays.
• Waves: energy moves through space on waves
– Long wavelengths: have a low frequency
– Short wavelengths: have a higher frequency
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Waveform
• The measurement of the
distance between two
wavelengths
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Visible Spectrum of Light
• Ultraviolet and infrared rays: invisible because their
wavelengths are beyond the visible spectrum of light
• Invisible rays: make up 65 percent of natural sunlight
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Visible Spectrum of Light (continued)
• Violet has shortest wavelength.
• Red has longest wavelength.
• Infrared is just below red; ultraviolet is just above violet.
• Infrared and ultraviolet are not light; they are invisible
wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation.
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Visible Spectrum of Light (continued)
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Natural Sunlight
• Visible light = 35 percent
• Invisible infrared light = 60 percent
• Invisible ultraviolet light = 5 percent
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Invisible Light
• The light at either end of the visible spectrum of light that
is invisible to the naked eye
• Before the visible violet light of the spectrum is ultraviolet,
the shortest and least penetrating light of the spectrum.
• Beyond visible red light is infrared, which produces heat.
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Ultraviolet (UV) Light
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Invisible
Has short wavelength for higher energy
Less penetrating than visible light
Accelerates chemical reactions
Produces less heat than visible light
Kills germs and prompts skin to produce Vitamin D
Overexposure to causes premature aging
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Types of UV Light
• UVA: has the longest wavelength of the UV light
spectrum and penetrates dermis; damages collagen and
elastin
• UVB: often called the burning light; frequently associated
with sunburns; can cause skin cancers
• UVC: blocked by the ozone layer
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Infrared Light
• Used mainly for hair conditioning treatments and to
process color
• Has longer wavelengths
• Penetrates deeply
• Makes up 60 percent of natural sunlight
• Used to warm muscles
• Can diminish signs of aging
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Light Versus Heat and Energy
• Catalysts: used to speed up chemical reactions; some
use heat and absorb energy like a battery; they pass
energy to an initiator and reaction begins
• Light therapy: also known as phototherapy; the
application of light rays to skin for hair removal or
treatment of wrinkles, capillaries, or pigmentation.
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Lasers
• Acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission
of Radiation
• Photothermolysis: turns light from laser into heat
• Can remove blood vessels and tattoos
• Can disable hair follicles
• Can eliminate some wrinkles
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How Lasers Work
• By means of a medium (solid, liquid, gas)
• Medium emits light when stimulated by power.
• Reflective surfaces in chamber create light.
• Light passes back and forth and gains energy.
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Laser Hair Removal
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Light-Emitting Diode (LED)
• A medical device used to reduce acne, increase skin
circulation, and improve collagen content in the skin
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LED Effects
• Releases light onto skin
• Stimulates specific responses at precise depths of skin
tissues
• Seeks chromophore (color component within skin such
as blood or melanin)
• Tissue depth triggers reaction
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LED Effects (continued)
• Red light LED increases circulation and improves
collagen and elastin production.
• Yellow light LED reduces swelling and inflammation.
• Green light LED reduces hyperpigmentation.
• Blue light LED reduces acne and bacteria.
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Beneficial Effects of LED Therapy
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Light Therapy Contraindications
• Light sensitivities
• Phototoxic reactions
• Taking antibiotics
• Has cancer or epilepsy
• Pregnancy
• Under physician’s care
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Intense Pulse Light
• Device that uses multiple colors and wavelengths (broad
spectrum) of focused light to treat spider veins,
hyperpigmentation, rosacea and redness, wrinkles,
enlarged hair follicles and pores, and excessive hair
• Treatments are provided under the supervision of a
physician.
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Summary and Review
• Define electric current.
• Explain the difference between a conductor and a
nonconductor (insulator).
• Describe the two types of electric current and give
examples of each.
• Explain the difference between a volt and an amp.
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copied, or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Summary and Review (continued)
• Define ohm.
• Define watt and kilowatt.
• Explain the function of a fuse.
• What is the purpose of a circuit breaker?
• What is the purpose of grounding?
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copied, or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Summary and Review (continued)
• List at least five steps to take for electrical safety.
• List and describe the two main electric modalities (currents)
used in cosmetology.
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copied, or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Summary and Review (continued)
• What are electromagnetic radiation, visible light, and white
light?
• List and describe the two main types of light therapy.
• Name two important precautions to observe when using
light therapy.
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copied, or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Congratulations!
You have completed one unit of study
toward course completion.
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copied, or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.