Chapter 8 Body electrical treatment Outcome 3: Perform body electrical treatments

Learning objectives Identify the benefits and effects of body electrical treatment Describe the uses, benefits and effects of the products used during body electrical treatment Explain the benefits of a course of treatments Identify the benefits and effects of body electrical treatments Level 3 Beauty Therapy

Benefits and effects The general effects of body electrical treatments are: improved skin and body condition improved muscle contour and tone improved circulation induces relaxation. Level 3 Beauty Therapy

Body electrical product Products 1 Body electrical product Use, effect and benefit Massage mediums Oil and cream are used to act as a lubricant to facilitate the applicator’s smooth gliding over the skin’s surface, such as in vacuum suction Talc is used for the same purpose but is used with mechanical massagers Galvanic products such as lotions, emulsions and gels Used to facilitate the flow of current into the tissues by conduction and give additional benefits by providing the vehicle by which electrolytes are taken up by the skin, e.g. collagen ions Level 3 Beauty Therapy

Body electrical product Products 2 Body electrical product Use, effect and benefit Talc Used to provide ‘slip’ during direct high frequency and manual and mechanical massage Oxygenated creams Provide additional oxygen molecules which are released as a high frequency current is allowed to pass through. This extra oxygen has a germicidal and antibacterial effect Conducting gel Used to hydrate and facilitate the flow of electrical current into the tissues Level 3 Beauty Therapy

Courses of treatments Most of these body electrical treatments are effective but have an accumulative effect. A course of treatments means that the effects and benefits build on the results of the previous treatment, producing greater effects. For this reason the client should be encouraged to book a course of intensive treatment, with one or two treatments per week to gain maximum effect. Once the desired results are obtained a maintenance approach with fewer, less frequent treatments can be undertaken. Level 3 Beauty Therapy

Galvanic 1 A body galvanic treatment is designed to aid the efficient breaking down and dispersal of cellulite and soft fatty areas of the body. It is based on iontophoresis which is a process where galvanic current is used to pass active substances through intact skin to the deeper layers where they remain effective until gradually absorbed by the body. This process is very similar to that of facial therapy; all that differs is the nature of the lotions, emulsions and gels. The treatment is performed by placing sponge-covered electrode pads onto the problem areas in conjunction with anti-cellulite fluids. Level 3 Beauty Therapy

Galvanic 2 These fluids have a diuretic effect and cause the client to pass more fluid as urine and stubborn areas of cellulite to disperse over a period of time. This is especially beneficial to cellulite conditions where a lot of fluid is present. The client’s shape can alter because of the fluid loss although there may be no change in overall weight. Level 3 Beauty Therapy

Benefits and effects of galvanic Physiological, psychological and physical effects Uses/indications Product penetration under the active pad Accumulations of soft fat Interchange of tissue fluids within the cell membrane Cellulite on thighs, buttocks, abdomen and upper arm Increases circulation in the area Oedema in a specific area Aids dispersal of fluids and toxins Increases tissue and general metabolism Relaxation and warming of the tissues Skin texture and tone is improved Level 3 Beauty Therapy

EMS/faradic A normal muscle contraction is brought about by an electrical impulse transmitted from the brain along a motor nerve to the muscle. Electrical muscle stimulators (EMS) replace this natural impulse with one that imitates it and are applied directly to the muscle via the natural motor points. Modern EMS equipment uses a combination of currents known as ‘faradic type’ which produce a contraction without discomfort. The effect is a natural contraction followed by a period of rest before the contraction period begins again. This brings about an improvement in the tone and to some degree strength of the muscle to which it is applied. Level 3 Beauty Therapy

Benefits and effects of EMS/faradic Physiological, psychological and physical effects Uses/indications Strengthens muscles Ageing skin tissue Tones muscles As a preventative measure to delay effects of ageing Reduces flabbiness Oedema due to loss of muscle tone Helps delay ageing process Figure reshaping Increases blood circulation Spot reduction Produces heat in area Regain figure after childbirth Relaxing Maintain a good figure Increases metabolism Tone and firm during weight loss Level 3 Beauty Therapy

Microcurrent Microcurrent treatment has been used for many years for the treatment of sports injury to speed up recovery. It is now one of the most popular treatments used in salons for tightening and firming muscles and skin tissue. Level 3 Beauty Therapy

Benefits and effects of microcurrent 1 Physiological, psychological and physical effects Uses/indications Muscles are re-educated, lifted and toned when the microcurrent and particular wave form transmit a series of electrical signals to the area to be treated Muscle and skin toning after childbirth Lymphatic drainage is improved. This helps in the treatment of cellulite as lymph fluid is stimulated, toxins are removed and the appearance of ‘orange peel’ dimpled skin is diminished Body contouring Level 3 Beauty Therapy

Benefits and effects of microcurrent 2 Physiological, psychological and physical effects Uses/indications Cell permeability increases, allowing nutrients to pass easily into cells and waste products to pass out Reduces oedema Increases energy in the muscles Improve the appearance of stretch marks and other scarring Increases the production of collagen in the skin Treatment of poor blood circulation Increases protein synthesis in muscles and skin Improve the appearance of cellulite Stimulates healing on a cellular level Toning of the skin and muscle after weight loss Level 3 Beauty Therapy

Lymph drainage 1 Lymph drainage equipment uses the application of reduced pressure within a glass or perspex cup. The cups are applied directly to the area being treated while being attached to the vacuum massage unit via plastic hosing. The unit creates the vacuum by means of a pump and expels the air into the atmosphere. The resulting vacuum causes the tissues to arc up inside the cup with resulting stimulation, vascular interchange and erythema. Level 3 Beauty Therapy

Lymph drainage 2 The gliding cup method is applied to the body in patterns of flowing strokes which relate directly to the lymphatic system and move towards the nearest lymph node to speed up the removal of waste products in the area. The static application can be combined with faradic to produce additional muscle contraction. This is very effective in cases of reshaping the body where the fat accumulations are overlying areas of reduced muscle tone. Level 3 Beauty Therapy

Benefits and effects of lymph drainage 1 Physiological, psychological and physical effects Uses/indications Increases blood circulation Areas of poor circulation Increases lymph flow Areas of oedema of non-systemic nature Skin texture is improved Cellulite Skin metabolism is improved Aids slimming by making adipose tissue more available as a source of energy Breaks down and promotes absorption of adipose deposits Prevents chilblains Erythema produced Out-of-proportion figure Level 3 Beauty Therapy

Benefits and effects of lymph drainage 2 Physiological, psychological and physical effects Uses/indications Warming of the skin Abdominal weight accumulations Relaxing Heavy upper arms Maintains a client’s interest in weight reduction by causing a sense of achievement Subcutaneous accumulation on the back, i.e. ‘dowager’s hump’ Reduces oedema   Level 3 Beauty Therapy

Microdermabrasion Microdermabrasion is the mechanical peeling of the upper layers of the epidermis to improve the texture and regenerative qualities of the skin. It is used to treat skin conditions such as scar tissue, stretch marks, pigmentation and the effects of ageing. The treatment involves the use of safe non-organic crystals of uniform shape and size in conjunction with a vacuum pump that initially blasts the crystals onto the skin and then sucks them up again for disposal. The treatment was developed by plastic surgeons and dermatologists for the effective treatment of scarring and pigmentation and has been used for about 20 years. It is now available for use by the beauty therapist. Level 3 Beauty Therapy

Benefits and effects of microdermabrasion 1 Physiological, psychological and physical effects Uses/indications The healthy balance of 70 per cent living epidermal cells and 30 per cent dead skin cells is restored Stretch marks Regeneration of the epidermis gives a healthy and well functioning protective layer Scar tissue Congestion and blockages are removed from the pores and neck of the hair follicles Areas of pigmentation, e.g. after UV light exposure Level 3 Beauty Therapy

Benefits and effects of microdermabrasion 2 Physiological, psychological and physical effects Uses/indications Increase in blood circulation of the skin, giving a brighter and clearer appearance Treatment of ingrown hairs Nutrients and oxygen are brought to the skin cells, improving their metabolism Areas of skin congestion and blockage, e.g. acne or oily skin Lymph drainage of the skin is improved and therefore the removal of waste products Treatment of lines and wrinkles, e.g. ageing of the hands, age spots Localised swelling is reduced Areas where skin regeneration is required Level 3 Beauty Therapy

High frequency 1 High frequency is an alternating current of at least 200,000 Hz that produces low energy. When allowed to pass through the skin and tissues of the body, the water molecules in the tissues are ‘excited’ by the energy and begin to vibrate, causing heat. This is the main therapeutic action of the current used in body electrical treatments. Level 3 Beauty Therapy

High frequency 2 The current can be delivered to the skin by two methods: Direct application through a glass electrode containing a partial vacuum; this method has an additional benefit in that ozone gas is produced which is drying and antibacterial to the skin. Indirect application by means of a saturator which the client holds while the therapist performs massage movements. Level 3 Beauty Therapy

Benefits and effects of high frequency 1 Physiological, psychological and physical effects Uses/indications Direct application Warming to the skin Areas of poor blood circulation Blood vessels dilate locally and an erythema is produced Mild acne skin conditions found at the chest and upper back areas Increased blood supply brings nutrients and oxygen to tissues, increasing cell metabolism After extraction of comedones as an anti-bacterial treatment Blood supply aids in removal of waste products from affected tissues   Level 3 Beauty Therapy

Benefits and effects of high frequency 2 Physiological, psychological and physical effects Uses/indications Drying and anti-bacterial effect at the skin surface Indirect method Mild sedative effect on sensory nerve endings Areas where there is muscular tension and pain Blood circulation deep in the muscle tissue is stimulated Areas of poor blood circulation such as the limbs Deep warmth is created, promoting relaxation of the muscle fibres Areas of toxin build up such as after exercise or cellulite Level 3 Beauty Therapy

Benefits and effects of high frequency 3 Physiological, psychological and physical effects Uses/indications Increase in nutrients and oxygen delivered to the muscles which is available for muscle contraction Useful in the treatment of hard fat The increase in oxygen locally dispels lactic acid – a waste product of anaerobic muscle contraction during strenuous exercise Areas of oil-dry skin Glands of the skin are stimulated to produce more of their secretions   Level 3 Beauty Therapy

Galvanic – desincrustation Galvanic (desincrustation) is a requirement of the VRQ for City & Guilds but not for the NVQ qualification. Galvanic (desincrustation) is used in body electrical therapy in the treatment of acne-type conditions found in the chest and upper back/shoulder regions. The benefits and effects are the same as for the face and is covered in detail in Chapter 9 Facial electrical treatments. Level 3 Beauty Therapy