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

2. 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
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3. 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.
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4. 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
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5. 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
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6. 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.
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7. 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.
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8. 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.
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9. 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
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10. 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.
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11. 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
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12. 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.
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13. 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
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14. 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
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15. 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.
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16. 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.
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17. 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
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18. 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
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19. 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.
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20. 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
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21. 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
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22. 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.
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23. 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.
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24. 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
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25. 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
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26. 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
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27. 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.
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