Copyright 2014 © SAP

Principles of 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.

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

Electrical

Measurements– Volt

– Ampere (AM-peer)

– Milliampere (mil-ee-

AM-peer)

– Ohm

– Watt

– Kilowatt

Figure 7-16

Figure 7-17

TYPES OF ELECTRIC CURRENT

Safety Devices– Fuse

– Circuit breaker

Electrical Equipment Safety– Inspect regularly.

– Never overload circuits.

– Check for UL (Underwriter’s Laboratory) approval.

– Ensure that appliances are grounded.

TYPES OF ELECTRIC CURRENT

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 ElectricityDo 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

Wall Plate– Facial stimulator

Modalities– Currents

Electrode– Apparatus that conducts electric current from a

machine to the client’s skin

Polarity– Positive or negative state of electric current

ELECTROTHERAPY

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.

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

Galvanic Current– Active electrode

– Inactive electrode

– Positive pole, anode, red

– Negative pole, cathode, black

Positive Pole Results– Produces acidic reactions

– Closes pores

– Soothes nerves

– Decreases blood supply

– Contracts blood vessels

– Hardens or firms tissues

ELECTROTHERAPYNegative Pole Results

– Produces alkaline reactions

– Opens pores

– Stimulates and irritates nerves

– Increases blood supply to skin

– Expands blood vessels

– Softens tissues

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)

– Anaphoresis (an-uh-for-EES-sus)

– Desincrustation (des-in-krus-TAY-shun)

ELECTROTHERAPYFaradic Current Benefits– Improves muscle tone

– Promotes waste product removal

– Increases blood circulation

– Relieves congested blood

– Increases glandular activity

– Stimulates hair growth

– Increases metabolism

Sinusoidal Current Benefits– Supplies greater stimulation; less irritating than faradic

– Soothes nerves, penetrates muscle tissue

– Best suited for nervous clients

ELECTROTHERAPYCAUTIONS 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.

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

Figure 7-24

ELECTROTHERAPY

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

Conventional Hood Dryer– For drying hair

Electric Curling Irons For curling hair

Heating Caps For scalp treatments

Processing or Accelerating

Machine Accelerates hair services

Steamer or Vaporizer For facials

Vibrator

For massage

Blow Dryer

LIGHT THERAPY

Therapeutic Lamps– produce same rays as the sun.

– produce thermal, mechanical, and chemical effects.

Ultraviolet Rays (UV)– Short wavelengths

– Least penetrating rays

– Chemical effects

Benefits of Ultraviolet Rays– Kill germs

– Produce vitamin D on skin

– Treat psoriasis

– Treat acne

– Stimulate production of melanin

LIGHT THERAPY

Disadvantages of Ultraviolet Rays– May cause sunburn

– May cause skin cancer

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.

Infrared Rays– 60% of natural light

– Penetrate the deepest

– Produce the most heat

– Have long wavelengths

LIGHT THERAPY

Visible Light Rays White light

Blue light

Red light

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.