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 1

Electrical Equipment – Direct High Frequency 3. HOW?

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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

.

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Electrical Equipment – Direct High Frequency 3. HOW?

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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.

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Electrical Equipment – Direct High Frequency 3. HOW?

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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.

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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.

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