Chapter 13

Basics of Electricity

Learning Objectives

• Identify the nature of electricity and the two types of electric current.

• List electrical measurements.

• Understand the principles of electrical equipment safety.

• Examine the main electric modalities used in cosmetology.

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• Outline other types of electrical equipment that cosmetologists use and describe how to use them.

• Explain electromagnetic spectrum, visible spectrum of light, and invisible light.

• Compare the types of light therapy and their benefits.

Learning Objectives (continued)

• How many of these services could you offer without using electricity?

• As you study this chapter, you will learn how important it is for cosmetology professionals to have a basic working knowledge of electricity

Introduction

Understand Electricity

Electricity• The movement of electrons from one atom to

another along a conductor.

• When in motion, exhibits magnetic, chemical, or thermal effects.

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Understand Electricity (continued)

• Electric current – flow of electricity along a conductor

• Conductor – material that conducts electricity– Metal

• Nonconductor – does not conduct electricity– Rubber, silk, wood, glass, cement

Types of Electric Current

• Direct current (DC) – constant, even-flowing current going in one direction

– Inverter – apparatus that changes direct current to alternating current.

• Alternating current (AC) – rapid, interrupted current changing directions

– Rectifier – apparatus that changes alternating current into direct current

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Types of Electric Current (continued)

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)

Practice Electrical Equipment Safety

• All electrical equipment should be inspected regularly to determine whether it is in safe working order.

• Careless electrical connections and overloaded circuits can result in an electrical shock, a burn, or even a serious fire.

Safety Devices

Fuse

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Circuit breaker

• Grounding – completes an electric circuit and carries the current safely away

• Ground fault interrupters – designed to protect from electrical shock by interrupting a household circuit when there is a leak in the circuit

Safety Devices (continued)

Guidelines for Safe Use of Electrical Equipment

• All the electrical appliances you use should be UL certified.

• Read all instructions carefully before using any piece of electrical equipment.

• Disconnect all appliances when not in use; pull on the plug, not the cord, to disconnect.

• Inspect all electrical equipment regularly.

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• Keep all wires, plugs, and electrical equipment in good repair.

• Use only one plug in each outlet.

• Avoid contact with water and metal surfaces when using electricity.

• Keep electrical cords off the floor and away from everyone’s feet.

Guidelines for Safe Use of Electrical Equipment (continued)

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• Do not leave your client unattended while the client is connected to an electrical device.

• Do not attempt to clean around electric outlets while equipment is plugged in.

• Do not touch two metal objects at the same time if either is connected to an electric current.

Guidelines for Safe Use of Electrical Equipment (continued)

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• Do not step on or place objects on electrical cords.

• Do not allow electrical cords to become twisted; this can cause a short circuit.

• Do not attempt to repair electrical appliances on your own.

Guidelines for Safe Use of Electrical Equipment (continued)

One Plug Per Outlet

Understand Electrotherapy

• Electrotherapy – the use of electrical currents to treat the skin

• Electrode (probe) – an apparatus that conducts the electric current from the machine to the client’s skin

• Polarity – positive or negative state of electric current; electrotherapy devices have a negatively charged pole and a positively charged pole

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

Modalities

• Galvanic current

• Microcurrent

• Tesla high-frequency current

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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

Galvanic Current (continued)

• Iontophoresis – process of introducing water-soluble products in the skin with the use of electric current

• Cataphoresis – forces acidic substances into deeper tissues 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

Microcurrent

• An extremely low level of electricity that mirrors the body’s natural electrical impulses

• Can be used for iontophoresis, firming, toning, and soothing skin

Microcurrent Benefits

• Improves blood and lymph circulation

• Produces acidic and alkaline reactions

• Opens and closes hair follicles and pores

• Increases muscle tone

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• Restores elasticity

• Reduces redness and inflammation

• Minimizes healing time for acne lesions

• Improves the natural protective barrier of the skin

• Increases metabolism

Microcurrent Benefits (continued)

Tesla High-Frequency Current

• Characterized by 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 and scalp• Primarily heat producing• Stimulating or soothing, depending on the

method• Usually made from glass or metal

Tesla Current Benefits

• Stimulates blood circulation• Increases elimination and absorption• Increases skin metabolism• Improves germicidal action• Relieves skin congestion

Identify Other Electrical Equipment

• 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

Explain Light Energy and Light Therapy

• Electromagnetic spectrum – the name given to all forms of energy

• Wavelength – the distance between successive peaks of electromagnetic waves

– Long wavelengths: have a low frequency– Short wavelengths: have a higher frequency

Waveform

Waveform• The measurement of the

distance between two wavelength

Visible Spectrum of Light

• Visible spectrum of light – the part of the electromagnetic spectrum that can be seen– Visible light makes up only 35 percent of natural

sunlight.– Violet has shortest wavelength.– Red has longest wavelength.– Infrared is just below red; ultraviolet is just above

violet

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Visible Spectrum of Light (continued)

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.

Ultraviolet (UV) Light

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 some germs

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

• UVC – blocked by the ozone layer

Infrared Light

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

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

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 or semiconductor).

• Medium emits light when stimulated by power.

• Reflective surfaces in chamber create light.

• Light passes back and forth and gains energy.

Laser Hair Removal

Light-Emitting Diode (LED)

• A medical device usedto reduce acne, increase blood circulation, and improve collagen contentin 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 such as stimulating circulation or reducing bacteria.

Beneficial Effects of LED Therapy

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.

Summary and Review

• Because many of the devices and pieces of equipment we use in beauty services are electrical it is important to have a general understanding of the basics of electricity.

• We cannot perform various skin care services safely and effectively without understanding which form of electrical current will give the best results for the desired service.

Chapter Review Questions

1. Define electric current.

2. Explain the difference between a conductor and a nonconductor (insulator).

3. Describe the two types of electric current and give examples of each.

4. Explain the difference between a volt and an amp.

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5. Define ohm.

6. Define watt and kilowatt.

7. Explain the function of a fuse.

8. What is the purpose of a circuit breaker?

9. What is the purpose of grounding?

Chapter Review Questions (continued)

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10. List at least five steps to take for electrical safety.

Chapter Review Questions (continued)

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11. List and describe the three main electric modalities (currents) used in cosmetology.

12. What are electromagnetic spectrum of radiation, visible light, and white light?

Chapter Review Questions (continued)

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13. List and describe the two main types of light therapy.

14. What are the benefits of LED therapies?

15. Identify the colors of LED lights and their wavelengths (nm)?

16. Name two important precautions to observe when using light therapy.

Chapter Review Questions (continued)