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From Bio Therapeutic
http://www.bio-therapeutic.com/about_microcurrent.htm
About Microcurrent
Throughout the ages, people have experimented with treatments intended to enhance their appearance and slow the aging process. From the early Egyptian’s use of kohl and mineral pigments to tightly drawn corsets of the Victorian era, women have endured much in the name of youth and beauty. In our modern world, we are fortunate to be able to turn to technology for our fountain of youth, and one of the most important innovations to have sprung from this well of technological advances is the use of microcurrent.
Microcurrent is truly the “diamond in the rough” when it comes to wellness and anti-aging. Its use in esthetics has existed since the late 70’s, and like many good things, has come full circle and is now in full bloom in the eyes of today’s estheticians.
Microcurrent is a low level of electrical current that mirrors the body’s own natural current, subsensory in most cases. It’s proven and accepted properties, and potential range of applications from wound healing, muscle re-habilitation, macular degeneration, to lymphodema continue to assist medical practitioners with amazing results. Although microcurrent is credited by hundreds of medical studies, we must stay focused on how these studies and this technology can benefit and support us as estheticians in pursuit of our mission of beautifying the skin.
The intended use for microcurrent in esthetics is to allow the esthetician a powerful and effective tool to aid in the battle of anti-aging by diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve the texture and appearance of the skin, and reducing the overall visual appearance of aging.
Most microcurrent applications and results, whether they are medical or esthetic, rely on the same mechanisms of action. Even without defining each in detail, the list is very impressive, and the underlying principles logical.
Increased circulatory benefits: blood and lymph (1)
Muscle re-education (2)
Iontophoresis: product penetration (3)
Increased natural production of collagen and elastin (4)
Increase in protein synthesis, gluco neo-genesis and membranes transport (5)
Increase in mitochondria activity, ATP (adenosine tri phosphate (6))
Dispersion of hardened collagen (7)
How does microcurrent in esthetics work?
The noted principal microcurrent mechanisms of action occur simultaneously and harmoniously during a typical 45-minute microcurrent facial treatment. One attribute is not more important than another, as they work as a team with the common purpose of creating a healthier more youthful appearance.
Muscle re-education is most related to the term “facial toning”. There are 32 different muscles of the face that are manipulated during the average microcurrent facial treatment. True microcurrent uses less than 500 microamperes and because of its low intensity, is typically subsensory, and cannot cause a physical or visual manipulation of the muscle via the electrical current. Bearing this in mind, an accessory such as probes or electric gloves are used to physically move the muscle into the desired position to perform what is known as muscle re-education; the process of lengthening or shortening muscles. Muscle re-education conceptually can be done without electrical current, much like a massage therapist does. Working a muscle from the belly outward will have a lengthening effect that is necessary on muscles that have become increasingly contracted over years of facial expressions. Working a muscle from the origin and insertion point inward will have a shortening effect that is necessary for the majority of the muscles which have become elongated over many years of age and gravity. This concept was coined as GTO (golgi tendon origin) by Dr. Goodhart in the late 60’s and is widely accepted and used today. (8)
ATP (adenosine triphosphate) molecules are the storage and distribution vehicles for energy in the body. Energy is made through an electrochemical process within the mitochondria when the nucleotide adenosine diphosphate (ADP) passes a strong phosphate high-energy bond to another nucleotide adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This energy conversion (electron transport) is made within the mitochondria. The mitochondria then send this energy electron to where ever it is needed within the cell. ATP is known as the “energy of life” and drives a number of biological processes such as photosynthesis, muscle contractions/re-education, protein synthesis, and membrane transport. (9)
The 1982 Cheng study proves that ATP (adenosine tri phosphate) levels were increased by 500% on tissue that was treated utilizing less than 500 Ua (microamperes). The study also indicated that ATP levels plummeted and depleted when treated with over 500 Ua. The idea that ATP can be stock piled or stored is the reason why microcurrent treatment results are cumulative and results become better as a series of treatments progresses. The dramatic increase of ATP levels allows the muscles to stay in the new re-educated position for longer periods of time. In the same study Cheng also observed that aminoisobutyric acid uptake increased dramatically which led to 30%-40% increase in protein synthesis and membrane transport.
Bearing the Cheng study in mind, it is understandable why individuals who use EMS type devices, like some hand held devices seen on TV infomercials that use as much as 5,000 Ua, do receive some instant tonification, however, when used cumulatively create flaccid and lifeless muscles that are completely void of ATP.
Aside from muscle re-education and massive increases in ATP levels, microcurrent has other proven benefits for esthetic applications. Dr. Chi, Director of the University of Washington Department of Pathology, performed clinical studies using the Bio-Ultimate Gold manufactured by Bio-Therapeutic. He notes, “The fact that this technology works in harmony with the body is evident. Examination of skin tissue treated with microcurrent showed a 45% increase in the number of elastin fibers in the dermis, and the length of the fibers on average doubled. The collagen thickness in the connective tissue increased 10%, and the number of blood vessels increased by 35%. The application of microcurrent to skin and tissue produced a firmer and tighter feeling on the skin surface.”
Many of the studies detailing the massive increase in speed regarding wound healing refer to ATP as one of the attributing factors. The other attributing factor is an increase in blood circulation. Blood circulation has everything to do with the function, condition, color and over all health of our skin, as well as underlying tissue. Dr. Chi’s 2003 study performed at the University of Washington further notes a 35% increases in blood circulation in tissue treated with microcurrent.
In terms of product penetration, microcurrent offers specific iontophoresis which allows superior penetration of water base products into the skin. The idea that the electrical current emits from one probe and returns to the other allows specific focus of product penetration, verses traditional methods that send incredibly high electrical currents unnecessarily throughout the body to achieve a simple task. Profound results can be achieved by products through inotophoreses.
Lymphatic drainage is a very overlooked treatment in esthetics, although gaining momentum in recent years. Clinical studies performed using microcurrent at the Tuen Muen Hospital in 1988 indicated that lymphatic drainage was increased by 28% on post cancer patients suffering from lymphodema.
Dr. Chi’s 1999 study also proved that redness, irritation, and inflammation of surgically traumatized tissue could be significantly decreased when treated with microcurrent. Related to this, the build up of hardened collagen that makes up scar tissue was noted to be 3 to 5 times less in tissue treated with microcurrent. Further studies also indicated an amazing dispersion of existing scar tissue when treated with microcurrent. Saying that, in the realm of plastic surgery we can see the obvious place for microcurrent technology. By administering a series of treatments prior to surgery, muscle and tissue condition is maximized, inclusive of an excessive storage of ATP. Microcurrent treatment of sutures and trauma post op decreases the down time by reducing inflammation, redness and irritation, while enhancing the healing ability and minimizing scar tissue. Post surgery treatments are also vital to maintain the results of the surgical work.
