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Copyright @ Pol J Cosmetol
Pol J Cosmetol 2014, 17(3): 218-224pl  The influence of cathodic galvanotherapy on skin moisturizing in corneometric long- and short-term investigationsAnna Sierakowska, Ewa Sobolewska, Kazimierz Starowieyski, Jacek A. Michalski Wyższa Szkoła Zawodowa Kosmetyki i Pielęgnacji Zdrowia w Warszawie Summary Introduction. Galvanotherapy is a one of physiotherapeutic treatments applying interaction of electric direct current with body tissues. Its cathodic technique is acting at the surface placed just below cathode used as an active electrode. A positive electrode (anode) as a passive one is placed at the surface of the healthy skin and it is necessary to close the electric circuit only. Human body consists of 60-70% of water with dissolved and dissociated electrolytes. Application of direct current is responsible for ions movement which is commonly known as electrophoresis phenomenon. Except ions motion an electroosmotic solvent flow can be expected. Aim. Then the aim of the paper an experimental investigation of skin moisturizing due to cathodic galvanotherapy was assumed. Material and methods. A series of 10 treatments was performed for group of volunteers and then their moisturizing results were measured by corneometer. Moisturizing effects were investigated during long term observation and just after first and last treatments as a form of short term examination. Result. It was found that both series of treatments and a single therapy were led to skin moisturizing rise of the stimulated area. Short term investigations showed that increase of moisture content (11.5-18.4%) was remained up to 120 minutes after treatment completion. Long term observations showed that significant moisturizing effect (to 12.5%) was remained up to one week after 10th treatment was applied. Key words: cathodic galvanotherapy, skin moisturizing, corneometric investigations, direct current, cosmetic treatment |