Galvanic treatments for face and body involve the use of mild electric currents consisting of positive and negative ions to refresh, stimulate and rejuvenate skin. The galvanic current used in these treatments is named after an Italian physician named Luigi Galvani, who spent the majority of his life studying the effects of electric currents. His first experiment was in 1791 to twitch the legs of an experimental frog – his findings from his experiments yielded information that led to scientists and professionals using galvanic currents for various uses. The use of galvanic currents are not only for health and beauty purposes but are helpful for measuring biofeedback (detecting the presence of emotionally charged and suppressed thoughts in humans), for lie detectors (galvanic machines measure changes in the resistance of skin) and to control balance (galvanic vestibular stimulation, or GVS, is used behind the ear and can be useful in flight simulation).

One reasoning for using galvanic currents for the body is that since humans are beings of light, our general state of health can be measured by observing the electrical emanation of light from the body. Thus the galvanic currents may help to “redistribute” the energy, or ions, that can get blocked or dimmed in the body’s electrical fields. As children, humans have limitless energy, strong, resilient muscles and clear, radiant skin – therefore, children are considered to be in a naturally balanced state The aging process that is inevitable in humans can lead to the blocking of the body’s electrical fields, resulting in low physical energy, shifting hormones, the body turning acidic and the hemispheres in the brain becoming unsynchronized, thus possibly leading to depression, and all of these factors affecting skin. Therefore, galvanic treatment can help to redistribute energy and slow down this breakdown.

Galvanic facials have been used in Europe for approximately 50 years and have gained popularity in the United States. A galvanic facial can be considered a “non-surgical facelift”, and results include smoothed out wrinkles, tightened muscles and increased blood circulation, which nourishes the skin cells. For body treatments, galvanic currents can help decrease congested fluids, increase lymph and blood circulation and help breakdown cellulite. Treatments can be performed in a spa by an aesthetician or at home with a special hand-held device. For a facial, a specialized pre-treatment gel with a negative charge is applied to clean, dry skin. This step is called desincrustation and helps to deep clean the pores. After the pre-treatment gel is removed with a damp washcloth, a second gel with a positive charge called a treatment gel is applied to the skin and left on during the use of the instrument. The use of this second gel is called iontophoresis, or the nutrition step, for the skin. The aesthetician uses a galvanic messenger with a chrome base that conducts the galvanic current directly onto the skin. The current is a mixture of positive and negative ions that help rebalance and redistribute energy throughout the skin. A session lasts for approximately 45 minutes and can be repeated once a week or once bi-weekly. Once the skin concern is addressed, additional treatments can be repeated once a month or on an as-needed basis. For the face, there are several hand-held devices available for purchase, which produce results similar to a spa and allows the user more cost effective, easily accessible treatments. These at-home sessions can take approximately 10-15 minutes and allow the user to adjust current levels accordingly.

Galvanic treatment is recommended for most skin types, including sensitive skin. However, it is not recommended for individuals who are diabetic, have circulation concerns, have metal plates or pins and are pregnant.

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