Ch. 13 - Basics of Electricity Flashcards
active electrode
aK-tiv ee-leK-trohd
Electrode of an electrotherapy device that is used on the area to be treated.
alternating current
awl-tur-nayt-ing KuR-rent
Abbreviated AC; rapid and interrupted current, flowing first in one direction and then in the opposite direction; produced by mechanical means and changes directions 60 times per second.
ampere
aM-peer
Abbreviated A and also known as amp (AMP); unit that measures the strength of an electric current.
anaphoresis
an-uh-foh-Ree-sus
Process of infusing an alkaline (negative) product into the tissues from the negative pole toward the positive pole.
anode
an-ohd
Positive electrode of an electrotherapy device; the anode is usually red and is marked with a P or a plus (+) sign.
catalysts
Substances that speed up chemical reactions.
cataphoresis
kat-uh-foh-REE-sus
Process of fusing an acidic (positive) product into deeper tissues using galvanic current from the positive pole toward the negative pole.
cathode
KATH-ohd
Negative electrode of an electrotherapy device; the cathode is usually black and is marked with an N or a minus (–) sign.
chromophore
A color component within the skin such as blood or melanin.
circuit breaker
SUR-kit BRAYK-ar
Switch that automatically interrupts or shuts off an electric circuit at the first indication of overload.
complete electric circuit
kahm-PLEET ee-LEK-trik SUR-kit
The path of negative and positive electric currents moving from the generating source through the conductors and back to the generating source.
conductor
kahn-DUK-tur
Any material that conducts electricity.
desincrustation
des-inkrus-TAY-shun
A form of anaphoresis; process used to soften and emulsify grease deposits (oil) and blackheads in the hair follicles.
direct current
dy-REKT KUR-unt
Abbreviated DC; constant, even-flowing current that travels in one direction only and is produced by chemical means.
electric current
ee-LEK-trik KUR-unt
Flow of electricity along a conductor.
electricity
ee-lek-TRIS-ih-tee
The movement of electrons from one atom to another along a conductor.
electrode
ee-LEK-trohd
Also known as probe; applicator for directing electric current from an electrotherapy device to the client’s skin.
electromagnetic spectrum
ee-lek-troh-MAG-ne-tik SPEK-trum
Also known as electromagnetic spectrum of radiation; name given to all of the forms of energy (or radiation) that exist.
fuse
FYOOZ
Prevents excessive current from passing through a circuit.
galvanic current
gal-VAN-ik KUR-unt
Constant and direct current, having a positive and negative pole, that produces chemical changes when it passes through the tissues and fluids of the body.
grounding
GROWND-ing
Completes an electric circuit and carries the current safely away.
inactive electrode
in-AK-tiv ee-LEK-trohd
Opposite pole from the active electrode.
infrared light
in-fruh-RED LYT
Infrared light has longer wavelengths, penetrates more deeply, has less energy, and produces more heat than visible light; it makes up 60 percent of natural sunlight.
intense pulse light
A medical 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.
inverter
in-VUR-tur
Apparatus that changes direct current to alternating current.
invisible light
Light at either end of the visible spectrum of light that is invisible to the naked eye.
iontophoresis
eye-ahn-toh-foh-REE-sus
Process of infusing water-soluble products into the skin with the use of electric current, such as the use of the positive and negative poles of a galvanic machine.
kilowatt
KIL-uh-waht
Abbreviated kw; 1,000 watts.
laser
Acronym for light amplification stimulation emission of radiation; a medical device that uses electromagnetic radiation for hair removal and skin treatments.
light-emitting diode
Abbreviated LED; a medical device used to reduce acne, increase blood circulation, and improve the collagen content in the skin.
light therapy
Also known as phototherapy; the application of light rays to the skin for the treatment of wrinkles, capillaries, pigmentation, or hair removal.
microcurrent
MY-kroh-kur-unt
An extremely low level of electricity that mirrors the body’s natural electrical impulses.
milliampere
mil-ee-AM-peer
Abbreviated mA; 1⁄1,000 of an ampere.
modalities
MOH-dal-ih-tees
Currents used in electrical facial and scalp treatments.
nonconductor
nahn-kun-DUK-tur
Also known as insulator (IN-suh-layt-ur); a material that does not transmit electricity.
ohm
OHM
Abbreviated O; unit that measures the resistance of an electric current.
photothermolysis
FOTO-ther-moll-ih-sis
Process that turns the light from a laser device into heat.
polarity
poh-LAYR-ut-tee
Negative pole or positive pole of an electric current.
rectifier
REK-ti-fy-ur
Apparatus that changes alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC).
Tesla high-frequency current
TES-luh HY-FREE-kwen-see KUR-ent
Also known as violetray; thermal or heat-producing current with a high rate of oscillation or vibration that is commonly used for scalp and facial treatments.
ultraviolet light
ul-truh-VY-uh-let LYT
Abbreviated UV light and also known as cold light or actinic light (ak-TIN-ik LYT); invisible light that has a short wavelength (giving it higher energy), is less penetrating than visible light, causes chemical reactions to happen more quickly than visible light, produces less heat than visible light, and kills germs.
visible spectrum of light
The part of the electromagnetic spectrum that can be seen. Visible light makes up only 35 percent of natural sunlight.
volt
VOLT
Abbreviated V and also known as voltage; unit that measures the pressure or force that pushes electric current forward through a conductor.
watt
WAHT
Abbreviated W; unit that measures how much electric energy is being used in one second.
waveform
Measurement of the distance between two wavelengths.
wavelength
Distance between successive peaks of electromagnetic waves.
