Pennsylvania Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

What principle is applied when using an iontophoresis treatment?

1. Electrical resistance

2. Voltage differentiation

3. Electrochemical principles

4. Kinetic energy

The correct answer is: Electrochemical principles

Iontophoresis is a non-invasive procedure that uses electrical current to drive charged particles through the skin, typically for therapeutic purposes. The principle behind this technique is based on electrochemical principles, which involve the movement of ions in response to electrical energy. In iontophoresis, an electrical current is applied through electrodes placed on the skin. The charge of the current causes positively charged ions to migrate toward the negative electrode and negatively charged ions to move toward the positive electrode, facilitating the absorption of therapeutic substances into the skin. This process relies on the properties of electric charge and the behavior of ions in a solution, which is at the core of electrochemical principles. Understanding these principles is crucial for estheticians as they utilize iontophoresis effectively to enhance treatments, manage skin conditions, and deliver active ingredients more efficiently into the skin, thus demonstrating the significance of electrochemical reactions in beauty and wellness applications.