Galvanic Current in Your Skin Care Regimen

Well into my peri-menopausal years, I am now always on the hunt for new tips and tricks for maintaining any and all youthfulness in my skin. Interestingly, galvanic current is quickly becoming a favorite in the world of skincare, thanks to its gentle yet effective approach to supporting healthier-looking skin. In fact, it might even be how celebrities get that glassy, poreless glow. You don't have to be leaning into menopause either to benefit; this is great for those with acne or red blotches as well.

You'll find this technology in many modern facial devices, where it is used to help your skin absorb products more efficiently and reveal a refreshed, radiant appearance. Whether you are new to advanced skincare tools or looking to enhance your routine, I think galvanic current will offer you a simple way to elevate your daily skin-care. So, let's chat: is galvanic current worth the hype?

Galvanic current is a gentle, low-level electrical current that flows in one direction. In skincare, this type of current is used to help your skin absorb products more effectively and support a refreshed, healthier-looking appearance. Unlike other electrical currents used in skincare, such as microcurrent which mimics the body's natural electrical signals to stimulate facial muscles, galvanic current is continuous and steady. This makes it especially useful for driving skincare ingredients deeper into your skin's surface and ultimately offering a smoother, more radiant complexion.

What's so great is that it isn't just skincare; it's skincare powered by science. This procedure is similar to charging your skin cells with energy to help them work better, faster, and more efficiently similar to what we do for our muscles and bones in the gym. When we create inflammation then our body responds in effort to recover that tissue and that can help repair the skin (Penin-Franch et al., 2022).

This works by using positive and negative ions to help skincare products reach deeper layers of your skin. This process is called iontophoresis and can even help with acne, fine lines and redness, evening the skin color and minimizing signs of aging. When you use a device with galvanic current, it creates a gentle electrical charge that temporarily opens up pathways in your skin allowing active ingredients - such as serums or moisturizers - to be absorbed more efficiently. The positive and negative ions in the current help push these ingredients into your skin, making your routine more effective and supporting a smoother, more radiant look.

Galvanic Current & Collagen Production

Galvanic current is believed to support your skin’s natural collagen levels by helping skincare ingredients reach deeper layers where collagen is made. Collagen is the peri-menopausal buzz as it is the protein that gives your skin its firmness and plumpness. By improving the absorption of serums and moisturizers, the galvanic current can therefore, help your skin look firmer and more supple. This process encourages a plumper, healthier-looking appearance, which can help soften the look of fine lines and support a more youthful glow.

If we get a little nerdy though, think of iontophroesis as the use of electrical currents to push water-soluble products into your skin using the principle of like charges repel, so positive ions are repelled by the positive electrodes and negative ones by the negative electrodes. This helps get the products deep into the skin, so every bit of your skin absorbs every drop of goodness. This can be a real game-changer for dry, dull, or aging complexions.

If you're tired of breakouts, blackheads, or skin that just never feels clean, this may be your game changer. Galvanic machine facials can really help you get that shine you've been wanting. The process of desincrustation uses negative current and an alkaline solution to liquefy sebum and deep-seated debris. And all this is without harsh scrubbing. It's ideal for oily or acne-prone skin and works wonders on congested areas. This isn't your average cleanse, it's like giving your face a detox from the inside out. You'll feel the difference after just one session.

What to Expect during a Galvanic Current Facial

This procedure is gentle, not more than a tingle. The device glides across your skin and those who have experienced report that it is comfortable, even soothing. Expect to have your skin cleansed to remove any makeup and impurities, and then a water-based gel or serum is applied to skin to help conduct the current. The device is then moved slowly over your face, delivering the galvanic current. This session lasts about 20-to-30 minutes. After the treatment, your skin may feel refreshed and look more radiant. Some notice a slight warmth or mild redness, which usually fades quickly.

Who is a Good Candidate for Galvanic Current?

This really is suitable for most everyone, most especially those looking to boost hydration, improve the look of fine lines, or support a brighter complexion. It's a great option if you want to get more out of your serums and moisturizers, and those alone can be a significant financial investment. This is like switching from dial-up to fiber-optic internet! If you have pretty sensitive skin or certain skin conditions, it's a good idea to check with a skincare professional before starting. Avoid using galvanic current on broken or irritated skin, of course. It might not be best for those who are pregnant, have metal implants, a pacemaker, braces or epilepsy or heart problems either. Safety is the first priority.

The great part is that this can be done at home! Start with a clean face, so wash your face and remove all your makeup, sunscreen, and impurities. This will help your skincare products work more effectively. Apply a water-based serum or gel to helps the galvanic current move smoothly across your skin and ensure the active ingredients are delivered where they are needed most. Then use your own galvanic current device. Simply turn it on and gently glide it over your face, following the instructions provided. More in slow, upward motions, focusing on areas where you want to see the most improvement, such as your cheeks, forehead, or jawline. Most sessions last about 5 to 10 minutes. Follow with moisturizer and sunscreen. After your treatment, apply your favorite moisturizer to lock in hydration. If you're using the device during the day, finish with a sunscreen to protect your skin.

For best results, repeat this two or three time a week or as recommended by your device's instructions. You can also use this alongside red light therapy, or even therapeutic warmth and facial massage. You can even find all of this in a single tool!

Percutaneous Needle Electrolysis Therapy

While galvanic current is one of the oldest forms of therapeutic electricity and has been utilized for centuries in the treatment of various musculoskeletal disorders (Yildizgoren & Bagcier, 2024), medical galvanism was introduced post-2000 (Bagcier et al., 2024). This advancement uses direct current modalities that deliver a unidirectional, uninterrupted current flow within the tolerance of the individual and without the destruction of tissue. This works for a few reasons. First, it can modulate inflammation by generating ions between the positive and negative electrodes. This ion movement has been shown to suppress chemical signals associated with inflammation, thereby reducing its intensity. Second, galvanic current enhances blood circulation when applied to the skin, leading to vasodilation and increased blood flow. This then improves perfusion which facilitates the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to damaged or injured tissues, promoting the healing process. In addition, galvanic current can modulate nerve conduction, effectively mitigating pain signals. We can disrupt the transmission of nociceptive signals by altering the electrical activities of our nerves, which can provide analgesic effects. Finally, galvanic current stimulates cellular activity, triggering cellular regeneration and tissue repair mechanisms.

We use this in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, such as tendonitis or bursitis, and many other conditions. Acute injuries such as sprains or strains have also been treated effectively with galvanic current, even muscle weakness and atrophy have been approved (Yildizgoren & Bagcier, 2023). By stimulating muscle contractions, it can aid in the restoration of muscle strength and function. In addition, the ability of galvanic current to enhance drug delivery through the skin has allowed even further applications. When it comes to skincare then, imagine how this mild irritation can then enhance regenerative

Final Thoughts

Galvanic current - for the skin - is considered a cosmetic or aesthetic procedure in the state of Kentucky, and therefore part of personal care or health maintenance. It is not considered to be invasive, and is thought to be very low risk. Estheticians and nurses of all scope of training can provide this service, as well as physicians.

The state of Kentucky however, has determined that galvanic current, or modalities with electricity, must be part of a medical plan of care, therefore, can only be utilized with FDA-approved products and equipment. While there is some ambiguity in the rules and regulations, Kentucky law states that a licensee cannot use any mechanical or electrical apparatus considered a prescription or medical device by the FDA unless under the immediate supervision of a licensed clinician. While galvanic current is a standard skincare tool, its classification as a prescription medical device by the FDA would trigger this requirement. Immediate supervision requires that a clinician, either physician or nurse practitioner, be immediately available - in the spa during treatment, on the same floor, so as to manage any complications that may arise. Further, Kentucky law does prohibit estheticians from performing any "medical procedures" as these are outside their training.

References

Bagcier, F., Ekici, B., & Yildizgoren, M. T. (2024). Why choose percutaneous needle electrolysis? Understanding and application. Asia Pacific Journal of Pain, 34(1), 18-20.

Penin-Franch, A., Garcia-Vidal, J. A., Martinez, C. M., Escolar-Reina, P., Martinez-Ojeda, R. M., Gomez, A. I., Bueno, J. M., Minaya-Munoz, F., Valera-Garrido, F., Medina-Mirapeix, F., & Pelegrin, P. (2022). Galvanic current activates the NLRP3 inflammasome to promote type 1 collagen production in tendon. eLife, 11.

Yildizgoren, M. T. & Bagcier, F. (2023). A modern interpretation of traditional galvanic current: percutaneous needle electrolysis therapy. Acupuncture in Medicine, 421), 56-57.