Galvanic Facials: What are They and How do they Work

Galvanic treatments use gentle, safe electrical currents to intensify the effects of professional skincare products and give your skin a thorough cleanse. Don’t be put off by the fact they use electrical currents; galvanic facials are safe and effective and booking a set of treatments can work wonders for your skin.

What is a galvanic skin care treatment?

A galvanic facial is a type of professional skincare treatment only carried out by a trained esthetician. There are different types of treatments but they are all designed to remove the build-up of dirt and impurities using negatively charged ions which help to capture toxins and then use a positive charge to draw them out. The currents give the skincare products used during the facial a charge that helps them to penetrate your skin right down to the deeper layers.

Who are galvanic facials suitable for?

They are suitable for all types of skin. A galvanic facial gives more mature clean a deep cleanse and helps to improve skin texture. The currents help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Younger skin can benefit from the illuminating effects and a deeper penetration of skincare products, which have a protective effect keeping skin looking radiant for longer.

You’ll have a consultation before your treatment where you’ll be asked questions about your medical history. There are some conditions you must be sure to tell your esthetician about, including; diabetes, circulatory issues, or having metal plates/pins in your body. None of these mean you can’t have a galvanic treatment, but it might have to be adapted to suit you.

If you’re pregnant, please also tell your esthetician in advance and if you’re in doubt ask your healthcare provider’s advice. If you’ve had fillers or Botox, it’s also advisable to wait at least 48 hours before booking in for a galvanic facial.

What happens in a galvanic treatment?

A galvanic facial usually lasts about an hour. There are usually two steps involved, using both positive and negative currents.

The first part of the treatment is a deep cleanse called Desincrustation, where a special negatively-charged pre-treatment is applied to clean, dry skin. This is great for rebalancing oily skin especially but your esthetician will choose the best products to suit your skin type.

The second part of the treatment, sometimes called Iontophoresis, involves having the pre-treatment gel removed with a damp washcloth, and a second gel applied onto your skin. The ingredients in the gel are pushed deeply into your skin using the device which safely conducts the positive and negative electrical currents.

Galvanic facials are very effective

The good news is that you’ll start to see an effect soon after your first galvanic treatment. Clinical trials on home galvanic facials showed that just one session made a difference to the look and feel of the participants’ skin, so a regular session from an esthetician will amplify those effects.