Cryoelectrophoresis 

by Jeffrey Hui, Jing Inc., Manager 

As the spa industry continues to grow at an astounding rate, spa owners are finding it increasingly difficult to differentiate themselves from their current competitors and the myriad of spas that seem to be opening up around every corner. As a result, owners find themselves paying for expensive machines and training techniques that offer questionable results and little flexibility. For those ready to improve their day spa or medical spa, Cryoelectrophoresis offers visible, immediate, long lasting results and the flexibility to treat all different skin needs for the face and body. Cryoelectrophoresis represents a significant improvement from previously existing technology, such as traditional ionophoresis, providing an answer to the problems of product delivery and penetration.

While searching for a safe, effective method of product delivery, Prof. Alessandro Aloisi developed and patented the Cryoelectrophoresis technique. Like ionophoresis, the technique was originally developed for the medical field and adapted for use in the cosmetic industry. Aloisi found that traditional methods, such as ionophoresis, did not provide the depth of penetration to provide truly noticeable results. Traditional techniques that use an electrical current were limited by weaker currents and bulky applicators. As a result, they provided little penetration, leaving a large portion of the ingredients on the surface layer of the skin and applicator.

The alternative was to use injections to carry the product to the targeted area. Unfortunately, injections are invasive in nature, making them unavailable to traditional day spas and unappealing to the traditional spa goer. And injections are terribly inefficient. They deposit the active ingredients into the blood stream, transporting it to other areas of the body where it is completely unnecessary and has little effect. Cryoelectrophoresis provides an alternative to both injections and ionophoresis, giving clients the results they seek without the discomfort or danger of injections.

The technique starts by freezing ionized, water-soluble cosmetics or, what is referred to as the “active ingredients.” To administer the technique, a power source that provides an oscillating current is needed. The frozen solution is attached to one electrode of the power source and another electrode (the return electrode) is placed on the body. This return electrode is applied to the body in the form of a rubber pad, which is lined with a conductive gel to increase the current. The frozen solution is applied to the affected area of the body using light pressure and slow movements along the surface of the skin. As the frozen solution is applied to the skin, the solution begins to melt forming a thin liquid film over the skin. The electric current passes through the thin film and carries the product past the surface level of the skin. Stronger currents can be used on the areas of the body where the skin is thicker than the face, but the intensity and frequency of the current must be regulated by a trained operator.

Active Principles

Cryoelectrophoresis combines three principles to provide immediate, visible, long lasting results:

1. Refrigeration of the skin: The temperature of the frozen solution, which is between -10° C and 0° C, protects the skin from possible burning. Traditional ionophoresis uses a considerably weaker current in order to protect the skin from burning, which, in turn, limits the depth of penetration. As a result, most of the active ingredient remains on the surface of the skin, where it has little therapeutic value and defeats the purpose of ionophoresis. The cryogenic technology allows for a significantly stronger current. Studies have shown that the Cryoelectrophoresis technique can use a current that is 200%-300% stronger than the traditional ionophoresis current. The significant difference in strength of the current allows Cryoelectrophoresis to deliver 80%-90% of the active ingredient, while ionophoresis only delivers 5%-10%. Cryoelectrophoresis also has a vasoconstriction property, which ensures that the products are not carried away in the blood stream, thus creating an extremely localized treatment. A high concentration of product is delivered to the targeted area and very low amounts are dispersed throughout the rest of the body, where they are useless. Clients benefit from seeing results with fewer treatments and using smaller amounts of product per treatment.
2. Electrical stimulation of the skin: Unlike traditional ionophoresis, which uses a direct current, Cryoelectrophoresis uses an oscillating current. The oscillating current, in combination with the cryogenic technology, stimulates the skin, which increases the permeability and promotes the passage of the active ingredient past the surface layer. This type of current also activates the connective tissues and helps to tone the skin and eliminate toxins. These properties make it an excellent aid for post plastic surgery recovery patients.
3. Electrical dragging of the active ingredients, which are applied directly to the skin: Typical ionophoresis uses sponge or cotton material to apply the active ingredients to the skin. As the electric current passes through the sponge, large amounts of the active ingredient remain on the applicator. By applying the products directly to the skin and using an electrical current to drag the product past the surface layer, Cryoelectrophoresis eliminates the physical barrier presented by ionophoresis and minimizes wasted time and products.

Why Is This Right for a Day Spa?

For day spas that are looking to differentiate themselves, Cryoelectrophoresis is the newest, most effective technology on the market. The cool, refreshing nature of the treatment mixed with the innovative idea of using frozen cosmetics makes it a memorable treatment for spa patrons. Deeper penetration and localized treatment provide better results than other techniques and every spa client walks away feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and confident in the results that have been successfully achieved.

Cryoelectrophoresis is also the most flexible technique on the market, making it suitable for any spa client's skin care needs. The non-invasive nature is perfect for traditional day spas and traditional spa goers. Cryoelectrophoresis is not specific to any particular treatment and can be used in conjunction with any face or body product. In the cosmetic field, the technique has been used to treat wrinkles, acne, uneven pigmentation, rosacea and sensitive skin, cellulite, stretch marks, pockets of fat, sagging skin, and dehydrated skin.

With Cryoelectrophoresis, a spa owner has one technique to treat every client and every need.

How Does Cryoelectrophoresis Benefit Medical Spas?

The suitability for day spas does not mean that this technique cannot be used to differentiate medical spas as well. Cryoelectrophoresis can be used as a replacement to more invasive techniques such as botox, mesotherapy and microdermabrasion. Spa clients can still achieve amazing results but without the painful, invasive nature of these other treatments. Clients recovering from plastic surgery can use Cryoelectrophoresis for maintenance and to aid in the healing process. The oscillating current combined with the ice activates connective tissues, promotes elimination of toxins, and tones tissues. The ice absorbs post surgery edema, which also helps the post plastic surgery healing process. Used in conjunction with the right cosmetics or active ingredients, Cryoelectrophoresis can desensitize and reduce swelling around surgically repaired areas. These more advanced results must be monitored carefully by a doctor and Cryoelectrophoresis treatments must not begin until the skin is fully healed around the surgically treated area.

Spa Owners and Patrons Freeze Off the Excess

Both spa owners and clients actually benefit from the cost efficient nature of Cryoelectrophoresis. The deeper penetration combined with the elimination of the sponge/cotton applicator allow more product to reach the targeted area and less product to be wasted. The result is less products and fewer treatments, which provides long term savings to both parties. Spa owners buy less product and patrons do not spend as much time on repeat treatments. By investing in one technique and one machine, Cryoelectrophoresis, spa owners can treat all face AND body blemishes, eliminating the need to purchase dozens of machines. With the Cryoelectrophoresis technique, spa owners have a complete solution that offers long term savings.

Even a Miracle Has Limitations

Cryoelectrophoresis does have its limitations. The treatment must be administered by a trained professional who understands the technique and how to apply it to the needs of each individual client. The formula for the technique is the main limitation. Users must make sure to use the right formula for the cosmetics to ensure that they remain active during the freezing process. Freezing traditional cosmetics causes a loss of effectiveness and alters the general molecular structure. This means the “active ingredients” may not be so active after they are frozen. Current frequency and strength also limits the technique, because the power source must output the proper current designed specifically for the face and the body. The combination of products, electric current, and training is precise, so only the right machine and a well trained technician should be used to administer the technique. But not to worry, there are professionals to provide the right cosmetics and training to spa aestheticians.

The Total Solution

All spa owners and operators have the same primary needs: (1) they need to differentiate themselves from the thousands of other spas in the US ; (2) they need provide visible results to satisfy their clients; and (3) they need to find a cost effective method to provide the best possible services to their patrons. Cryoelectrophoresis is the total solution: one technique to solve every problem. It's innovative and cutting edge; the results are immediate, visible, and long lasting; and it's a flexible and extremely efficient technique. Spa owners in Europe and Asia have already experienced Cryoelectrophoresis for years – now its time for spa owners in America to find out what their international counterparts have been raving about for years.