Phonophoresis: fast transport
The combined effect of the substance and ultrasound
Phonophoresis is a widely used method in medicine and cosmetology, which provides rapid transport of active substances deep into the tissue and stimulates the synthesis of its own collagen and elastin.
Lidiya Astafurova, engineer of nanotechnology and medical equipment, teacher of hardware cosmetology at the Academy of Modern Cosmetology «Beauty Syndicate»
Phonophoresis, ultrasound peeling and cavitation are three completely different mechanisms of action on the skin through ultrasound. Today we are talking only about phonophoresis.
This method is based on the effect of ultrasound on tissue. Ultrasound is a sound wave that lies above the frequencies audible to the human ear. We hear in the range from 20 to 20,000 Hz, all frequencies above constitute the working range of ultrasound therapies. Sound waves are measured in hertz, 1 hertz = one vibration per second, respectively, 1000 vibrations per second is 1 kilohertz, and 1,000,000 vibrations per second is a megahertz. Based on this, it is clear that we are working with frequencies of enormous power. In one second, a sounded cell, tissue or organelle makes from a thousand to a million vibrations. In the process of tissue scoring, the medium contracts and expands, and the pressure changes abruptly with a certain frequency and force. As a result, we get a strong mechanical shaking of tissues and cells, but as soon as the ultrasound stops, the vibrations stop completely after 5-30 seconds.
It is important to remember that ultrasound is a mechanical wave. When passing through the skin, ultrasound with a frequency of 800 to 3000 kHz compresses and stretches tissues, cells and fluids, causing active vibration in them, which leads to a change in pressure, which will change according to the set frequency, approximately 8000 times per 1 second. The refraction and reflection of a sound wave during phonophoresis does not matter (unlike cavitation and ultrasonic peeling), since the effect is exerted by the wave itself (it is important that it «steps» with a certain frequency). It is best carried out in dense homogeneous tissues, such as muscles, nerves, fluids, capillaries. You cannot work on dry skin, since the epidermis is a poor conductor. It is necessary to use a contact medium — special gels and serums.
First published in «PRO Cosmetology by «Cosmetologist» No. 3, 2021
*Full version of the access article in Ukrainian and Russian
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