Washington Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

In electrotherapy, what does polarity refer to?

1. The resistance of the current

2. The tendency of a battery to attract or repel

3. The flow of electrons

4. The strength of the current

The correct answer is: The tendency of a battery to attract or repel

Polarity in electrotherapy refers to the tendency of a battery, or in this context, the electrical current, to either attract or repel based on its charge. In electrical applications, polarity indicates whether the current is positive or negative, which can significantly affect how various treatments work on the skin and tissues. This is crucial in techniques such as galvanic current, where the polarity can determine the type of chemical actions that occur during the treatment, affecting outcomes. The treatment process can utilize the unique properties of different polarities to achieve desired effects, such as iontophoresis or desincrustation, where positive or negative charges are used to facilitate product penetration into the skin or to cleanse it. Understanding polarity helps estheticians select appropriate equipment settings and protocols to enhance the effectiveness of their treatments.