Optimal electrodes for use with TimeWaver Frequency, Healy, and other microcurrent devices
Abstract. Uno Vita AS and our Clinic for Integrative Medicine (clinic for integrative medicine) have, after years of clinical testing and evaluation of electrotherapy electrodes for microcurrent stimulation, reached the following conclusion:
1. SIS electrostimulation electrodes in pure silver offer the best overall functionality and have excellent electrical parameters such as consistently low resistance, good conductivity, and the ability to deliver a steady flow of electrons to the tissue. They can be reused over a longer period and do not cause skin irritation (must be kept moist during treatment). The SIS silver electrodes can also be used for an iontophoresis (transdermal drug delivery) "similar" application, since there will be a flow of silver ions to the tissue. There are other electrodes specifically designed for general iontophoresis, not mentioned here. SIS electrodes are not self-adhesive and must be secured with a standard medical fixation tape, for example Fixomull.
2. Axelgaard Blue X and Pals Blue hydrogel electrotherapy electrodes. These are electrodes that provide the best conductivity and low resistance compared with other electrodes on the market, surpassed only by the SIS pure silver electrodes. Axelgaard electrodes are self-adhesive and hypoallergenic, which means they very rarely cause skin irritation compared with other self-adhesive electrodes on the market. Each electrode can be used up to +-20 times when kept clean (rinse with clean water after use before placing them back on the holders).
Conclusion. Uno Vita recommends and offers only the unique and professional medically approved SIS silver electrotherapy electrodes and Axelgaard premium latest-generation wire electrodes, not "snap," for optimal treatment results. This means that if you use Healy or TimeWaver microcurrent devices and want to have the best electrodes available on the market, you can do so. For Healy, you must purchase a set of high-quality electrotherapy wires from our store (shop.unovita.com) in order to use them with Healy, which comes with wires with "snap" connectors as standard.
Not all electrodes are made equal. Different electrical properties produce different results. In short, electrodes have different electrical properties such as conductivity, resistance, and the ability to deliver a constant flow of electrons to the tissue over time (during a treatment). When you choose to use professional electrodes of first-class quality, you can use lower voltage (intensity) settings, which are closer to the body’s natural signaling, reducing the risk of any negative effects or overstimulation of the tissue and increasing the effectiveness of the treatment.
In this case, "less is more", meaning that the closer you get to the body’s natural signals, the better. It is a bit like someone giving you a message in a soft, pleasant voice—you are usually open to considering the information. If someone shouts it loudly, you will most likely go into a defensive mode.
Especially effective frequencies. Low frequency is often powerful (below 0.1Hz - 50 Hz) when used correctly, as in the Deep Cycle programs and next-generation programs from the developer. Low-frequency microcurrents can more easily penetrate the skin if the resistance is unusually low and continues to remain low over time. These effects can significantly influence the effectiveness of the treatments, especially during longer treatment sessions. There is a similar effect with high frequency. In general, it is well known in bioimpedance research that at lower frequencies they cannot pass through all tissue types and cell membranes in the same way higher frequencies can. Low frequency will travel around cells through extracellular water.
Comfort, skin irritation, and long-term use. The SIS electrodes in pure silver are not only highly conductive and have the best electrical properties in their class, but they also deliver silver ions to the skin and tissue (depending on the programs used). This may help inhibit infections, support wound healing, and improve treatment outcomes overall. The SIS electrodes must be moistened with pure water and attached using regular medical fixation tape, since there is no gel or similar on them (only pure silver). You can also use Dr. Carol Dean’s Pico Silver Solution, or a blend of pico minerals available in our store, for iontophoresis-like effects (in case size matters, since the pico mineral solutions contain only ultra-small ions and no regular particles). If the liquid you use to moisten the silver electrodes contains metal ions in pico size, some of them may to some extent be “pushed” into the tissue. Normally, this is done using direct currents. The SIS electrodes should be moistened for 3–4 hours if you are using special long-term programs to achieve optimal results. Skin irritation when using these electrodes correctly is very uncommon; in fact, we have not experienced any problems when clients use low-intensity settings (at Healy minimum) on clean skin with wet electrodes. If you wish to moisten the electrodes with pico mineral solutions, you should fill the liquid into a nasal spray/diffuser and spray the well before use.
The self-adhesive professional electrodes from Axelgaard, the latest-generation UltraStim® X BLUE, use advanced hydrogel for those with extremely sensitive skin and are the next evolution of the superior UltraStim® X design. The distinctive silver grid pattern on the UltraStim® X BLUE electrodes provides even current distribution, resulting in a more comfortable therapy treatment for the user. The oversized edge is specially designed to facilitate proper removal to further promote electrode durability. These are the best self-adhesive electrodes we can offer also in terms of conductivity and resistance. These electrodes are a more affordable alternative to the superior SIS silver electrodes.
Written by Jan Fr. Poleszynski
Uno Vita AS – Copyright 2021
