Louisiana Esthetics State Board Practice Test

Cataphoresis is a process involving which of the following?

1. Fusing a neutral product into the skin

2. Fusing an acidic product using galvanic current

3. Fusing an alkaline product into the skin

4. Removing impurities from the skin

The correct answer is: Fusing an acidic product using galvanic current

Cataphoresis is a method used in esthetics that involves the application of an acidic product into the skin while using a galvanic current. This process allows the active ingredients of the acidic product to penetrate deeper into the skin by iontophoresis, which is the movement of ions through the skin via an electrical current. This technique is particularly effective for introducing ingredients that can help in treatments targeting issues such as pigmentation, hydration, and overall skin rejuvenation. Using an acidic product is crucial for this process because the acidity helps to enhance permeability and allows for better absorption. The galvanic current assists in driving the acidic ions into the skin, resulting in a more effective treatment outcome. This is why the answer relating to fusing an acidic product using galvanic current is accurate. The other options do not apply to cataphoresis. Neutral products are not specifically part of this process, and while alkaline products can also be introduced into the skin via iontophoresis, the specific process of cataphoresis focuses solely on acidic formulations. Additionally, while the removal of impurities is a goal in many esthetic treatments, this is more accurately achieved through methods such as extractions orultrasonic cleansing rather than through cataphoresis.