Ok, here goes a little more.
Considering the small expense involved, as separate unit might just be the way to go, as to not confuse anyone…
Lets discuss what the effects of polarity are;
The Positive Lead
Destroys Tissues;
Disintegrates steel needles - Blackens tissue;
Produces concentrated Hydrochloric Acid;
Forms hard scar tissue;
The Negative Lead
Destroys tissue
Has no effecton color of tissues
Produces sodium hyroxide (Lye)
Forms supple scar tissue
Cataphoresis (Positive lead) - after treatment
Soothes,
Reduces Redness via constricting blood vessels
Germicidal as Hydrochloric acid kills germs
Anaphoresis (Negative Lead) - prior to treatment
Softens and relaxes tissue
Irritates
Germicide as Sodium Hyroxide (lye) kills germs
Promotes Redness as it enlarges blood vessels
So basically, to make a Cataphoresis unit, would entail, Reversing the polarity, and changing the probe lead with a wire that connects to something like a steel roller. A larger voltage would allow the greater current to be used, but would not need to be as high as 45 volds. That is just what my commercial unit uses. The current is the main item.
Also note: that threshold of current does vary greatly from day to day and even area of the skin. Largely based on the moisture content of the skin. Believe it or not, it does very greatly.
Again, some can only handle about 0.6 ma, and some others I have had take the maximum 2.0 ma. Yet the next visit, the settings will have to be entirely different. Someone who previously took 2 ma, may complain with only 0.9 ma the next time. So a means to vary the current is manditory.
Process for Cataphoresis:
Personally, I use a moisturizer that is made for Cataphoresis for my clients, but just using water or other lotion can be used. Witch hazel also is good for this. It helps as well to force or push the lotion into the skin cells following treatment. Minimal, wet some paper towel and ring them out and place them on the area that electrolysis was performed. Adjust the roller current until you feel a good amount of tingling but not hurting, and roll it over the treated area. Redness will usually vastly decrease. It is very much worth doing, and really should be manditory after galvanic electrolysis.
Anaphoresis is sometimes used prior to treatment as it iritates the skin and helps enlarge the pores to make it easier to insert a probe. However, it does iritate the skin and many do not find this treatment enjoyable. But it is really just reversing leads of the cataphoresis unit, so a toggle switch or just physically swapping leads is all that is needed between modes.
Martha Montgomery