Ask a doctor on the topic of Surgery

Contraindication metal - direct current treatment

October 20, 2010 | 10,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Olaf Stephan

Good evening,

In 2002, I had a cavernoma removed from my brain. The surgery was performed with navigation using microsurgical resection of the cavernoma, located on the right frontal lobe.

I am a beautician and I would like to work with some devices now. Since there are contraindications with this device, both for the customer and for myself, I would like to know if I am allowed to use it. One contraindication would also be metal implants.

As far as I know, my skull was closed with a metal clip. The IONTO-SKIN REGULATORS device works by creating a pulsating electric field between the hands of the beautician and the customer's tissue. This field is created by 2 electrodes, one in the form of a rod placed on the customer's body and the other as an adhesive electrode on the beautician's arm. The beautician wears gloves that act as an insulator. Low-frequency electrostatic discharges occur between the beautician's hands and the customer's tissue. The IONTO-SKIN REGULATOR operates in the range of 5-50Hz.

Is it possible for me to work with these devices?

Kind regards,

Dr. med. Olaf Stephan

Dear Inquirer,

From a medical perspective, there are no objections to you using the electrical device described above. Technically, no current flows through your body as you are wearing an insulating glove, and the device operates with low voltage. The creation of a low-frequency alternating field (5 to 50 Hz) between your hand and the customer is also safe, and your head with the metal clamp is far away from the field (the intensity of a field decreases proportionally to the square of the distance, not linearly). Moreover, ferromagnetic materials are no longer used for metal parts that remain in the human body for a long time, with titanium alloys being used instead. The only concern would be with a pacemaker, as there may be field interferences. You should inquire with the manufacturer in case any of your customers have a pacemaker.

Sincerely, O. Stephan.