source www.iit.edu
Because Iontophoresis is considered to be a medical procedure, understanding what it is and the process involved can be a bit confusing. If you look at some of the popular definitions and explanations of iontophoresis you will see for yourself how one could be left more confused after reading some of the explanations below than before.
source www.iit.edu
According to the Merck Manual treatment for Excessive Sweating Disorders:
Tap water iontophoresis, [is] a process in which a weak electrical current is applied to the sweaty area.[1]
According to Webster’s dictionary Iontophoresis is:
the introduction of an ionized substance (as a drug) through intact skin by the application of a direct electric current[2]
According to Wikipedia:
Iontophoresis is a non-invasive method of propelling high concentrations of a charged substance, normally medication or bioactive agents, transdermally by repulsive electromotive force using a small electrical charge applied to an iontophoretic chamber containing a similarly charged active agent and its vehicle. To clarify, one or two chambers are filled with a solution containing an active ingredient and its solvent, termed the vehicle. The positively charged chamber, termed the anode will repel a positively charged chemical, while the negatively charged chamber, termed the cathode, will repel a negatively charged chemical into the skin.
Iontophoresis is well classified for use in transdermal drug delivery. Unlike transdermal patches, this method relies on active transportation within an electric field. In the presence of an electric field electromigration and electroosmosis are the dominant forces in mass transport. These movements are measured in units of chemical flux.[3]
Andy Goodman’s ebook titled Cure My Sweaty Palms provides a nice explanation of the procedure and what’s involved.
From page 5-6:
Basically the iontophoresis is applying positive electric current to one container filled with water and negative electric current to another container which is also filled with tap water. The containers aren’t connected between each other’s aside from having the electric charge passing through them when you put your hands in the containers…low voltage electricity passes and in time it completely cures hyperhidrosis.[4]
Andy also provides a step by step method for designing and building your very own iontophoresis machine. You could read more about his guide here.
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[1] The Merck Manual Home Edition Simon & Schuster, New York, NY: 2003 pg. 1095
[2] http://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/iontophorese
[3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iontophoresis
[4] Goodman, Andy “Cure My Sweaty Palms” pg. 5-6