Electromagnetic wave in aesthetic medicine

Electromagnetic waves are able to penetrate organic tissues, causing them to heat. It is possible not only to heat the surface, but also internal tissues and organs.The use of electromagnetic waves can be useful, for example, by heating with electromagnetic waves, inflammatory processes can be treated. However, one should be aware of the possibility of harmful and even destructive effects of electromagnetic radiation.

Application of electromagnetic waves - range

Physiotherapy methods that are based on the use of ultra-high frequency electromagnetic waves (microwaves - waves) are:

• Microwave therapy (frequency of waves used 237 MHz, wavelength 12.6 cm);
• DVT - therapy (decimeter wave therapy) (the frequency of these waves is 460 MHz, the wavelength is 65.2 cm).

To date, the most developed theory is the thermal effect of microwave fields - waves on objects of living nature. Passing through living tissues, electromagnetic waves have a polarizing effect on their molecules and orient these molecules similarly to electric dipoles.Electromagnetic waves are able to interact with ions of living beings by creating conduction currents in organisms. As a result, there are both passive and conductive currents in the tissues of organisms in the field of electromagnetic waves.All these processes cause heating of substances. At the same time, currents are of great importance in the reorientation of water molecules. Therefore, the maximumabsorption of microwave energy occurs in muscle and blood, much less energy is absorbed by bones and adipose tissue. As a result, bones and adipose tissue heat up less.At the border of substances with different absorption coefficients of electromagnetic waves can form standing waves, resulting in tissue overheating. The most vulnerable to overheating are tissues with poor blood supply, and therefore poor thermoregulation, such as vitreous body, the lens of the eye.Electromagnetic waves can affect biological processes by breaking hydrogen bonds and reorientation of DNA and RNA macromolecules.After hitting an area of the body, the electromagnetic wave is partially reflected off the skin. The degree of reflection depends on the difference in dielectric constant between air and organic tissues.When electromagnetic waves are emitted at a distance, up to 75% of the wave energy can be reflected. In this case, it is not possible to infer the amount of energy absorbed by the human body per unit time based on knowledge of the power of radiation. If electromagnetic waves are irradiated by direct contact with the irradiated surface, the power of the transmitter is equal to the power received by the tissues.The frequency of electromagnetic waves and the structure of living tissue determine the depth of penetration of these waves.Taking into account the complex structure of the tissues of living organisms, it is believed that during microwave therapy the depth of penetration of electromagnetic waves is 3-5 cm from the surface, during DR therapy up to 9 cm.

Ultrasound therapy (UHF therapy)

If organic tissues are placed in an alternating electric field, passive and conductive currents appear in them. Ultra-high frequency electric fields are most commonly used in this case. The corresponding treatment method is called UHF therapy. To assess the effects of UHF fields, it is necessary to determine the amount of heat that can be released.The frequency of the alternating electric field is between 30 and 300 mHz.When living tissue is exposed to a high-frequency electric field, the energy is actively absorbed and converted into heat. This causes an oscillation effect.Maximum conversion of electric field energy to heat occurs in tissues that conduct electricity poorly, these are nerve, brain and bone tissues.

The therapeutic effect of UHF therapy is:

• Strengthening blood and lymph circulation, and thus the occurrence of anti-inflammatory effects.
• Reduce exudate Strengthen connective tissue development.
• It has an antispasmodic effect on the smooth muscles of certain internal organs.
• Increasing the rate of regeneration of nerve tissue and conduction of nerve impulses.
• Bactericidal action.
• Lowering blood pressure due to vasodilation of blood vessels.
• Enhancing the exchange of substances between blood and tissues.

Equipment using electromagnetic waves for therapeutic purposes

Often the electronic equipment for physiotherapy of low and sound frequencies is called low frequency. Electronic equipment of all other frequencies is called a generalizing concept - high frequency. High-frequency (HF) generators are used for heat treatment, drying, heating, radio communication, medicine, especially in physiotherapy. Ultra-high frequency (UHF) generators are used in radio communication, television. Microwave generators are used in radar.Electromagnetic fields are biologically active - living organisms respond to their effects. Numerous experimental data indicate the high biological activity of electromagnetic fields in almost all parts of the radio frequency spectrum.The human body consists largely of biological fluids containing a large number of ions, which are involved in various metabolic processes.Under the influence of an electric field, ions move at different speeds and accumulate near cell membranes, forming an electric counterfield, called polarization. Thus, the primary effect of direct current is associated with the movement of ions, their separation and the change of their concentration in various elements of the tissue. The effect of direct current on the body depends on its strength, so the electrical resistance of the tissues, especially the skin, is very important. Moisture, sweat significantly reduce the resistance, which even at low voltage can cause a significant current to flow through the body.