Compare iontophoresis units before buying one
How to Compare Iontophoresis Machines from Different Manufacturers /Factors to compare iontophoresis machines
For comparing iontophoresis machines for a buy or a change out decision, you have to take into consideration the " ICF - the IontophoresisCompareFactor"
We have to acknowledge that:
The basis for this factor is Voltage x Current= IontoFactor
IontoFactor @ body resistance @ average pulse rate = ICF - the IontophoresisCompareFactor
In one line it is simply:
Voltage (in V) x Current (in mA) @ body resistance (in Ohms/1000) @ pulse rate with average value = ICF - the IontophoresisCompareFactor
!!! (a direct current is a pulse of 100% and is is a average value - if this is not shown correctly from the device, we have fantasy values) !!!
**To compare machines, you have to calculate this: What the machine will show you (will it show you maximums or average values or fantasy values?) or what the manufacturer wants to make you believe it can deliver?
For example, do you have a strange feeling when a manufacturer tells you that a device with a tiny battery can deliver you a stable, professional and strong current? Where shall it come from? From a 1.2 volt battery? From 2 or 4 batteries? With 4 batteries in a row, you only have 4.8 volts!
We can clearly state that the Hidrex PSP1000 it is able to deliver you these values (at average rate)
60 V x 30 mA @ 2Kilo Ohm and it shows you average values - this is state of the art and the maximum the medical law allows. These are values from a professional iontophoresis machine.
We can clearly state that the Idromed 5PS is able to deliver you these values (at average rate)
72 V x 25 mA @ 2Kilo Ohm and it shows you average values - this is state of the art and the maximum the medical law allows. These are values from a professional iontophoresis machine.
For the Hidrex PSP1000, we have an ICF of 3600 "Hidrex units" (60*30*2) in direct current mode, also for the Idromed we have a ICF of 3600 "Hidrex units" (72*25*2) compared to direct current mode.
For both Hidrex and Idromed: More would not be allowed for home usage. We have here a maximum value that sets the standard of comparison for other iontophoresis devices.
Buy your personal iontophoresis unit with a ICF up to 3600
If you now switch down to the pulse rate, we have possible ICF factors of:
- 90% the ICF is 3240 (Only for Idromed: through the fix pulse width of 90% this is equal to the Idromed5 PS or PC)
- 80% the ICF is 2880
- 70%the ICF is 2520
- 60%the ICF is 2160
- 50% we have a ICF of max 1800 - means at the full power this is half effective than if you would run it in 100% (direct current mode)
For other devices having a IontoFactor at lower Ohms you have to calcutate this:
Example: A machine XY has 40Volts at 30 mA at 0.8 Kilo Ohm with direct current (and hopefully not only fantasy values) the ICF is 40 x30 x 0.8 x 100%= 960
Compared to the Hidrex (in direct current mode)
ICF Hidrex to ICF other iontophoresis machine (in reference to the example above)
3600 to 960
We can say the Hidrex PSP1000 has 3.75 times more power at the highest settings at the same body resistance than the other machine (XY).
From our experience, we can say that we have not heard of anyone that can tolerate the full power of the Hidrex PSP1000 at full power in direct current mode but, there are many that can handle full power with a 90% pulse rate.
We are not keen on saying THIS IS THE MOST POWERFUL MACHINE IN THE WORLD - we would rather state that the Hidrex sets the standard in powerful iontophoresis and more is not allowed by the EU medical right. We don’t want to lead others to state fantasy values! If you want to compare against the PSP1000, we can only say to take a multimeter and measure the voltage and the mA your device can deliver by yourself!How to achieve the best results with iontophoresis at lowest treatment times
In which fields do iontophoresis machines differ:
When you buy an iontophoresis unit, there are some key factors and concepts that you should consider asking the manufacturer of the device:
Do you build a voltage or current driven device? This makes a huge difference because you can feel a voltage change more than a current change.
Does it run on batteries or a main power supply? With a battery driven iontophoresis machine, you don’t have to take as much care for security. You don’t have to build in double redundant security and current circles. On the other hand, it is easy to see that such (add space) a machine can only deliver limited current. If you try to hack the current with a battery driven device to get a pulsating direct current, you are limited once again by the current the batteries can deliver.How much Voltage can be delivered?
At a certain voltage range, the feel of the current (in order on the deliverable current strength) is better. This bandwidth is at 50-70 Volts. This affects only high power iontophoresis applications and is not true for tiny currents.
Do you design the iontophoresis machine and the electrodes to last a lifetime?
TIP: Hidrex and Idromed are voltage driven, run in the best voltage bandwith, have a stable Pulsating current (Idromed 90%, Hidrex switchable between 90 to 50% in 10 % steps), and are proven and designed to last a lifetime
There is also a difference in how you measure a current. Hidrex measures it on 2 Kilo Ohms and it will deliver up to 60 Volt @ 30 mA at this resistance. (This is a normal body resistance with wet hands due to sweating and the tap water for used to facilitate the current flow through the distance grids or towels to the skin).
If your body resistance is higher 2 Kilo ohms (for example, double the normal) of 4 Kilo Ohm, the device can deliver a maximum of 60V @ 15 mA. If you want it to deliver 30 mA, you would have to increase the voltage up to 120 Volts to get the same mA at the given body resistance! This is an absolutely unreasonable way and, in the most cases, deadly (in the U.S. the network runs at 110V, so who has the desire to stand more than the - according to the medical right - maximum).
The better way is to take care that the body resistance does not exceed 2 KOhms. This is sometimes not easy to do because when the skin looses loses its humidity (when the sweating has stopped or decreased), the body resistance is increases dramatically. For this, we have developed the iontophoresis aftercare lotion Current Care. It shall restore humidity to the skin (by high % of Urea) and take care of the skin (with high % of Zinc). Also, it is proven to work with iontophoresis while other creams can prevent success. Current Care can be also used by psoriasis sufferers because it does not contain fragrance, colors, preservatives, and all ingredients are hypo-allergenic. Also it is a good idea to drink enough fluids to maintain a low body resistance. If this does not solve your problem, clean the electrodes more frequently. If they are heavily scratched (mostly the problem when having aluminium ones), maybe you should think about ordering some new stainless steel electrodes. If it is the body resistance and you’ve done all of the above, take a look at your nutrition. Do you eat tons of apples or other citric fruits - this increases the bodies resistant also.If your body resistant is equal 2 Kilo ohms, Hidrex and Idromed will deliver exactly a IontoFactor of 1800
If your body resistant is under 2 Kilo ohms, Hidrex and Idromed will not allow to drive higher IontoFactors of than 1800 (60 Volt @ 30 mA for Hidrex, 72 Volt @ 25 mA for Idromed)