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Direct current simply means that the voltage is being transmitted 100% of the time.

Conventional or traditional pulsed current means that the current alternates its transmission between ON and OFF for equal lengths of time. The pulse and the pause are the same duration. For example, 50 microseconds ON and then 50 microseconds OFF, and then repeat.

Variable pulsed current is a type of hybrid current between traditional pulsed current and direct current and is available ONLY on the Hidrex DVP1000. It allows for the ON part of the cycle (the pulse) to run longer than the OFF part of the cycle (the pause) in 10% increments (for example, ON 70%, OFF 30%). This allows for more effective treatment AND a better comfort level. It is customizable to the individual based on their preferences and treatment tolerance levels. This is especially critical in hand, underarm, or face treatments where the skin is more sensitive, or for the treatment of children. The Variable pulsed current measurement is defined as a pulse width. Let’s look at how this compares to traditional pulsed current and direct current:

• A pulse-width of 50% is equivalent to traditional pulsed current operation. In this case, the pause is as long as the pulse.
• A pulse-width of 100% (no pause) is equivalent to direct current operation.

With increasing percentages of the pulse-width, the length of the pulse is increased and the length of the pause is decreased accordingly. Due to the shorter pause, more current than traditional pulsed current is applied. The variable pulse-widths of the Hidrex DVP1000 allow adjustments in 10% increments between the more sensitive pulsed current and the stronger direct current.

Direct current (DC) is inherently more efficient because the user is getting current or treatment ALL of the time. The trade-off is that you can feel it more.

Pulsed current (PC) can be almost imperceptible at certain voltages, which tends to work well for more sensitive applications like underarms, hands, and in the treatment of children. But because lower voltage is less efficient, pulsed current treatment sessions typically last longer.

Variable pulsed current (VPC) (available only with the DVP1000 Hands & Feet & DVP1000 Ultimate iontophoresis machine packages) is a hybrid of direct and pulsed current that allows users to maximize comfort and efficiency.

So, which type of current works best? Most users prefer the variable pulsed current of the DVP1000, but in the end, you should utilize the current that works best for you.

Switching which body area goes to which side of the tray is called polarity switching, and there are some misconceptions about it, so let’s discuss it so you can do it correctly IF you even do it at all. Polarity switching (for example, putting your right hand in the tray with the red electrode or the positive side and your left hand in the black or negative side, and then switching them after a given time period) has some possible upsides as well as downsides. It is proven that the positive/red electrode is slightly more powerful than the negative/black electrode, so theoretically, if one hand/foot always stayed in the positive side, it would get results first.  The hand/foot in the negative side would eventually catch up after several treatments. However, if you are treating at a high dosage, which is much more likely when you are treating with a Variable Pulsed Current that the DVP1000 offers, the hand/foot in the negative side is getting treated at a level that does not make it lag behind the positive side, so there is typically not a need to practice polarity switching in this case. Because of the higher/faster efficacy in the positive side, many physicians were taught many years ago to recommend polarity switching and some manufacturers have built into their device a feature to switch polarity after x number of minutes into a treatment session.  For reasons discussed below, Hidrex products do not have polarity switching features and do not recommend switching within a given treatment session. On the downside, many users that have done polarity switching halfway through a treatment session report an intense and very uncomfortable feeling immediately after the switch due to the quick reversal of the electrical current.  For that reason, we recommend if you DO practice polarity switching, it is better to switch every treatment rather than in the middle of treatment (for example, treat right hand on red and left hand on black on Monday, and then right hand on black and left hand on red on Tuesday.  That way, you avoid the negative affect of this treatment.  This is the primary reason Hidrex does NOT make Polarity Switching as a feature of the device. Whether you practice polarity switching is a personal choice.  On one hand, it may possibly have the hands reach dryness more equally.  On the other hand, it is a bit tedious to remember or log which side to do every treatment, and it may not even be necessary. On occasion, we do have customers that we advise to practice polarity switching, so it can be necessary in some cases. The bottom line is, if you do decide to switch polarity, we recommend switching every treatment not halfway through treatment, to get the possible benefit of it without the possible discomfort.

It is normal for at least one of the electrodes to become discolored after just a couple of uses. Typically, the black electrode (the negative side) gets discolored faster or more. The discoloration does NOT affect efficacy. What DOES affect efficacy is calcium or mineral deposits that accumulate over time due to water hardness. Every 3-6 months (depending on water hardness), the electrodes should be soaked in a half water/half vinegar solution overnight and then scrubbed and rinsed to prevent loss of efficacy. We often get calls or emails from customers about a year after purchase that their device is not as effective. A good cleaning always does the job.