Iontophoresis Troubleshooting
Iontophoresis device no longer working properly or acting up?
Our little emergency aid aims to solve the most common problems easily and, above all, quickly. Often a device may act up due to uncleaned electrodes, and sometimes also due to worn cables.
The iontophoresis devices we sell are very stable and durable. A defect is rare, but it can happen.
However, most problems can be solved with simple home remedies.
It doesn't take much to pinpoint and solve the problem right at home. If our tips do not lead to success, please contact us. Keep in mind that we do not know all iontophoresis devices. We know our own brands and devices! Bindner Medical: We distribute devices by brands and companies such as Dr. Hönle / Hidrex / Dermadry / AAM and EASION.
Table of contents
- Value remains at 1 mA or in the lower range
- Device does not reach desired values in the medium to high range
- Device shows current limitation CL or MaxU
- Unit no longer starts (immersion detection)
- Iontophoresis unit does not switch on
- Device gives a small current spike when switching on /during polarity change /when ending therapy
- Check connection cable for cable break
- Therapie Start: Device flashes its screen, shows error code, is stuck in an endless loop
- Iontophoresis device shows error code
- Current intensity changes during iontophoresis therapy
The display value / current stops at 1 mA
Do you have an iontophoresis device that does not exceed the values in the lowest range, e.g. 1-2mA or 2-6 volts?
The good news is that this is usually not a sign of a faulty device!
In fact, there is no bad news at all - we just need to find a way to reduce your body resistance. A professional iontophoresis machine is a very intelligent and complex device. If it notices that your body resistance is too high, it will not close the circuit. Even if the circuit is closed, the mA value will not go beyond 1 mA. An excessive body resistance leads to an ineffective therapy. To avoid this problem, the iontophoresis device refuses to start the therapy.
A high resistance in the electric circuit can be due to one or more of the following reasons:
- The plastic-cover/foil protecting the electrodes from scratches during transport has been removed on both sides? Do you see the blank metal?
- Broken/faulty cable
- Body resistance too high
- Dirty/faulty electrodes
- Oily skin
Why does the device refuse to start?
Your iontophoresis device may have concluded that your body resistance has risen due to a lack of hydration or sweat in your skin. This mechanism was built in to protect patients from skin problems such as brittle or broken skin. Tears in the skin lead to pain during iontophoresis, and if they cannot be covered, the treatment must be paused until the skin is fully healed.
This problem may occur in the beginning of the treatment. It is called an iontophoresis overtherapy.
Since dried-out skin should be prevented, the device tells you: No, buddy, you have been treating your skin long and hard enough, so let's take a break before you get overstimulated. Sometimes it is in fact the case that the skin is very dry and the sweating has been successfully reduced. If this applies to you, make sure you switch over to a maintenance therapy to avoid problems with your skin or the device, as well as to make sure you maintain regular success.
All in all, this protective function is important for first-time users. However, if you are an "iontophoresis expert" and know the ropes, there may be situations (albeit rare) in which this function is not useful.
Remedy / Troubleshooting
- Choose another treatment area for testing (e.g. the feet instead of the hands)
The device still refuses to work?
2. Cables are fully intact?
-> If so: Ask another person to test the device for you.
3. Are your electrodes clean and in good shape? -> How to clean your electrodes
No result ⇒ The only thing you can do now is to reduce your body resistance.
Here is an extra page on body resistance.
Please trust us: this is the only way to get the device to increase the mA value. Even if we sent you another device (from the same manufacturer), you would still have the same problem. Therefore, please try to follow these instructions as closely as possible.
This situation usually occurs when you are performing a foot treatment. During the summer or in countries with high temperatures, it can be observed more frequently. Under these circumstances, the body produces more sweat, which makes the body prone to dehydration. This leads to a higher body resistance.
As mentioned, the problem largely occurs with the feet. In this case, hands and feet could also be treated at the same time (if your iontophoresis device has the approval for a simultaneous treatment) to kick-start the device.
Due to the larger skin surfaces involved, the resistance in the current chain decreases.
For this purpose, please place the tub for the feet on the floor and the tub for the hands on a table.
No result ⇒ Contact support/manufacturer (unit is probably defective/must be readjusted).
Unit does not switch on / does not start therapy / how to outwit the immersion monitoring
In the past, everything was simpler: you could simply power your device up and begin the therapy ... albeit with minor side effects
If the device is switched on (display lights up), but the therapy does not commence (or doesn't reach maximum current/voltage), please go through the suggestions below. This is not a common problem (only about 1% of our customers don't get their device to start the therapy). If you read the instructions below and make all the necessary adjustments to no avail, please contact us. Sometimes it is necessary to send the device in for service/repairs or to send you a new machine.
Immersion detection: the device starts the therapy automatically as soon as the iontophoresis circuit has been closed. This allows you to perform certain treatments (e.g. the hand treatment) without requiring the assistance of another person. For the treatment of feet and underarms, however, this function is unnecessary. The hands can be used to adjust the current until the desired value has been reached.
Without an immersion detection, however, you would run the risk of receiving a small electric shock when removing one of the hands to readjust the voltage. This used to be the case with older models. Devices with an immersion detection usually have a preset treatment duration, at the end of which the device powers down automatically. A longer treatment time can only be achieved by performing two or more treatment sessions in a row. A shorter treatment time can be achieved by reducing the current strength manually.
For the hand treatment, the current can sometimes be regulated by using your feet for the adjustments.
Troubleshooting
- Have you removed the plastic foil on the electrodes ? In order to prevent scratches and to show you that the electrodes are new, a plastic foil usually protects the metal surface (only for some models). This foil must be removed fully.
- Have you been drinking enough water? A healthy water balance is essential for your everyday life and for the iontophoresis therapy to start.
- Have you eaten a lot of citrus fruit or drunk a lot of fresh juice? This can increase the body's resistance dramatically.
- Use warm water in the tubs (the water can be as hot as a warm bath). Cold water increases the body resistance.
- Have you had washed your hands, feet or armpits with liquid soap or used lotion right before the treatment? This is not good, because it increases the body resistance. Please clean your hands and feet only with warm water, since cold water increases the body resistance too.
- Press the hands or feet strongly onto the distance grids on top of the electrodes to start the therapy.
- Are the electrodes free of patina? If not, please clean them ⇒ Cleaning Iontophoresis Electrodes
- Try carbonating the water (sodium bicarbonate / baking soda). Make sure that the soda is completely dissolved in the water -Alternatively (to enhance the iontophoresis effect) you can also take magnesium chloride - better magnesium citrate (see iontophoresis and the treatment water)
- You have to wash the treatment areas before commercing a session? Important, never use cream soap for this!
Underarm treatment
Trim your armpit hair before beginning the therapy. Excessive hair can lead to problems during the therapy.
Make sure the sponge pockets are soaking wet! You can soak them in water 5–10 minutes before the therapy start.
None of our tips work for you?
Sometimes the iontophoresis device doesn't recognize the therapy start, and you may have to create a short-circuit. Once your device has restarted the therapy, you should immediately sever the connection and continue the treatment as normal (don't put your fingers in the tubs or on the sponges the whole time!) - don't worry, nothing can happen when you start up because the currents are still very small.
Caution! The current value should never exceed 0,1 mA per square centimetre of treatment area! This value was taken from Germany's Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices. If you have doubts or exceeded this value, please consult your doctor.
Therefore: The short circuit must be removed after 2 seconds at the latest, otherwise you could burn your fingertips (here the maximum current density on body parts should not be exceeded)
Hands
Touch thumbs together briefly, then release the touch - for the current to flow, make sure that at least two fingers on each hand remain in the water.
Feet
Same for the feet: heels touch briefly, then go back into treatment position.
Alternatively, keep both feet in treatment position, build a brief bridge with one hand, then immediately take it out of the water again.
Armpits
Fingertips touching, thumbs resting against the sponges of either armpit electrode.
Doesn't work? ⇒ Please moisten your fingertips, especially when you have been successfully treating your hands with iontophoresis. You may also try the same procedure with only one hand.
If nothing works: The unit must be sent in to have the switch-on threshold adjusted to you personally. Please contact us.
The iontophoresis device no longer turns on
Do you have an iontophoresis unit that does not turn on? No light shines on the unit, the display remains black
Troubleshooting
Is it possible to conduct a "blind" treatment? Do you feel the current flow during treatment?
-> faulty display, device needs to be repaired
You don't feel the current flow?
Power supply unit has an LED that lights up
- Check the cable of the power supply unit, as well as the strain relief.
- Wiggle the power supply cable and the strain reliefs (do not tear)
- Shake the power supply, can you hear anything (e.g. a rattling)?
- Is the power supply plugged in?
- Try another socket / connect another appliance to the socket.
- Use a multimeter to check the voltage of the power supply whilst plugged in, or ask an electrician for help. (If you don't have a multimeter at home, go get yourself one - it's always good to have one!)
Power supply has no LED
- Is the power supply plugged in?
- Try another socket / connect another appliance to the socket
- Check the cable of the power supply unit, as well as the strain relief.
- Wiggle the power supply cable and the strain reliefs (do not tear)
- Shake the power supply, can you hear anything (e.g. a rattling)?
- Use a multimeter to check the voltage of the power supply whilst plugged in, or ask an electrician for help. (If you don't have a multimeter at home, go get yourself one - it's always good to have one!)
Voltage on the power supply ? Send in the device, it seems to be defective. If the power supply is broken, request a new power supply.
Iontophoresis device makes noises when you shake it (e.g. rattling noises)? Send the device to the manufacturer for repairs.
Iontophoresis device gives voltage spike/small electric shocks
At the beginning of the therapy
Please do not keep the circuit closed when switching on the device. Hands and feet should be placed into the tubs only after the machine was switched on and all safety checks were carried out. Likewise, make sure the armpit pads aren't touching each other and aren't in contact with your body when you switch on the device.
At the end of therapy
- The overall resistance of the iontophoresis system appears too high
- Electrodes cleaned? If not ⇒ Electrode cleaning (please follow our tips)
- Body resistance is relatively high - please check and adjust
- Temporary remedy: Before ending the therapy, interrupt the electrical circuit (remove your hands and feet or underarm pads)
If nothing helps: Please contact the manufacturer
During therapy
This problem rarely occurs with our iontophoresis devices, but it is often the case with other devices.
- Hands/feet must rest on the grids/towels on top of the electrode rather than "floating" in the water - apply natural, comfortable pressure
- Don't clench your hands or stand up in the tubs
- Do not constantly change the position of your hands and feet. Sit comfortably and keep still as much as possible - if you want to change position, don't move freely, but maintain contact with the electrodes while you adjust
During polarity change
⇒ See end of therapy
Temporary remedy: If the device has an automatic polarity change that can be switched off, switch it off
More about changing polarity
The iontophoresis device no longer turns on
Maybe the electrode cables are defect
If you have plugs on the electrodes:
- Please check the plugs
→ Do you see any rust/patina? - Clean the plugs
→ Plugs are loose? Tighten them - Put the electrode plates directly on top of each other (without the distance grids). Does the therapy start? If not, then it might be that the cables are defect.
- Connect the device directly to the electrode plates (without the cables). Switch the device on and turn the adjustment wheel to the right. If nothing happens, then the device is defect, please email us! Should there be a current flow, this is another sign that the cables are defect. Most often it is only one cable, but we think that it is better to replace both cables, so you have one in stock if this happens again.
If nothing helps, the device must be returned to the manufacturer.
If you have Sockets on the electrodes:
- Please check the plugs
-> Do you see any rust/patina? - Clean the plugs
-> Plugs are loose? Tighten them - Plug one cable directly into the iontophoresis machine - does not help? -> use the other cable
Should you observe a current flow or should the device show a closure of the electric circuit, it is a sign that the cables are defect and should be replaced.
Device flashes its screen, is stuck in endless loop, or shows error code
Device flashes / switches itself on and off / is in a kind of continuous loop
At the beginning of the therapy:
Have you closed the circuit too early?
Therapy can only be started after everything has been plugged in / set / switched on and the self-test has been completed!
Start of therapy is exactly defined, namely when you close the circuit. The immersion monitor notices this and starts up the unit. If you close the therapy circuit or treatment circuit before you switch on / are still in the setting mode, or the self-test is completed, this error is noticed and the current is not started up. The devices now try - with different routines - to indicate this.
Such routines are:
- The self test is not finished
- Shows error code like E0
- The iontophoresis device shows a wait or continuous loop
- starts flashing
- switches on and off
- switches off completely
- displays a special LED
- starts beeping
- shows a warning on the display
- shows nothing at all (this also exists - but not with our devices on offer)
depending on manufacturer and model this is different.
From a trademark point of view, we can not give a list here. Some manufacturers solve this rather cleverly, some not.
The manual will help you! Look once under "error", "error indication" or "error removal".
Simpler said / by example: Put the hands, feet, armpit pads or the electrodes in wet special applicators before the self-test is finished - or do this already before switching on - then you can wait for a long time. Nothing moves here for safety reasons.
The same applies if, during the set-up process, you have already placed the electrodes
directly on top of each other and without a grid.
in the same water bath, one on top of the other, with and without spacer grid
or even in wet trunk pockets
or in wet towels one on top of the other.
If you absolutely want to know how your iontophoresis - control unit reacts when the circuit is already closed, without reading the manual: Connect a cable directly from one pole to the other and switch on the iontophoresis device, or place both connected electrodes with the conductive surfaces directly on top of each other without a spacer grid.
Check and solution: one electrode cable out - switch off the device and switch it on again - wait what happens. The self test should be finished at some point. Then plug the cable back in and start therapy.
Is it still?
Device seems to be defective. Please return to the manufacturer!
Error codes
Remember error codes and look in user manual for troubleshooting - no success`? Contact manufacturer..
Iontophoresis device does not reach set values
Assumption: the device has already reached the maximum voltage allowed for by medical regulations and your body resistance (if the skin does not contain much water, e.g. because your sweating has been decreased, the skin resistance and the body resistance rise).
If you want to achieve a higher voltage, you must therefore reduce your body resistance.
Do you own a device that displays the values on average, such as the Hidrex PSP 1000? The device can reach a maximum of 60 volts, but may only show half on the display.
Example: you have set a value of 60 volts, but the device only reaches 32 volts in a modus of 50% pulse width.
You are using pulsed current? The Hidrex PSP1000 usually "only" reaches the following values:
50% = 32 Volt
60% = 38 Volt
70% = 42 Volt
80& = 48 Volt
90% = 54 Volt
Find out whether your device shows maximum or average values
The body resistance changes during therapy
It is rather normal that an iontophoresis device does not always show the same value during therapy
Some fine iontophoresis devices even show changes of a ten-thousandth of an ampere.
Of course, there are also slow and coarse displays that always show the same value from start to finish.
Keep in mind that the skin softens over time in water, the PH value of the water changes (galvanic bath), this of course leads to changed values, which should be reflected in the display.
Due to these obvious changes, it makes sense to adjust the current intensity during therapy.