Choosing an Iontophoresis Machine: What to Look For
If you're considering iontophoresis to treat excessive sweat, it's important to choose the right machine. Here's more on iontophoresis and how to choose the machine that will be best for you.
While everyone sweats, some people sweat too much for no apparent reason. If you experience constant excessive sweat, you may have a medical condition known as hyperhidrosis, which affects millions of people worldwide. While hyperhidrosis can cause both emotional and mental distress, the good news is that there are a number of treatments available, from prescription antiperspirants and oral medications, to Botox injections and surgery.
Iontophoresis is another effective method for treating hyperhidrosis, a noninvasive procedure that uses a mild electrical current to treat excessive sweating. Some iontophoresis machines are even available for purchase and at-home use, but it’s important to understand the ins and outs of this medical device before bringing one home. Wondering what to consider before making your purchase? You’re in luck! Below, we’ll cover everything you need to know.
How is Iontophoresis Performed?
Not every iontophoresis machine works in the exact same way, but most come with shallow pans for your hands or feet and stainless steel electrodes. During iontophoresis, you’ll sit with your hands or feet in these shallow trays that you’ve filled up with tap water. The medical device will send a small electrical current through the water, which then blocks your sweat glands temporarily, anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks after a single treatment session. Some people have reported feeling a light tingling sensation during the procedure, but the electrical current won’t be strong enough to shock you. Iontophoresis has actually been used to treat excessive sweating on the hands and feet since the 1940s, but more recently there have been device improvements to make the treatment more effective for other body areas, too.
What Makes a Good Iontophoresis Machine?
For the most part, at-home iontophoresis therapy is considered both a safe and effective treatment option—if you are using the right machine, that is. Before purchasing your own iontophoresis machine, there are a number of important factors you’ll want to consider to ensure you make the right choice; choosing a machine that is safe, reliable, easy to use, and suited to your personal needs can make all the difference.
Safety
When you’re looking to buy an iontophoresis machine, it’s important to make sure you’re purchasing a model that’s safe to use. In order to make sure that the model you’re buying uses a low electrical current and is designed to be safe for at-home use, you’ll want to check if the machine is FDA-cleared, which means it has passed a basic level of scrutiny and can be sold in the United States.
You might also want to assess different machines for safety features, as these can vary between machines. Here are a few features you may want to look out for:
Current limitation: Monitors the circuit for resistance levels and prevents over-treatment, skin irritation, and burns. If the skin's condition doesn't allow for safe operation, the current limitation feature will kick in.
Intelligent control software: Automatically starts the treatment session when skin contact is recognized and gradually increases and decreases the current.
Voltage peak recognition: Detects potential voltage peaks and intercepts them.
Make sure the model you order comes with clear safety instructions, particularly regarding usage frequency, intensity levels, and water levels in the treatment trays. Once your machine arrives, make sure it’s in good working condition, examine the device for any visible damage, and verify the electrode quality.
Effectiveness
To make sure you’re getting an iontophoresis machine that will effectively treat your excessive sweating, make sure you buy from a reputable manufacturer that has a history of producing reliable medical devices, particularly iontophoresis machines.
There are also a number of machine features that may impact how effective the machine will be for your particular focal hyperhidrosis:
Adjustable current levels: Machines with adjustable settings for things like current levels makes it possible for your treatment to be more personalized, which increases both effectiveness and comfort during treatment.
Treatment areas: You’ll want to choose a machine that can treat the area where excessive sweating occurs. For instance, if you want to use iontophoresis for underarm sweating, you’ll need a machine that provides something like pads to place on the underarms.
Electrode size and design: Take a look at the different sizes and designs of electrodes. If you’d like to treat a large area, for example, your treatment will be most effective if you get a machine with optimal coverage.
Ease of Use
Because you’ll be using your iontophoresis machine at home, finding one that’s easy to use will be key. You’ll want one with a user-friendly interface and clear instructions. The easiest machines to use usually incorporate large, explicit symbols on their devices. Other properties you might want to look out for include an auto-start function, a timer function to monitor the duration of your sessions, a pause function to interrupt the treatment, and a memory function so that your machine saves and stores your most recent settings for your next session.
Comfort
If you buy an iontophoresis machine, you’ll want to use it consistently for best results—and making sure you buy one that’s comfortable to use is essential to achieving that consistency.
During iontophoresis, you’ll typically sit with your hands and feet submerged in trays filled with water for up to 20-30 minutes per session, depending on your treatment schedule. Take a look at how different machines design their trays; choose the one that looks the most comfortable for you. If you’re treating palmoplantar hyperhidrosis—excessive sweating of the hands and feet—you’ll want to consider buying a machine with trays that have enough space to comfortably fit both your hands or feet at once.
It is important to remember that a light tingling sensation is considered normal during iontophoresis, especially when the current is increased. But by choosing a machine with both adjustable current settings and a gradual increase feature, you’ll be able to control and gradually increase the intensity of the current, which can help you find the most comfortable setting for you.
Getting the Correct Machine for Your Hyperhidrosis
One of the most important factors to consider when purchasing an iontophoresis machine? The type of focal hyperhidrosis you have. As mentioned above, if you have palmoplantar hyperhidrosis—excessive sweating of the hands or feet—you’ll want to purchase a machine that has trays or pans large enough to accommodate them both at the same time. If you have axillary hyperhidrosis—excessive sweating of the armpits or underarms—make sure the device you want to purchase has electrode pads suitable for armpit placement. If you’re looking for a machine that’s able to treat multiple areas of the body, there are devices that include both trays and pads.
You’ll also want to consider the severity of your condition. Prescription plug-in iontophoresis devices are usually best for severe hyperhidrosis, while a battery-operated, non-prescription iontophoresis device could suffice for mild to moderate hyperhidrosis. It’s important to note, however, that the reported sweat reduction rates of battery-operated, non-prescription iontophoresis devices are often less than those of plug-in devices.
What to Watch Out For
Now that you know more about what makes a good iontophoresis machine and how to get the right machine for your type of hyperhidrosis, it’s time to read the fine print. You’ll want to make sure your device is cleared by the FDA, that it will last you for years, and that it comes with a warranty.
FDA Clearance
Medical devices like iontophoresis machines are medical devices, and they are regulated by the FDA. Like we mentioned above, you’ll want to make sure the device you purchase is FDA cleared. To ensure FDA clearance, search the device company or name using the FDA’s Devices@FDA database. You can also look for an “FDA cleared” statement on the manufacturer’s website.
Durability
Depending on your budget, the cost of an iontophoresis device may seem out of reach—but that’s why you want to make sure that the one you buy will be a good investment and last for years to come. It’s a good idea to double check who you’re buying from—it should be a reputable brand that has some consistently good reviews.
Warranty
A typical warranty for an iontophoresis device is usually around 2 years, promising to repair or replace the device if it gets damaged. Choose a device with a warranty of at least 12 months, and check out the terms of the warranty carefully before you buy.
Buying an Iontophoresis Machine
By this point, you’re probably wondering how much these machines cost, and if you’ll need a prescription before purchasing. We’ve got the scoop below.
Price
The price of an iontophoresis machine will depend on the model you buy and where you buy it, but a high-quality device can cost anywhere between $300 to $1,000. Lower-end machines may be priced closer to $200, but they generally will have fewer features, such as fewer adjustable settings or a lack of FDA clearance.
Getting a Prescription
In the United States, you typically will need a prescription from a doctor to purchase an iontophoresis machine for at-home use. This is because doctors need to diagnose you with a condition like hyperhidrosis in order to make sure that something like iontophoresis is the right treatment for you. And with a prescription, your insurance might cover all or some of the cost of the machine.
Top Iontophoresis Machine Brands
When it comes to iontophoresis machines, there are a few brands that stand out for their quality, effectiveness, and reputation in the industry.
Hidrex
Hidrex is one of the leading brands in the iontophoresis market, offering devices designed for both home use and clinical settings. Their Hidrex PSP1000 and Hidrex MD-1 models are well-regarded for their effectiveness, adjustable settings, and safety features. Hidrex offers a variety of adapters to treat hands, feet, and underarms.
Dermadry
Dermadry is another reputable brand that specializes in iontophoresis for hyperhidrosis. Their Dermadry Total system is a popular choice, designed to treat palmar, plantar, and axillary hyperhidrosis. The machine is known for being easy to use, effective, and comfortable, making it ideal for home treatments.
Drionic
Drionic is another established brand, known for its affordability and ease of use. It is effective for treating both hands and feet and comes with multiple settings to adjust the current intensity. Drionic machines are often a more budget-friendly option for those looking for a simple and reliable treatment.
Key Takeaways
Iontophoresis machines are an effective and convenient way to manage excessive sweating at home, especially for palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis. If you’re thinking about buying one of these devices for medical use at home, there are a number of things you’ll want to consider before purchasing:
Make sure your device is safe to use, effective, easy and comfortable to use.
Get the right machine for the area of the body where you experience excessive sweating.
Check for FDA clearance and at least a 12 month warranty, and read customer reviews to ensure you're buying a durable machine.
Be aware that you will likely need a prescription to buy a high-quality machine, and see if your insurance will cover the cost.
Ready for more info about how to take control of your sweating? SweatRx offers professional dermatology advice and the right kind of support to help you find the exact right treatment for your hyperhidrosis.
