The technology behind IoNNiZ®

IoNNiZ® is trichology and scalp therapy equipment that delivers active ingredients to the scalp and the hair fiber.

  • Stratum
    corneum    The outermost layer of the skin protects the scalp from the entry of substances.
  • Lipid
    barrier    The lipids between cells make it harder for active ingredients to pass through.
  • Follicular
    pathway    Pilosebaceous follicles are an entry route and work as a reservoir for topical actives.
  • IoNNiZ®Designed to work with both pathways, the skin and the follicles.

  • Iontophoresis

    A low-intensity electric current moves ionized active ingredients through attraction and repulsion of charges. Transport happens by electromigration, which moves the charged molecules, and by electro-osmosis, a solvent flow that can also carry neutral or larger substances.

  • Phonophoresis

    Square-wave ultrasound produces cold microvibrations that briefly alter the organization of the lipid barrier. The product spreads better through the skin, the follicular ostia and the fiber, without heating or damaging the tissue.

  • Electroporation

    Electric pulses briefly increase the permeability of cell membranes and form temporary channels through which active ingredients with higher molecular weight can pass.

The engineering of the square wave

A sine wave rises and falls gradually. A square wave switches quickly between energy levels and holds well-defined plateaus during the active cycle: it rises faster, has sharper peaks and delivers energy more predictably.

In biomedical engineering, electroporation systems use square pulses because they reach the required electric field quickly.

In IoNNiZ®, the stimulation and rest cycles allow active ingredients to permeate without continuous energy, within the safety limits set in the electronic design.

Sine waveRises and falls gradually

Square waveFast peak, plateau and pause

In practice

Oscilloscope showing the square wave generated by IoNNiZ®, with the device's pen connected.

The IoNNiZ® square wave measured on an oscilloscope, with the device's pen connected: defined peaks and pauses between them.

Where IoNNiZ® acts

From the scalp to the tip of the hair, on three levels.

  1. Superficial skin barrier

    Prepares the scalp to receive the active ingredients.

  2. Follicular ostia and pilosebaceous unit

    Supports the deposit of active ingredients where the hair grows.

  3. Hair shaft

    Improves the distribution of moisturizing, nourishing and restorative actives along the fiber.

Official indications

According to the instruction manual registered with ANVISA (registration No. 81405469003), IoNNiZ® is indicated for:

  • Hair loss treatment (telogen effluvium)
  • Acceleration of hair growth
  • Treatment of androgenetic alopecia

Professional use, after evaluating each client, following the device's instructions for use.

Versatility

The handpiece accepts interchangeable electrodes and allows:

  • Ultrasonic scalp peeling, supporting cell renewal
  • Use on dry or wet hair, depending on the needs of the protocol
  • Use on its own or combined with cosmetics, lotions, hair masks and mesotherapy
  • Hair shaft treatment with a variety of actives, including butters and nutrient complexes
IoNNiZ® ball electrode seated in the side holder, next to the device's panel

Technical specifications

Operating voltage100 to 230 V
Power20 VA
Fuse20AGT, 250 V, 1 A
Electrical protection classClass I, type BF applied part
Operating temperature0 °C to 25 °C
Main unit weight1 kg
Total kit weight2.5 kg
Unit dimensions (W × D × H)385 × 305 × 185 mm
Bag dimensions (W × D × H)420 × 320 × 200 mm
ANVISA registration81405469003

Studies with IoNNiZ®

Specialization theses in Trichology using IoNNiZ®. They include literature reviews and case reports. The theses are in Portuguese.

  • IoNNiZ: ondas ultrassônicas no eflúvio telógeno

    Author: Fabiani Calabrez de AndradeA thesis on the use of IoNNiZ® ultrasonic waves in scalp therapy protocols for telogen effluvium.

    Read the study

  • IoNNiZ: ondas ultrassônicas no crescimento capilar

    Author: Glaucia Freire BatistaA thesis on the use of IoNNiZ® ultrasonic waves in protocols aimed at hair growth.

    Read the study

  • Ionização e permeação através de ondas ultrassônicas em calvície androgenética

    Author: Fabiani Calabrez de AndradeA thesis on ionization and permeation of active ingredients with ultrasonic waves in protocols for androgenetic alopecia.

    Read the study

Scientific references

See references

The references describe the physical principles of the features. They are not clinical studies with IoNNiZ®.

Phonophoresis

  • ANTICH, T. J. et al. Phonophoresis: the principles of the ultrasonic driving force and its application to the treatment of selected musculoskeletal conditions. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 1982.
  • MITRAGOTRI, S.; BLANKSCHTEIN, D.; LANGER, R. Transdermal drug delivery using low-frequency sonophoresis. Pharmaceutical Research, v. 13, n. 3, p. 411–420, 1996. DOI: 10.1023/A:1016096626810.
  • LAVON, I.; KOST, J. Ultrasound and transdermal drug delivery. Drug Discovery Today, 2004.

Electroporation

  • PRAUSNITZ, M. R. A practical assessment of transdermal drug delivery by skin electroporation. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, v. 35, n. 1, p. 61–76, 1999. DOI: 10.1016/S0169-409X(98)00063-5.
  • ITA, K. Perspectives on Transdermal Electroporation. Pharmaceutics, 2016.
  • NOVICKIJ, V. et al. Does the shape of the electric pulse matter in electroporation? Scientific Reports, 2022.

Square wave engineering

  • STANKEVIC, V. et al. Compact Square-Wave Pulse Electroporator with Controlled Electroporation Efficiency and Cell Viability. Symmetry, v. 12, n. 3, p. 412, 2020. DOI: 10.3390/sym12030412.
  • NOVICKIJ, V. et al. High-frequency submicrosecond electroporator. Biotechnology & Biotechnological Equipment, 2016.

Skin permeation and the follicular pathway

  • ALKILANI, A. Z.; MCCRUDDEN, M. T. C.; DONNELLY, R. F. Transdermal Drug Delivery: Innovative Pharmaceutical Developments Based on Disruption of the Barrier Properties of the Stratum Corneum. Pharmaceutics, v. 7, n. 4, p. 438–470, 2015. DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics7040438.
  • GU, Y. et al. Hair follicle-targeting drug delivery strategies for the management of hair follicle-associated disorders. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2022.
  • VERMA, A. et al. Transfollicular drug delivery: current perspectives. Research and Reports in Transdermal Drug Delivery, 2016. DOI: 10.2147/RRTD.S75809.

Want to see IoNNiZ® in action?

Talk to the DERMIUS® team on WhatsApp to schedule a demonstration and ask technical questions about the device.

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