Final answer:
Iontophoresis is the process using galvanic current to help water-soluble products penetrate the skin, functioning similarly to a galvanic cell like in a Zn/Cu system.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process that employs galvanic current to enable water-soluble products to penetrate the skin is known as iontophoresis. This process is similar to electrophoresis and uses a galvanic cell to create a current which propels ions into the tissues.
Typically, a device delivers a low-level, continuous current, and the charged substances, such as medications, are propelled through the skin by the electric current. This method leverages the basic principles of a galvanic cell, like the Zn/Cu cell, where a difference in potential energy between two electrodes causes electrons to flow, creating a current that can perform work. In iontophoresis, an analog to this is applied to introduce compounds through the selective permeability of the skin.