A surface electrode for long-term electrical communication with a skin surface of a patient, the surface electrode including: (a) a highly-conductive foil, for operatively connecting to a power source, for communication of an electrical signal between the highly-conductive foil and the skin surface of the patient, and (b) a securing arrangement for securing the highly-conductive foil to the skin surface, wherein the foil has a plurality of macroscopic air-permeable regions for fluid communication of air with the skin surface, and wherein the plurality of macroscopic air-permeable regions has a first surface area, the foil has a second surface area, and a ratio of the first surface area to the second surface area is at least 0.1.