An electrical stimulation lead includes a lead body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal length； electrodes disposed along the distal end of the lead body； terminals disposed along the proximal end of the lead body； a non-conducting core extending along lead body； and conductors extending along the lead body to electrically couple the electrodes to the terminals. The conductors include a first conductor and a second conductor arranged along the core with a non-conducting gap between the first and the second conductors. Each of the first and the second conductors includes an inner conductor portion with a first electrical resistivity and an outer conductor portion having a second electrical resistivity that is at least twice the first electrical resistivity. The outer conductor portion is disposed exclusively radially outward from the inner conductor portion.
