What are Microcurrent Facials and Do They Work?

There are many different types of skin care treatments available now. It can be hard to know which ones work the best or are safe.

It can be tough to decide what to trust because there are so many different sources of information. There are new sources popping up every day, and then there are celebrity endorsements, internet ads, and personal recommendations from friends. So how can you know what is reliable?

Microcurrent facials, also known as the non-surgical facelift are a type of facial that is becoming increasingly popular.

They are a safe and non-invasive way to achieve younger-looking skin. Microcurrent facial are a popular alternative to invasive skin treatments like injections, surgery, chemical peels, and other invasive therapies that are costly and require downtime. This blog will explore microcurrent facials in more detail and help you decide if this procedure is correct for you.

What is the History of Microcurrent Facial Treatments?

Microcurrent treatments were used to treat patients with Bells Palsy, which causes paralysis and drooping of one side of the face. Doctors found that microcurrents could help to re-educate the muscles and reverse the drooping of the face. The beauty industry took notice of this therapy, so they started using microcurrent in their treatments, too.

How Does Microcurrent Work?

Microcurrents are tiny electrical impulses that mirror the body's natural electrical currents increasing cellular energy by up to 400%. Applying microcurrent to the skin helps to stimulate collagen and elastin production, giving you firmer, more youthful-looking skin. Microcurrent facials can also help to increase blood circulation and lymphatic drainage resulting in a reduction in puffiness and a more radiant complexion. Additionally, the current travels to the muscles re-educating them and helping lift and firm the skin.

Microcurrent is like a supercharger for your cells, resulting in faster cell turnover and healthier, more youthful-looking skin.

Video Courtesy of NeurotriS™

What Are the Benefits of Microcurrent Facials?

Microcurrent facials offer many benefits for both aging and acne-prone skin.

For aging skin, microcurrent facials can help to:

- Stimulate collagen and elastin production

- Increase blood circulation

- Lymphatic drainage

- Reduce puffiness

- Improve skin texture and tone

- Lift and firm the skin

For acne-prone skin, microcurrent facials can help to:

- Reduce inflammation

- Kill bacteria

- Decrease oil production

- Improve skin texture and tone

Are Microcurrent Facials Better Than Other Anti-Aging Treatments?

It depends on who you ask.

However, this is the best choice for many clients with active lives or who want a non-invasive solution. One key benefit of microcurrent is that it does not require any active ingredients and does not harm the skin. For example, many treatments like chemical peels, micro-needling, microdermabrasion, and dermaplaning create skin trauma to improve the skin. These more aggressive treatments can create problems for people whose skin is not in excellent condition and require weeks of downtime from some regular activities. Additionally, your skin will often look worse before it gets better. On the other hand, microcurrent clients usually report seeing an immediate improvement in their skin, and there is no downtime.

Microcurrent can help other therapies work better. For example, if you use a serum, microcurrent can help the product be absorbed better into your skin. We love to use Viktoria Deann Lift Kits and LED therapy with microcurrent because they give our clients the best anti-aging experience possible.

Microcurrent is a natural way to reduce wrinkles without resorting to more invasive treatments like Botox or fillers. If you want to use microcurrent in combination with Botox, read further down for the benefits of combining the two.

What Should I Expect During a Microcurrent Facial Treatment?

Things to consider before the facial

Microcurrent sessions usually last for 45 minutes, but this may be longer if you combine it with other therapies. The cost per session is typically between $150 and $250. Most providers will require you to commit to a series of treatments because microcurrent is cumulative - each treatment builds on the last.

During the microcurrent facial

The first step of a microcurrent facial is to cleanse and prep the skin.

Then, a special gel is applied to the skin to help the microcurrent penetrate more effectively. The esthetician may use various attachments to apply the microcurrent to the skin. One of our favorites is the Neurotris Pico Probes. You will feel a slight tingling sensation as it penetrates your skin. You may also experience a bit of metallic taste and flashes of light, which signifies that your body is responding to the microcurrent. Most clients report this as the most relaxing treatment they have ever had!

Lastly, the esthetician will remove the gel, then apply a finishing mask, serums, creams, and sun protection or proceed to another therapy.

How Do I Care For My Skin Post Microcurrent?

Unlike most antiaging treatments, there are no stringent after-care instructions for microcurrent. Other than staying hydrated, we recommend clients use professional products.

Our favorite is Viktoria Deann's Lift Kit which has fewer ingredients than most skin care products and works in synergy with the body just like microcurrent treatments. When applied, these topical peptide serums communicate to the body to either start or stop doing something based on the purpose of the peptide.

How Long Does Microcurrent Facial Results Last?

Most clients see and feel a difference in their skin right after a microcurrent facial. The results usually last for a while, but it depends on how old you are, how you live, and how healthy your skin is. Microcurrent facials are like going to the gym for your skin - if your skin is unhealthy, you need to come more often to get it back into shape. Once your skin is healthy, you only need to come for maintenance every once in a while.

How Many Sessions of Microcurrent do I need?

In order to receive the full benefits of microcurrent, most people will need multiple treatments. The number of treatments required depends on the individual's skin concerns and goals. Brow to Toe recommends the following number of sessions:

Ages 20-29: Once every 8 weeks as a preventative measure to slow down the aging process
Ages 30-35: Initial series of 6 treatments received within 3 weeks and maintenance every 6 - 8 weeks.
Ages 36-40: Initial series of 8 treatments received within 5 weeks and maintenance every 4 - 6 weeks.
Ages 41- 50: Initial series of 10 treatments within 7 weeks and maintenance every 4 - 6 weeks.
Ages 51+: Initial series of 12 treatments within 9 weeks and maintenance every 4 - 6 weeks.
Smoker, sunbathers, or clients with a history of toxic substance use may require more than 15 - 20 treatments.

Microcurrent machines vary in quality. Some machines are better than others. Make sure you know what machine your esthetician is using before starting your treatments.

We use the NeurotriS™, the #1 leader for professional microcurrent machines used for anti-aging. Our machines have bio-feedback skin impedance monitoring. This makes the machine adjust based on the current condition of your skin. This ability means that you will get faster results and longer-lasting effects because the machine will keep sending pure signals to your skin during treatment!

Should I Get Microcurrent Facials If I Have Botox?

Microcurrent can be a good complement to Botox. Botox relaxes the muscle so that the microcurrent can retrain it. I have personally had clients stop using Botox after receiving regular microcurrent sessions. Usually, it is safe to receive microcurrent facials about two weeks after injections. To be safe, I recommend asking the professional who performs your injections.

Should I Get Microcurrent Facials If I Have Had a Surgical FaceLift?

According to Dr. Timothy McGee, a board-certified plastic surgeon, "A facelift will not permanently prevent future aging, today’s facelifts can hold off aging for 10-20 years. (2021). He further states, "a consistent anti-aging skincare routine will help maintain your new, youthful look." and recommends incorporating anti-aging skincare that promotes the production of collagen

As you can see microcurrent is the perfect complement to a surgical facelift. I would recommend entering into a microcurrent maintenance program to extend the results of your surgical facelift.

At What Age Should You Start Getting Microcurrent Facials?

There are two reasons why we recommend that people in their late 20s to early 30s use professional microcurrent treatments as part of their skincare routine.

Starting around age 25, we produce less collagen and elastin. Women also lose a lot of collagen and elastin once they reach menopause. These proteins are important because they keep our skin from becoming wrinkled and saggy. Microcurrent facials can help increase the production of these proteins, which can help slow down the signs of aging. Plus, it also helps with muscle tone.

Maintaining your skin is easier when you start early. This is because it is easier to prevent damage than to fix it later. We have all heard the saying, "An ounce of prevention outweighs a pound of cure."

Do At-Home Microcurrent Devices Work?

There are 3 things to consider when opting for at-home microcurrent devices.

Home microcurrent devices have less capability than professional devices. This means that it may take longer to achieve results using only a home device.

Microcurrent facials are most effective when done by a professional esthetician who knows how to use the technology and how the facial muscles work. We recommend using a home device to help improve the results of your professional treatments.

Some home devices are better than others. We think the Neurotris Pico Toner is the best device for home care. We recommend it to all our microcurrent clients as part of their home care routine.

Will My TENS Unit Give Me The Same Results as Microcurrent Device?

I get this question all the time!

Microcurrent devices are different than TENS units. We advise against using your TENS unit for purposes other than what your doctor prescribed. TENS units relieve pain by sending electrical impulses to the nerves, while microcurrent facials energize the cells to improve the appearance of the skin.

Can You Use Microcurrent on Your neck and Chest?

Have you ever seen a woman whose neck and chest looked much older than her face? This is common because many people stop their skincare routine at their chin.

The neck and chest are similar to the face in that they can get wrinkles and saggy skin. We think that the neck, face, and chest should all be treated as one part of the body. Our clients have found that using microcurrent helps improve wrinkles and sagging skin on the chest and neck.

What Are Common Side Effects of Microcurrent Facials?

Microcurrent facials are considered very safe with few side effects. The most common side effect is a slight redness on the cheeks, which is due to the increased blood circulation from the treatment. The redness usually goes away shortly after the treatment is finished.

Microcurrent treatments help the body remove toxins and cellular waste. Drink plenty of water before and after treatments to help flush these toxins out of your body.

It's essential to note microcurrent should not be used if you have the following conditions:

Pacemaker
Epilepsy or history of seizures
Metal plates or pins in the area to be treated
Recent surgery
Phlebitis/thrombosis
Pregnancy or recent childbirth
Spine problems
Diabetes and cancer are OK with a physician's approval

Microcurrent facials are a non-invasive, anti-aging treatment that uses microcurrent technology to improve the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, sagging skin, sun damage, acne scars. Microcurrent is great for people who want a more natural approach to skincare. However, microcurrent can also be combined with other treatments like Botox and facelifts to get better results.

Do you still, have questions about whether or not microcurrent is right for you?

Our corrective skin care specialist at Brow to Toe welcomes the opportunity to answer any questions you may have during a 45 min Advanced Skin Consultation or Get to Know Your Skin Facial!

Schedule your appointment today!

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