Microcurrent Before & After: Is It Worth It?

Who would have ever thought that the first dabble in ancient methods of electric eel pain relief therapies would evolve into impressive modern microcurrent technology? Once administered only as a microcurrent therapy for pain alleviation, muscle reeducation (as in Bell’s palsy facial paralysis), and anti-aging concerns in doctor’s offices, salons, and aesthetic clinics, the market is now booming with devices that could deliver an impressive face lift at home. These offer outstanding microcurrent before and after effects for millions who are reluctant to let a scalpel anywhere near their face.

Are microcurrent before and after results real or are reality and opinions distorted to push a new fad? We’re always up for a little healthy skepticism in an increasingly manipulative marketing environment, so we’re here today to explore what microcurrent does to the skin, the proven benefits of microcurrent facials, potential side effects, and how they compare to other skincare methods. We’ll also corroborate the claims with real microcurrent before and after photos. But first, let's quickly glance at a developmental path of aesthetic procedures that led to the strengthening of a beauty “counter-culture” - seeking non-invasive anti-aging methods. We start from the first nose jobs about three millennia ago.

And Indian nose jobs, and wars, and bears (Oh my!)

Somewhere between 600 BC and 1000 BC, there lived the first Indian surgeon who left written accounts of his life work. Way before Hippocrates (yes, the one from the oath) and way way before Galen (the guy who figured out that arteries hold blood, not air) “the father of plastic surgery,” Sushruta, did the first rhinoplasties (nose jobs) as reconstructive surgeries. He also started laying the foundation for surgical practices we still believe in today - such as practicing on cadavers before cutting into live patients, cleanliness, anesthesia, and postoperative care.

Closer to our modern calendars, plastic surgery was at first used only as a reconstructive procedure to restore something to normal after an injury or to correct a malformation or a birth defect. The term "plastic surgery" was coined in 1838 by one Eduard Zeis, who used the Greek adjective "moldable" (Plastikós) as its root since this type of surgery allowed forms to be manipulated and molded into what we want them to be. Still, the first surgeries were mainly reconstructive, primarily focusing on restoring lost function, which was especially important as the large world wars returned men scarred and maimed. This overwhelming amount of reconstructions yielded new techniques and ever more care of aesthetic concerns and less invasive solutions to where they could be applied.

The field of cosmetic surgery, focused solely on aesthetic concerns, boomed in the '80s and '90s and continued as we all freaked about the Y2K (Gen Z recap: No one knew if the computers would recognize the year 2000, and we were ready for global system crashes and chaos when the millennium bug hits at midnight). Now, a quarter of a century later, the number of plastic surgeries is growing. We may be more vain, insecure, or aware of our looks and how others perceive us due to social media and a (more or less) globalized planet. Still, no matter how much better the procedures get, an invasive procedure will never be risk-free, and there will always be those seeking alternatives such as microcurrent skin tightening and new advanced devices offering at home anti-aging solutions, such as BEAR™ 2.

What Does Microcurrent Do?

As a non-invasive alternative to traditional facial treatments like Botox or surgery, microcurrent technology uses low-level electrical currents to lift, tone, and smooth the skin with no pain, incisions, or recovery time needed. Stimulating facial muscles encourages them to contract and tighten, improving the musculature's tone and, therefore, tightening the skin on top of the muscle.

The charge intensity is minuscule, up to 1000 μA of microcurrent. This is not intense enough to seriously hurt you, but you can get an unpleasant zap if you use it without a conductive medium, such as a conductive gel or serum, or if you use it on wet skin. Never ever use your microcurrent device without a conductive gel. The electrical currents in microcurrent therapy mimic the body’s natural electrical impulses that keep our brains and bodies alive and ticking. Yes, we are also electricity-powered; at any given time, our brain could hypothetically power a lightbulb. In reality, it would be an LED light because you lose some energy due to heat, and the energy in the brain is adapted to communication and not powering light fixtures or appliances. So, the potential 20+ watts would end up as ~0.03 watts due to some inescapable physical laws. Nevertheless, it is quite amusing to think that “an idea” in cartoons is depicted as a lightbulb turning on.

But how does microcurrent work on the skin? By boosting that ever-lazying sedentary lifestyle blood flow, revving up sleepy cellular activity that goes with cell senescence (aging), and pumping collagen production, which starts slowing down in our late 20s and early 30s. All of these microcurrent benefits help to visibly rejuvenate and firm the skin, resulting in what you’ll see on your microcurrent before and after photos. 

Key Microcurrent Benefits
 

Sculpting and Definition

Most of the time, in the initial self-reported signs of aging, people state that their faces just don’t seem as “fresh.” This is due to losing the youthful sharpness of facial contours that give us those fresh, chiseled features we associate with youth. Microcurrent treatments lift and sculpt the face by targeting the muscles beneath the skin, redefining the jawline, cheekbones, and other areas that lose form.

Reduced Fine Lines and Wrinkles

The microcurrent facial treatment stimulates collagen and elastin production, which are crucial building blocks and scaffolding for youthful skin structure. More elastin and collagen production helps smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, particularly around the very expressive and active areas such as the eyes, mouth, and forehead.

Improved Skin Tone and Elasticity

No circulation, no life. You need fresh oxygen and nutrients to reach skin cells and keep skin soft, elastic, smooth, and radiating with that healthy pinkish glow we associate with youthful skin.

Microcurrent Facial Side Effects

Side Effects

The side effect of being alive is aging, and we should be grateful to get the chance to do so. When looking at the microcurrent before and after photos turning back the clock on people’s faces, one can’t help but think that we’re still dealing with electricity. There must be some side effects while chasing the desired long-term effects of microcurrent facials. Generally considered safe if used correctly, microcurrent devices have only a few potential side effects that resolve quickly (unlike the life mentioned above), such as:

- Temporary skin redness
- A mild tingling sensation
- Slight muscle twitching during or after the treatment

These are typically short-lived minor inconveniences and should resolve quickly on their own. If you’ve read and understood the instructions for your chosen microcurrent facial at-home device and use it accordingly, it’s quite safe. We advise always going for the FDA-cleared device to ensure you’ve got a quality product that does what it says it does, within the intensity levels it says it does it in.

Managing Microcurrent Side Effects

If you’ve decided to use a professional anti-aging microcurrent facial, pro devices are more powerful and complex and must be operated by a trained professional. Microcurrent facial at-home devices are designed to be easily operated and are usually not as powerful as a professional microcurrent treatment.

Every device for a microcurrent facial at home comes with a manufacturer's guidelines, and their recommended use may vary slightly. Always make sure to read the instructions for use, with no exceptions. Read them even if you’ve got a more advanced version of the device you’ve already used.

If you notice redness and irritation after a microcurrent face lift, apply a soothing moisturizer post-treatment to calm the skin and help the redness subside faster. Keep in mind that not all redness is irritation. It is also due to increased blood flow into the skin and more blood temporarily closer to the skin surface. This is good; it means more precious nutrients and oxygen. If you keep seeing this irritation after every treatment, reduce the microcurrent intensity or shorten the treatment time. You can always increase it later once your skin adjusts to using microcurrent.

Who Should Avoid Microcurrent Therapy

Rejuvenating microcurrent facials are the best thing since kittens, and we love the non-invasive results that consistency brings, but it’s still electricity. Certain people have medical conditions that prevent them from using microcurrent safely. These would be people with pacemakers or any other electrical implants, those who have epilepsy, pregnant women, and people with certain skin conditions, such as severe acne or open wounds. If you are unsure if microcurrent therapies might interfere with your condition, please talk to your doctor.

Microcurrent Treatment Results

Frequency of Treatment

Professional microcurrent treatments will typically show visible results after a few sessions, but a microcurrent facial at home will take a bit longer. You should introduce them to your skincare routine as consistency is key to long-term effects. 

 

Most devices will recommend treatment anywhere from 3 to 15 minutes. Be realistic: If you’re going to be consistent for months, you’ll most likely not enjoy a 15-minute chore every day. It’s a good idea to choose a powerful device that works fast. A 3-minute skincare routine is reasonable and respects your time. Start with 5 days a week for the first 60 days, then switch to 2–3 times a week to maintain your microcurrent facial results. You will see some results in a week or so, but a microcurrent face lift will start paying off at about the 1-month mark if you stick to your routine.

Talking about the fast and powerful microcurrent devices for at-home use, FOREO BEAR™ 2 (and the entire BEAR™ 2 collection) is the strongest and cutest 3-minute microcurrent at-home facelift; it checks all the boxes for the things you need to pay attention to when getting a microcurrent device, is clinically proven, as well as by users:

✔   Clinically proven to significantly improve deep wrinkles & fine lines in just 1 week. 
✔   Clinically proven to significantly improve skin firmness & elasticity in just 1 week. 
✔   98% of users report skin looks healthier, brighter, plumper & more nourished. 
✔   95% of users report their face looks younger & cheekbones look more lifted. 
✔   93% of users report an improvement in puffiness and sagging. 
✔   90% of users report an improvement in pigmentation and the appearance of pores. 

EXPLORE BEAR™ 2 COLLECTION

Microcurrent Before & After

Once your eyeball lands on the microcurrent before and after photos for the first time, it's a strange feeling. You would expect this from a more invasive procedure or surgery, but the effects of microcurrent are cumulative and stem from consistency. You can do a single surgical facelift and see a significant result once the swelling subsides. However, microcurrent, professional treatments, and the at-home microcurrent facelift options will both need some time to show up. Still, the effects can be dramatic with regular use. Here is a little breakdown of what microcurrent therapy does to various facial areas so you can focus on your problem regions.

Jawline & Chin

Before: Sagging jawline, loss of that sharp and defined contour or shape, and a formation of a double chin.

After: Microcurrent helps lift and tone those muscles around the jaw and chin, creating a more sculpted, defined contour and improved elasticity to relieve sagging.

Cheeks

Before: Cheeks might appear flat or lose their once-perky volume as collagen production decreases.

After: Microcurrent promotes collagen production, which can help restore volume for a smoother and firmer appearance. It also visually lifts the cheekbones and opens up the face.

Forehead

Before: All who've lived, loved, laughed, cried, and experienced emotions will, in time, etch their feelings onto their face with lines and wrinkles specific to them. These are usually very noticeable on the forehead as frown lines or deep, angry 11s in between the brows.

After: Microcurrent stimulates the muscles to tone up, adds volume, and boosts circulation, reducing the depth of wrinkles for a smoother, firmer look. However, keep in mind that you will not be able to fully iron out deep angry 11s with microcurrent alone.

Eyes (Crow’s Feet & Under-eye Area)

Before: The area around the eyes has the thinnest skin on the body (except you know where) and is ravaged by constant creasing from blinking and squinting, often showing the first signs of aging and fatigue. Crow’s feet, puffiness, or dark circles are the name of the game.

After: Microcurrent can depuff the bags, smooth out crow's feet, improve circulation, and brighten the area for a more refreshed look.

Nasolabial Folds 

Before: Deep lines from the nose to the mouth are a common sign of aging, and we most often call them smile lines, which they are, but they can make the face look tired or old when you're not smiling.

After: Microcurrent targets the muscles and tissues surrounding the crease to soften the nasolabial folds, and increased collagen and elastin production leads to a smoother, youthful appearance.

Neck 

Before: Sagging skin and fine lines as collagen production slows down.

After: Microcurrent can tone and tighten the neck muscles, lifting sagging skin and reducing the visibility of lines and wrinkles.

Skin Tone & Texture

Before: Sometimes, it's not any visible sagging or creasing that bothers us. It may just be the look of dull, tired, and blotchy skin, rough texture, or visible pores. This is closely related to the drop in collagen production.

After: Microcurrent shakes up that sleepy circulation and increases collagen and elastin production. You'll initially see a more radiant, smoother complexion, but with regular use, you'll also notice less visible pores and better overall texture.

Comparison of Microcurrent Skin Tightening with Other Methods

Microcurrent vs. Botox

Longevity: Botox provides immediate results but lasts 3-6 months. Microcurrent results improve gradually and require ongoing treatments.

Cost: Botox tends to be more expensive upfront, requiring periodic maintenance. Devices for a microcurrent facial at home can cost a pretty penny initially, but you’ll have them for years and years to use infinite times from a single investment. 

Invasivity: Botox will involve a needle to pierce the skin and deliver the paralyzing agent into the skin. Microcurrent facials are entirely non-invasive.

Microcurrent vs. Face Yoga

Ease of Use: Face yoga can also be performed at home but requires much time and effort to see results. Microcurrent devices are easier to use and significantly more effective faster.

Accessibility & Cost: You can learn face yoga exercises through online resources, often for free, and devices for a microcurrent facial at home cost money, so you need that initial investment.

Microcurrent vs. Gua Sha

Muscle Stimulation vs. Relaxation: Microcurrent facials focus on stimulating and toning the muscles beneath the skin, while Gua Sha primarily targets muscle relaxation and the reduction of tension, so they are not conceived for the same purpose, although relaxing some muscle tension can help fade expression lines.

Cost: Gua Sha can be bought at a far cheaper price than an at-home microcurrent face lift device, but this will not yield comparable results.

Users Say About Microcurrent

Real-life experiences with microcurrent facials vary, with many seeing noticeable lifting and smoothing and improvements in skin texture and facial definition, but not all see dramatic results, and some give up to experiencing side effects like redness or tingling or choosing a more invasive treatment that will get them immediate results. But here are some good sources to pick the brains of the people who’ve tried anti-aging microcurrent therapy.

FOREO BEAR™ Before & After: Amanda Ramsay 3-Month Trial

Review Roundup: Comparison FOREO BEAR™ and NuFACE microcurrent facial devices

FOREO BEAR™ Review with Dermatologist Cara McDonald

Review Roundup: BEAR™ — the mighty microcurrent device

Clinically Proven: 7 Days With FOREO BEAR™ 2 Is All You Need to Reduce Wrinkles

Conclusion

Apart from holding us (and everything on our one and only planet) tethered and unable to float off into space like David Bowie’s Major Tom, gravity is not our friend when ticking clocks are concerned. It can and will inevitably take its toll as you’re allowed to evolve into a wiser and smarter Pokemon of yourself with an ever-yellowing birth certificate. But there is no need for the woe-is-me martyr songs about a fact of life because we’re lucky enough to live in an era where anti-aging technology allows us to level up with grace.

Far from the first reconstructive surgeries and the subsequent rise of the invasive cosmetic surgery market, we’ve landed in an era of microcurrent face lift devices. These offer non-invasive and effective anti-aging options for those who want to tone, lift, and contour their faces without a single glistening scalpel blade in the operating room and with zero syringes filled with compounds we laymen can’t pronounce. While the treatments have no risks for a healthy individual and rare and minimal side effects, microcurrent technology requires consistency to maintain the rejuvenation results. So before you get your microcurrent device, ask yourself if you are ready to invest a few minutes a day for a reasonable amount of time (a month at least), if you have the time to research the market a bit and understand how microcurrent technology works, and if you can afford a quality device right now (if not, rather wait than buying something unverified). As always, we hope you’ve learned something new and that the information helped you with your quest. Stay curious, cool, and beautiful, and enjoy living in your skin.