Microcurrent Benefits: From Crow's Feet & Jowls To Glutes & Cellulite

And lines, and double chins, and drooping, oh my! Way scarier than lions, tigers, or bears to the contemporary person that upholds a certain standard of self-care, aging is a cruel, relentless process that leaves no one behind. There has never ever in the history of mankind been a single person forgotten by aging and eventual decay. We must age, and should consider it our largest privilege to do so. Still, we can choose how we age, and fight the dragon with all our might, or at least a mighty technology such as microcurrent toning.

We didn't invent electricity. We discovered a force of nature that was already there, just waiting for us to figure it out. And we did. The ability to harness electric current and use it for our own purposes has changed the course of civilization, altering the ways we live, work, entertain ourselves, and how we connect to others; just as microcurrent has done in the world of skincare. Microcurrent benefits are ridiculously varied and backed by precise science, which removes all the guesswork and speculation. 

How We Got to Microcurrent Therapies

Electric and eclectic, microcurrent benefits for the facial and body treatments span anything from hyper-charging collagen production and ironing out lines and wrinkles to making your chin a singular entity, restoring jawlines you can be proud of, or helping those glutes escape gravity. But this is not how it all began. Electrical currents were first utilized for medical purposes as far as 3 millennia ago, with an electric eel-lookalike fish used for pain management by bioelectrical stimulation. We still use bioelectrical stimulation today for pain management, recovery of immobilized and wasted muscle, sinus congestion, or sleep disturbances, but we've done away with the fishy business.

Benefits of (at that point, only naturally found) electricity were obvious from the history of our species. Still, the real medical breakthrough that would kick off the coherent use of bioelectrical stimulation was the work of Dr. Thomas W. Wing. He used microcurrent to rehabilitate facial muscle paralysis in patients with Bell's Palsy. Interestingly enough, the state of the skin above the muscle improved as people got their facial musculature symmetry back, the FDA approved the treatment, it exploded through beauty salons and clinics, and here we are, spoiled by the miniaturized rejuvenating microcurrent facial toning devices right in our home. Many beauty-tech devices out there are revolutionizing self-care and skincare, such as our warmest suggestion - the world's cutest and safest at-home microcurrent devices from FOREO's BEAR™ 2 collection.

Microcurrent benefits are the result of multifactorial compound and complementary effects, such as:

Muscle stimulation by causing a physical muscle contraction that tones and reeducates the muscle that's been weakened by an injury, lack of movement, or, in the case of anti-aging applications, just age and loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia). Be it on the body or the facial musculature, microcurrent treatments mimic the body’s natural bioelectric signals to tighten, tone, and revitalize the muscle and consequently the skin above it.

ATP & collagen increase. No ATP for a few seconds and you're dead. Literally, that's how important this cellular energy is, and that's how some famous poisons, such as arsenic, kill - by interfering with the mitochondria and cell respiration and basically making your body a dead battery. ATP keeps you alive and is the main energy behind rebuilding and repairing that we undergo every day to keep functioning in this world that breaks us down. Lacking ATP output means no energy for repairs, just for basic operations to stay alive, but not thrive. This results in accumulations of visible damage in and on the body. One of the best microcurrent benefits is that it increases ATP production by up to 500%, facilitating faster recovery, damage repair, and better cell function, and it also boosts collagen and elastin synthesis.

Anti-aging. Let's face it. Yes, yes, health is great and really important, we know and we'll claim it left and right. But we're all somewhat vain and would like to look the part. Just like Simon, science says that the microcurrent benefits of anti-aging are real and visible and that consistent microcurrent use improves facial contour, skin tone, and wrinkle depth. 

Microcurrent Therapy Benefits 

These microcurrent techniques gently stimulate muscles, improving tone, firming, and lifting the face and body. If you don’t need some natural nip and tuck, you’re welcome to lie or just pretend you’re interested in the other benefits, such as increased collagen production and speeding up the healing process in the skin with scars and blemishes. In addition to these effects on the musculature and scarring, a microcurrent facial or body treatment also improves circulation, bringing fresh oxygen & nutrient-rich blood to every cell for a healthy, radiant glow while enhancing skincare product absorption so nothing precious goes to waste.

Microcurrent technology can be used on the face and the body to refresh and rejuvenate the look and feel of the skin.

Microcurrent Benefits for the Face:

• Neck: We can run, and we can hide but neck wrinkles will always find us like we owe them money. No matter how hard we try to hide the years on our faces, the neck always somehow slips under the radar, leaking confidential info. Microcurrent therapy can help tighten and firm the neck skin, reducing the appearance of sagging and wrinkles while promoting better circulation and collagen production, restoring a neck you remember from years ago.

  
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• Eye Area: The skin around the eyes is delicate and the thinnest on the body, excluding our most private places. All of this makes it very fragile and defenseless against environmental factors and the merciless ticking of clocks. Microcurrent therapy can reduce puffiness, minimize dark circles, and smooth out fine lines like crow’s feet (only crows need crow’s feet), resulting in refreshed eyes and a more alert appearance.

   

• Lips: As you age, you’ll start noticing changes on your lips, such as slightly drooping corners, flattening, and a loss of volume. Microcurrent therapy can enhance and sharpen the lip contour by stimulating the circular muscles around the mouth. It can improve definition and restore some of that lost (but never forgotten) volume without the easy but invasive fillers.

  
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• Acne: A teenager, a grown-up, or somewhere in between, acne is a really bad deal with multifactorial causes we cannot always figure out. Ideally, we'll be able to pinpoint and address the root cause, but when it comes to skin ravaged by inflammation and scar tissue, the skin needs a little push toward hyper-healing. Microcurrent therapy is very beneficial for acne-prone skin as it improves circulation and lymphatic drainage, helping to reduce inflammation while stimulating collagen production and fading scarring.

  
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• Wrinkles: Skin sits atop muscle. As we’ve been alive for an increasing number of decades, we’ve been using those muscles for longer, repeating the same motions or facial expressions. Simultaneously, the skin’s regeneration and turnover skills start slipping, resulting in visible creases and folds due to the lack of collagen and elastin fibers that keep the skin elastic and taut. By enhancing collagen and elastin production, microcurrent treatments can diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, plump the skin up, and provide a smoother and more youthful look.

  
  Product suggestion: BEAR™ 2 Microcurrent Toning Device - Significantly reduces deep wrinkles & fine lines in just 1 week.

   

• Face Lifting: We’ve all stepped out of a shower and stared at our face in the mirror, pulling it back by the temples, looking at the face we once knew. Microcurrent therapy acts as a natural facelift by toning and lifting the facial muscles, helping redefine facial contours without walking the dangerous blade of a scalpel.

  
  Product suggestions: BEAR™ 2 or BEAR™ 2 go 

Microcurrent Benefits for the Body:

• Belly: The belly is especially susceptible to the ravages of time and life circumstances, such as pregnancy or weight fluctuations. On the abdomen, microcurrent therapy devices can help tone the weakened muscles and improve the firmness and texture of sagging skin, leading to a tighter, more sculpted appearance. It may also help reduce the appearance of stretch marks.

   

• Cellulite: Although it has a genetic component, cellulite still responds to lifestyle changes and treatments to break it down. Microcurrent therapy effectively reduces the appearance of cellulite by primarily promoting proper lymphatic drainage and improving circulation. This helps break down fat deposits and smooths the skin’s surface, getting rid of that stubborn, dimpled orange-peel vibe.

   

• Glutes: One of the ultimate female attributes is an ample, toned derriere. We’d all like a bit more (tight) junk in our trunk, and our goal is shapely muscle rather than jiggly fat deposits. Microcurrent therapy can lift and tone the gluteus maximus (the largest gluteal muscle) area while helping improve muscle definition and creating a more contoured and toned appearance.

   

• Lymphatic Drainage: Lymphatic drainage is one of the mechanisms the body uses to detox. Microcurrent therapy devices have the unique benefit of improving circulation and reducing fluid retention, which enhances the body’s natural ability to eliminate waste and minimize bloating for some practical and effective body sculpting.
   

NOTE: Always, without exception, use a conductive gel with a microcurrent device for complete safety, ultimate comfort, and superior results. Even if you're using the lower settings, you're still dealing with electricity and need to usher it into the skin without zaps. 

Medical Applications of Microcurrent:

Not limited to the looking glass of surface effects, microcurrent therapy branches off into subdomains that, in addition to skin enhancement effects, also cater to medical purposes, such as healing, muscle recovery, sleep disturbances, and sinus issues. Frequency-specific microcurrent therapy (FSM) and Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) are some of these highly-regarded, non-invasive transformative therapies. While FSM uses precisely tuned electrical frequencies for tissue healing and pain management, EMS is focused more on muscles and provides targeted activation to build strength, tone, and resilience. Key areas that could benefit from the said therapies are:

• Pain Management: Living with pain is a very uncomfortable and disturbing experience, and any lessening of this suffering is welcome, especially when it is entirely non-invasive and refrains from large amounts of painkillers that put pressure on the liver.   FSM microcurrent therapy device for pain does not just mask the pain, as painkillers do. It provides targeted relief for chronic and acute pain by using low-frequency currents to reduce inflammation and promote healing at the cellular level. In addition, EMS improves blood circulation, releases endorphins, and reduces muscle pain and stiffness.

   

• Muscle Toning and Strengthening: Life will throw some curveballs our way, and there will most likely be some injuries or life circumstances leading to muscle wasting or weakness, such as accidents and injuries. These could ask for a period of immobilization or limited movement, resulting in weakened muscles that have lost some of their tone and function. EMS is highly effective in these cases, offering muscle conditioning and rehabilitation. Electrical pulses directly stimulate muscle contractions, ideal for those looking to build strength back up, improve endurance, or maintain muscle tone after immobilization. EMS can also be used to enhance workout results and help achieve specific fitness goals.

• Sinus Relief: Have you ever felt so congested as if your head was full of tightly compacted cotton wool and you can’t breathe in properly? Sinus issues, especially chronic ones, are a torturous ordeal of always feeling foggy, hazy, and on the brink of a headache. FSM microcurrent therapy for inflammation can help reduce the severity and promote drainage for much-needed relief in chronic sinus problems and ease breathing discomfort. It targets sinus tissues specifically, which helps reduce sinus pressure and relieve congestion.

   

• Insomnia and Better Sleep: People are strong, resilient, and resourceful, and can deal with nearly anything that comes their way, but sleep deprivation can break even the strongest among us. It can lead to dangerous side effects from the compromised immune system that leave you vulnerable to all sorts of nasty diseases, all the way to hallucinations, a full-blown mental breakdown, and psychosis. FSM’s calming frequencies promote relaxation and help restore healthy sleep patterns. This therapy is ideal for those consistently dealing with insomnia or poor-quality sleep, offering a medication-free solution to improve rest and rejuvenation. Using medication here and there to help you sleep is not a huge deal, but becoming dependent on them for a good night's rest is a problem.

Quick microcurrent FAQ roulette

Do microcurrent devices really work?

Yes, they do! There is no magic. What you stimulate grows stronger. Microcurrent devices use low-level currents to stimulate facial muscles, promoting collagen and elastin production and resulting in firmer, more youthful skin. But you must be consistent. This is not a one-minute, single-use fix. The results accumulate over time.

Can microcurrent change face shape?

Well, bone is bone. You're pretty much stuck with what your momma gave you. Microcurrent won't drastically change your bone structure, but as you age, the problem is weak muscles and loose skin hanging on this bone structure, and microcurrent will help with that. Think of it as a noninvasive "face gym" to tone the face. But it will not shave off or pad any bone structure you're lacking or have overabundantly.

Are microcurrent results permanent, and what happens when you stop microcurrent?

As we've mentioned, microcurrent benefits are cumulative. If you stop using it, the benefits you've acquired from consistent use will gradually fade as the muscle loses tone and ATP and collagen production slow down again. Your skin will return to baseline, whatever that looked like for you before you introduced regular microcurrent use.

How long does it take to see results from microcurrent?

It depends on various factors, including your age, skin type, the level of deterioration, microcurrent movements you use, conductive gels, and the devices (and/or professionals) employed. Some will see immediate improvements in skin tone and texture after just one microcurrent session, while others will need regular treatments for a few weeks, but the results will come.

How long do microcurrent facial results last?

Results can last between 3 days and a week after a single session, depending on your skin state, the type of device, whether you've used professional power devices or at-home microcurrent toning, and other tech combinations. With regular treatments, the effects become more visible and longer-lasting. 

Microcurrent user experiences and reviews?

• FOREO BEAR™ Review with Dermatologist Cara McDonald
• Review Roundup: BEAR™ — the mighty microcurrent device
• FOREO BEAR™ Before & After: Amanda Ramsay 3-Month Trial
• Review Roundup: Comparison FOREO BEAR™ and NuFACE microcurrent facial devices

Conclusion

At the end of the day, microcurrent benefits stand at where science meets self-care, offering a powerful, non-invasive way to support both aesthetic goals and overall well-being through proven cosmetic and medical applications. Microcurrent boosts blood circulation and ATP production, and stimulates collagen and elastin synthesis while providing pain relief, faster healing, and muscle recovery. The synergistic interplay of these effects results in smoother, firmer skin with improved texture and tone, acting both skin-deep and on the smallest cellular organelles. Whether you're simply looking to slow that ticking clock down, address pain or inflammation, or are into some preventative care, microcurrent is a safe, effective solution that will not require any invasive procedures and will, for the most part, require zero recovery time. With consistent use, the right tools, and knowledge on how to use them, aging gracefully isn't just an idea; empowered by technology, it is very much possible, and you get to choose.
 

We hope you found this information helpful and are interested in learning more. Stay curious, stay beautiful, eclectic, and electric, and enjoy living in your skin, dear friends.