9 min read
Microcurrent Facial Guide to Lose Loose Skin
Electricity within the brain (action potential), current in electric outlets, and microcurrent of your anti-aging treatments - we never think much about the energy that’s powering our bodies and our contemporary lives. At least not until the lights go out or our coffee machine stops working.
It’s so easy to take things for granted or not see their full potential if we’re so used to them being around and serving our purposes (a bit of good advice for skincare and life alike). How did we get from Mary Shelly's scary story to ailment treatment and microcurrent facials? How do they work? Why are they so effective for skin rejuvenation? And how can you find the best microcurrent facial device for at-home use or should you use professional treatment? Let’s dive into everything you need to know about microcurrent anti-aging technology!
From Bell’s Palsy to facials
And as Dr. Frankenstein stood in that dingy laboratory with insane eyes (and quite spectacular sanatorium-style hair), lightning blazing overhead, and himself screaming into the storm that - "It's alive! Alive! Aliveeeee!" - the insinuation was that a new technological era brought in a sort of new human with a post-human capability. New technology "could" bring things back to life. It was powerful and scary; it was poorly understood, and all things illicit fear when we don't understand them. The electric charge was scary while ripping the sky above the savanna dweller millennia ago or above the thatched house of an 18th-century peasant living by candlelight. Then we harnessed it with the first electric battery. Soon followed electric lights, motors, and doorbells, and we started powering various appliances that made our lives easier. But how did microcurrent enter skincare?
In the late 1970s, there was this seemingly unsolvable problem - Bell's Palsy facial paralysis. Dr. Thomas W. Wing wanted to help patients recover and minimize the look of drooping on the affected side of the face and this is how the now famed microcurrent therapy entered medicine. In the decade to follow, microcurrent therapy got FDA-approved and entered the physicians’ offices to help re-educate the muscles in drooping faces. It become an effective physical therapy tool to help heal injured tissues and provide pain relief.
The first devices were not unlike the first computers, bulky, expensive pieces of complicated equipment with very limited function, but the 1990s came about with its miniaturization craze, which also seeped into skincare technologies. The microcurrent facial devices in the cosmetic industry became smaller, easier to operate, and more effective, eventually moving from the treatment rooms of clinics to the comfort of your home. And here we are now. Microcurrent facials are now an affordable, painless, zero recovery, and practical beauty favorite for those seeking non-invasive face lift options to retain that youthful look. From toning facial muscles to boosting collagen production, these treatments promise skin-tightening results in just a few minutes per treatment - without needles or downtime!
What is a Microcurrent Facial?
Microcurrent facials are a no-drama approach to tackling the most visible effects of skin aging by using something that is very natural and essential to the body staying alive - electric energy. Your neurons talk to each other via electric charge, and so do your brain, heart, and muscles. Most of the good things on the planet are dose-dependent. If there were zero oxygen, you’d be dead sooner than you could properly complain about it. If there were no controlled fire, our species would still be freezing to death in caves, but fire out of control has destroyed many lives. Same with electricity - measured tiny amounts allow you to think, move, pump blood, or stimulate the skin into a restoring overdrive, or you can simply grab a live wire and get electrocuted.
Electric and eclectic microcurrent facial device uses low-level electrical currents to target “lazy” facial muscles and deteriorating skin cells. It basically offers face exercises. It gently lifts and firms your skin challenging the muscle below the skin to contract and release while “reminding” the skin on top of the muscle how to increase collagen that gives elasticity, firmness, and structure to all bodily structures. These are microcurrent facial benefits in a completely non-invasive treatment. In short, a microcurrent facial mimics the body’s natural electrical activity, helping to tone and tighten muscles under the skin, giving your face a lifted, sculpted appearance.
Whether you choose to get a microcurrent facial at a professional spa or at home with one of the now widely available microcurrent toning devices - this is up to you and depends on how much time and money you have at your disposal. The spa experience is a pleasant event that will last from half an hour to an hour. It typically starts with a relaxing deep cleanse, followed by the application of a conductive gel that helps the device glide and transfer the current from the device into the skin safely. The esthetician uses a handheld device, gently moving over key areas like your jawline, cheeks, and forehead, sometimes with added perks like a facial massage or a soothing mask. If you have time to indulge, do it, we all need a break. But if you’re more into maximizing your time investments, you have a full plate in life and just dream about getting into those PJs and not going anywhere else once the bra is off; maybe an at-home microcurrent facial routine is more to your taste. A microcurrent facial at home is quick and easy. Simply cleanse your skin, apply the conductive gel, and use your device to glide over those same areas. At-home devices are powerful now, and you can get great results if you stay consistent.
How do Microcurrent Devices Work?
Are microcurrent devices safe? Yes. A microcurrent facial device works because your skin can conduct electricity. Even more interesting is that this conductivity is not fixed, and it varies depending on the current amount of moisture, skin thickness, and body area, and the presence of sweat or oils on the surface. If you exert yourself or are stressed, the skin will exude more sweat, which contains salt. Salt is composed of two main electrolytes, sodium and chloride, which behave as conductive mediums that increase skin conductivity. If you plan on doing microcurrent facial (or body) treatments at home, it would be wise to choose a gel or a medium with electrolytes for greater effect and safety of the treatment.
So, microcurrent facials work by sending low-voltage electrical currents through the skin to stimulate facial muscles, causing them to contract and tighten, similar to how your muscles respond to a challenge from an exercise. As a result, the currents help tone and lift the facial muscle, giving you that well-defined, sculpted look and skin rejuvenation effect.
But there's more to it than just mechanical tightening. These carefully calibrated electrical currents ramp up the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy currency of your cells. More ATP means your skin cells are more alive and can repair and regenerate faster, boosting collagen and elastin production - two key proteins that help maintain smooth, firm, and bouncy skin - restoring the function of their younger cell predecessors. It's like a natural facelift with no surgery or needles.
Besides toning muscles, microcurrent facials also improve circulation delivering fresh oxygen and nutrients to all cells and moving the stale lymp. This will reduce puffiness and leave your skin glowing and refreshed like you’ve just had a full night of sleep.
The Benefits of Microcurrent Facials
We can talk about microcurrent facial mechanisms all day long, but the honey pot is always the benefit of a treatment. This is what you came here for, and will try to group them as well as possible. Microcurrent facial benefits include but are not limited to.
1. Improved Muscle Tone and Lifted Appearance
Think of microcurrent facials as a gym session, a workout for your face. The low-voltage currents stimulate your facial muscles, toning and lifting them to help define your natural features without surgical intervention.
2. Enhanced Blood Circulation
Skin signs of poor circulation are obvious - dull skin with no luster, looking grayish and older than necessary. Better circulation means healthier, more radiant skin. As the electrical currents stimulate blood flow, oxygen and nutrients are delivered to your skin cells, helping promote a fresh glow.
3. Boosted Collagen Production
Collagen is the protein that keeps your skin firm, smooth, and youthful, and microcurrent facials help stimulate natural collagen production, improving skin elasticity and making your skin feel plumper and more resilient over time.
4. Healing and Skin Repair
Microcurrents promote healing by increasing circulation and energy flow to your skin cells. This can speed up recovery from minor irritation, breakouts, or even inflammation. It’s like a gentle reset button, helping it bounce back faster and look healthier.
5. Lymphatic Drainage
One of the best-kept secrets of microcurrent facials is their ability to support lymphatic drainage at home to reduce puffiness and detox the skin. Removing toxins leaves you with a clearer, brighter complexion with less swelling and a fresh, rejuvenated look.
Safety & Microcurrent Facial Side Effects
Microcurrent facials are generally safe for most people. The treatment is painless and non-invasive, with most people experiencing little to no discomfort. Some may feel a mild tingling or notice a slight redness, but these microcurrent facial side effects usually disappear quickly after the treatment.
However, there are a few considerations. Pregnant women, those with heart conditions, or people with thyroid issues should consult with a professional before trying microcurrent facials. Those who have recently had Botox or fillers should wait until the products have fully settled before undergoing microcurrent treatments.
Types of Microcurrent Devices: Which One is Right for You?
Not all microcurrent devices are created equal. Here’s a breakdown of the different types:
Medical-Grade Devices
These very powerful devices are used by professionals in medical or dermatological settings. They offer more intensive treatments and are designed to target deeper skin concerns.
Professional Devices
Endemic to spas and clinics, professional devices offer effective results with a slightly less powerful current than medical-grade devices. They’re great for anyone looking for a deeper facial muscle tone or a more noticeable lift.
Home-Use Devices
If you’re looking for convenience, home-use microcurrent facial devices are your best bet! These are lightweight, user-friendly, and provide a milder version of the technology used in professional treatments. While results may take longer to show, consistency is key which is not a problem as you have the tool for a quick touch-up right there at home.
If you’re thinking about getting a microcurrent facial device for at-home use, may we suggest trying FOREO’s BEAR™ 2? It is elegant, ergonomic, super easy to use, and clinically proven to significantly improve wrinkles, skin firmness, and elasticity in just 1 week. Why is BEAR™ 2 facial toning superior? This is the only at-home device featuring 4 revolutionary types of microcurrent to tone the 69 muscles in your face and neck for a beautifully contoured complexion.
For optimal results, we’d recommend the electrolyte-packed SUPERCHARGED™ Serum 2.0, clinically proven to significantly increase type 1 collagen production and skin’s moisture levels over time. Not a bad power couple (Get it? Power? As in electricity? Lame but satisfying.).
Professional vs. Home Microcurrent Devices
The main difference between professional treatments and home devices is intensity. Professional treatments deliver stronger results more quickly, offering immediate lifting and muscle toning.
Home-use devices are gentler and designed for regular, easy use. Results may take a bit longer to show, but they’re still effective for long-term maintenance and can save you money (and time) over time.
How to Choose the Best Microcurrent Device for Home Use
When selecting a home-use device, here are a few things not to be compromised on:
Power Level: Look for adjustable intensity settings to tailor the treatment to your skin’s needs.
Ease of Use: Choose a device with a simple interface that’s simple to operate with clear instructions. If a brand is complicating it, chances are they’re faking it too.
Anti-Shock Feature: As we’ve learned, skin conductivity varies and it would be ideal if the device had a way to adjust to these slight changes via an anti-shock feature, so the treatment can be smooth and comfortable throughout your session.
So from frankensteinesque stories warning of the dark side of progress with human collages, across bold (less mad) doctors fighting facial paralysis, through decades of miniaturization, and finally onto your shelf, microcurrent facial toning is here to stay because it is safe, effective and easy to use. Whether you visit a professional spa or incorporate microcurrent technology into your at-home routine, this facial treatment is a game-changer. It’s the ultimate tool for lifting, toning, and rejuvenating your skin, taking years off without ever cutting into your flesh. By adding microcurrent facials to your skincare routine, you’ll do something good for your skin and help it regain some of the functionality that aging has taken away.
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