Aging is natural and there’s no shame in that. There’s also no in wanting to fight against various signs of aging. One treatment to bring back the skin’s youthfulness is microcurrent therapy and many ask what it is exactly.
Microcurrent therapy is a non-invasive procedure that uses low-level electric currents. This boosts ATP production, which then stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, both of which the skin needs for structure. This gives patients a more youthful, plumper, and toned skin appearance.
Microcurrent isn’t for everyone. It could be because they find other treatments much more worthy for their needs or because they’re not qualified, health-wise.
Below, we’ll go over what exactly microcurrent therapy is and how it works. We’ll also present its many benefits, safety, who shouldn’t get the treatment, and other important things you should know about it.
What is Microcurrent Therapy?
Our bodies have a natural electrical current. This current sends signals to our body’s cells and tissues to communicate and allow biological activities to take place.
When we get injured or sick, this electrical is disrupted, preventing our body’s cells from healing and repairing themselves.
Microcurrent therapy uses low-level electrical currents, similar to those of the body’s naturally-occurring ionic flow and natural electrical frequencies.
The idea behind this booming treatment is it “re-trains” and “re-educates” skin and muscles. This stimulates tissue growth and cellular repair. It also helps to prevent re-injury.
Microcurrent therapy is a non-invasive procedure. It doesn’t require anesthetics and has very few reported side effects. There is no downtime and a patient can go back to their usual activities right after a treatment.
This can be done in two ways: with an in-clinic treatment from a professional or in the comfort of your own home with a home device.
Microcurrent is mostly used in the cosmetics world for appearance improvement.
In some cases, it can provide benefits for other health and non-beauty concerns. It’s commonly used in physical therapy for general pain relief and for treating pain caused by various sports injuries. Doctors and physical therapists also use it to specifically target Bells’ Palsy, a facial paralysis condition, for nerve stimulation.
How Does Microcurrent Work?
Microcurrent therapy uses a handheld microcurrent device. The device has two electrodes on one end. This is what delivers that flow of low-level electrical currency to the treatment area.
As a facial treatment, this “works out” the face, lifting and tightening the aging skin. This leads to a much more youthful appearance and an improved texture of the skin.
The low-level electrical frequency has been shown to boost and increase the body’s production of ATP, or adenosine triphosphate.
ATP provides fuel and energy for the body’s cells to perform biological processes and functions. ATP is the cells’ main source of energy fuel.
This could also stimulate and boost the production of both collagen and elastin, two main components of the skin.
Collagen supports the skin’s structure while elastin provides recoil so the skin can stretch and go back to its natural state. But as we grow older, the skin loses the ability to naturally produce these skin proteins. This leaves skin looking saggy, aged, and with the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The low-grade electrical current of microcurrent therapy trains the body’s skin cells to produce more of these proteins, leading to tissue repair, skin healing, and easing various signs of aging.
How many microcurrent treatments do I need?
Patients can get the best results with consistent and regular microcurrent sessions. Microcurrent therapy provides cumulative results. This means the effects and benefits add up the more sessions you do.
How frequently you should get the treatment would vary depending on what your dermatologist suggests. But typically, patients do consistent weekly treatments for the best results.
Microcurrent Facial Benefits and Effectiveness
Though there needs to be more research on what actual benefits microcurrent facials offer, many patients swear by these benefits and effects:
Youthful skin appearance
The number one benefit many patients have so far enjoyed from microcurrent therapy is a youthful and plump skin appearance.
As we’ve mentioned above, microcurrent therapy encourages collagen and elastin production, both of which support the skin’s structure.
Both collagen and elastin naturally occur in our skin but as we grow older, the body makes less of them. This leads to saggy and droopy skin, fine lines, wrinkles, and various signs of aging.
By boosting collagen and elastin growth, this plumps up the skin, easing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Face sculpting
Microcurrent is likened to a “workout” for the muscles underneath your skin without having to go to the gym. It tones and sculpts the muscles, eliminating the droopy and sagging look of aging skin.
This tightens skin and gives an overall youthful, plump, and energetic look.
Instant and immediate results
Patients can see almost instantaneous results. You can tell right away the skin looks tighter, toned, lifted, and overall youthful.
Microcurrent benefits are cumulative. You will see these results add up with each session. As you keep your regular schedules and appointments, you will continue to see the differences in your facial muscles each session has to offer.
Improved blood circulation
Microcurrent treatments help improve blood circulation. This helps the blood deliver necessary nutrients and oxygen to the rest of the body.
Improved blood circulation could also be tied to younger-looking and plumper skin. An increase in blood circulation can also speed up wound and scar tissue healing from severe acne. This can also keep inflammation under control.
Non-invasive and painless
Microcurrent is non-invasive, non-surgical, and is essentially a painless treatment. It doesn’t have any recovery or downtime. Go in for a treatment, get out, and continue with your day as if nothing happened.
This is a complete contrast to some of its surgical counterparts – injectables and fillers.
Microcurrent is also often dubbed as a “natural facelift”. Expect to tone and lift your skin without the surgery.
Professional vs. At-Home Microcurrent Devices
Microcurrent can be in-clinic professional treatments. But for convenience, home microcurrent devices are widely available as well.
Professional microcurrent devices are more powerful than at-home devices. Professional devices should not be used at home, especially by someone not trained to use and operate them. Due to their stronger current, professional microcurrent devices can offer more striking and even quicker results.
At-home microcurrent devices would need more patience to see results due to their weaker currents. If doing the treatment at home, be prepared to do it more consistently.
Is Microcurrent Safe?
Microcurrent therapy is generally safe. It’s non-invasive and has no major adverse effects.
If you’re going the in-clinic treatment route, make sure to look for the best aesthetician in your area who has enough experience and training under their belt.
If you prefer an at-home device, make sure it’s FDA-approved to prevent any potential side effects.
Microcurrent Therapy Side Effects
There is very little potential for patients to suffer from side effects though keep an eye out for:
- Tingling or numbness
- Redness or bruising
- General discomfort
- Some swelling
- Headache or dizziness
These side effects are usually mild and only temporary. These tend to go away on their own shortly after the session.
Should you experience more severe side effects like burns or infections, immediately seek medical attention.
Who Should Avoid Microcurrent Therapy?
Though considered safe for the general public and across all skin types, people falling under any of the following groups should avoid microcurrent treatments:
- Epilepsy patients
- Patients with pacemakers or other heart conditions
- Patients with other metal implants
- Pregnant women and nursing mothers
- Patients with face fillers or Botox
If you have certain allergies or skin sensitivities, you should also consult with a medical professional first before undergoing any treatment.
Microcurrent Therapy Cost
For an in-clinic microcurrent treatment, how much it cost would depend on where you are located and the qualifications of the professional doing your treatment.
Based on location alone, hotspots for this treatment include LA, New York, and Miami so expect prices to be higher in these places.
Typically, a single microcurrent session could go from $200 to $500.
At-home microcurrent devices could range from anywhere as low as $100 to as high as $500. Factors like the brand and model of the device could make the price go higher or lower.
Conclusion
As we age, so does our skin. We appear older, with fine lines and wrinkles on now saggy skin. Aging is a natural part of life but it doesn’t mean we have to look the part. One option to combat this is microcurrent therapy.
Microcurrent therapy uses low-level electric currents to train and work out the skin. This stimulates collagen and elastin growth, which primarily makes up the skin’s structure. This treatment helps patients achieve youthful-looking and plumper skin with each session.
And that has been our detailed guide on the question, “what is microcurrent therapy?”. If you have other questions, you can connect with us below!
