Microcurrent Skin Treatments: What Are the Benefits?

Microcurrent technology has been generating a lot of buzz lately in the cosmetics industry, and it’s for good reason. This innovative beauty treatment uses electricity to promote rejuvenation in the skin and the underlying muscles. Microcurrent facials and body toning can help reverse the visible signs of aging, even after one short session. Plus, the procedure is non-invasive and painless with absolutely no post-treatment recovery time.

But, that’s not all. It can also result in numerous health benefits that make recipients not only look better but feel better, too.

Below we’ll take a closer look at microcurrent skin treatment, including how it works, the benefits and effectiveness of this form of beauty therapy, as well as the devices used to administer it.

What is a Microcurrent Skin Treatment?

A microcurrent facial or body treatment is a cosmetic procedure involving a special handheld device that delivers a low-voltage current of electricity to the body. These so-called microcurrents stimulate the cells in the skin and muscles in order to rejuvenate the recipient’s physical appearance.

Microcurrent treatments are a popular choice for facials, but they can also be used for toning the skin and muscles in the body. A lot of people report immediately noticeable results after microcurrent treatment, including a reduction of wrinkles, tighter, more radiant skin, and a more sculpted appearance.

What many may not realize, however, is that microcurrent technology has actually been in use for several decades. Since the 1970s, physicians and physical therapists have used microcurrent technology to reduce pain and inflammation cause by injury and treat a range of conditions, including asthma, arthritis, Bellโ€™s palsy, chronic headaches, and shingles.

The devices used to administer these treatments are FDA-approved and widely considered to be safe. People can either receive professional treatments from a licensed dermatologist or aesthetician or purchase a personal microcurrent device for home use.

The costs of on-site treatments can vary significantly based on treatment goals, practitioner expertise, and, the location of the spa or clinic. On average, professional microcurrent skin treatments can cost between $200 and $600 per session. Many dermatologists and aestheticians may also bundle microcurrent skin treatments with other services, such as face masks, hydrating serums, and massages, as part of a bigger beauty package.


On the other hand, at-home devices will range in price between $150 to $500. The cost difference generally depends on the size and strength of the microcurrent device and if there are any additional attachments.

How Do Microcurrent Facials Work?

Now that we have a little background, let’s delve a bit deeper into how microcurrent treatments actually work.

Microcurrent devices are equipped with two electrodes, one positive and one negative, which deliver a low-level current of electricity to the recipient’s skin. After cleansing and preparing the skin, a layer of primer gel is then applied to the treatment area. The gel assists in the transfer of the electric current from the device to the recipient’s skin while allowing the device to glide more smoothly over the area.

The electric current itself is similar to the body’s natural current. This fact allows it to do its magic stimulating cell growth by tightening the muscles and connective tissues of the face and body– a process that resembles a light work out.

This, in turn, stimulates other important cellular activities such as collagen production and lymphatic drainage. More on this is below.

To date, microcurrent facials have been clinically shown to reduce wrinkles and improve both facial contour and texture. Plus, since the treatment does not involve any surgery, recipients remain awake throughout the session and can resume their usual activity immediately.

What Are the Benefits of Microcurrent Therapy?


Microcurrent skin treatments have many benefits:

  1. Quick, painless non-invasive treatments

Let’s start with the most obvious. Microcurrent facials and body toning treatments do not require surgery. They are painless and no recovery time is needed afterward. Not only do recipients generally see immediate improvements following a treatment, but these changes can last for up to two weeks before wearing off. Sessions are also typically no more than a few minutes in length, carried out daily, weekly, or bi-weekly depending on the size of the area being worked on, the treatment goals, and the strength of the device.


2. Improvement in skin tone and texture


While a facelift may reduce the signs of aging in a person’s facial features, it doesn’t help to improve the skin’s tone and texture. Microcurrent treatments, on the other hand, result in more radiant, supple skin. It also evens out a person’s natural skin tone.

3. Numerous non-cosmetic health benefits

According to a small, but growing body of research, microcurrent stimulation may also offer a number of non-cosmetic health benefits, including:

โ€ข An increase in ATP production within the body by a staggering 500% the following treatment. ATP is responsible for powering cellular energy and helps to increase muscle tone and diminish sagging.
โ€ข An improvement in blood circulation by almost 40% within three weeks after starting treatment.
โ€ข Microcurrent stimulation may help to enhance wound healing by reducing inflammation and increasing blood circulation. This may help soothe and reduce chronic wounds and ulcers.
โ€ข One study reported that daily self-administered microcurrent sessions could reduce facial pain from sinus congestion for several hours at a time over a 4 week period.

Professional Vs Personal Microcurrent Devices: What’s the
Difference?

Professional microcurrent devices work the same way as at-home devices, but they tend to be much more powerful. For this reason, they are not recommended for home use. They may, however, create more pronounced results in less time.


People doing microcurrent facials at home will generally need to use them more frequently and consistently to get equivalent results. It may take up to two months and multiple sessions per week before users achieve their desired goals.


The benefit to personal microcurrent devices over professional treatments is that they can be used over the long-term at little extra cost.

Are Microcurrent Skin Treatments Safe?

Since microcurrents have a low voltage, they are not strong enough to cause injury as long as the device is used correctly. Some individuals, however, should not receive microcurrent treatment, in particular, people with:

โ€ข epilepsy
โ€ข heart conditions
โ€ข implanted medical devices, such as pacemakers

Many spas and clinics offering microcurrent skin treatments also recommend against treating women who are pregnant or nursing since not enough research has been done to confirm their safety in those cases.

An individual who has received microcurrent treatments should consult a doctor about any side effects, such as skin discomfort or tingling, dry skin, dizziness, and fatigue especially if they are severe or do not improve with time. Moreover, when trying a microcurrent facial at home, a person should always use a device approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and seek treatment from a licensed professional.


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