#SkinSchool: Everything you need to know about microcurrent facials

Anyone who prefers performance over pampering is likely to be already familiar with face-firming powers of a microcurrent facial. Like LED light therapy, microneedling, and radiofrequency, there’s little spa-like appeal to be found in this non-invasive treatment, yet the results can be good enough to have you hooked for life.

A quick search of microcurrent facials will throw up the kind of ‘before and after’ images that demand a double take: truly, the muscle-toning prowess of these high-tech devices is clear to see—even at a distance. The lifting effects have even drawn swathes of people away from the Botox needle, and the lure of fillers.

But what actually is microcurrent—and should we be applying it to our faces? Here, experts reveal everything you need to know, from how the technology works to the best at-home microcurrent devices to try.

What is microcurrent?

Microcurrent was first used in the 1980s as a treatment to stimulate muscles in people with conditions such as Bell’s Palsy. Once the face-lifting side effects were made apparent, it didn’t take long for the beauty industry to catch on, and microcurrent facials have been rising in popularity ever since.

“Microcurrent is essentially very low levels of electrical current,” explains facialist Abigail James. “It’s not unlike the body’s own bio-electrical field, making it fantastic for use within facials.”

How does microcurrent work?

The electrical current runs between the positive and negatively charged conductors (in salon devices, it’s usually long, slender rods, whereas at-home devices tend to feature more user-friendly spheres). When both are in contact with your skin, the current flows through the muscles, training them to tone up. So, they're not actually working on the skin, but rather the muscle beneath.

“The process involves re-educating the muscles: 32 of them, in fact,” says James. However, it isn’t actually the low-intensity microcurrent that does this alone. “Such a minute amount is used, that it’s not capable of manipulating the muscles by itself, which is why probes—or sometimes electric gloves, which are amazing for hands-on lifting and product penetration—are used. The probes physically move the muscles into the correct position: this is the process known as re-education,” she says.

What are the benefits of microcurrent?

As the mild electrical pulses stimulate your facial muscles, they create a more toned and lifted appearance—just like a sculpting gym workout for your face. The benefits are both immediate and cumulative, which is what keeps many people hooked. However, this isn’t the only reason to get to grips with microcurrent.

“Microcurrent’s main benefits go far beyond that of just a lift: it also boosts circulation, enhances penetration of skincare products, and stimulates collagen and elastin production. It even stimulates ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is essentially muscle energy: it’s responsible for a number of key processes such as photosynthesis, muscle re-education, and protein synthesis,” says James.

Are microcurrent facials safe?

According to James, it’s “perfectly safe and effective to start having microcurrent facials in your twenties and continue throughout your adult life.” However, there are a few people who should give it a miss.

“If you have epilepsy, diabetes, are pregnant, or have heart issues (such as a pacemaker fitted), microcurrent facials would not be suitable,” says James. “Likewise, if you have chronic acne, microcurrent may stimulate the inflammation you have. However, a small spot here or there can be fine.”

Does microcurrent hurt?

Microcurrent isn't a painful experience. However, clinic treatments vary in intensity, and at the higher end of the scale you may feel a tingling sensation, along with the occasional 'jump' as the current runs through the muscle. At-home toning devices use a lower electrical charge, so you shouldn't feel any discomfort at all.

In-salon facials vs at-home devices

Microcurrent’s in-clinic popularity has inevitably led to the emergence of at-home devices, and today, there are several impressive options on the market. However, as with most at-home tools, there are marked differences between your in-salon microcurrent facial and an at-home alternative.

As James explains, the differences lie in the strength of current and wavelengths. “They vary dramatically: some professional machines have a variety of wavelengths which give them more target as well as strength. Some also read the amount of energy your skin needs, so the treatment is more tailored. Also, you can gradually increase the strength in the clinic as you work through a treatment course.”

As all at-home microcurrent tools work on a much lower charge than in-salon machinery, the results require persistence. But while it will take longer, you can now achieve results similar to an in-clinic course at home. Chris Luckham, education specialist at Foreo recommends a three-to-six-minute treatment every day for the first two weeks, then top-ups three times per week thereon.

How to use a microcurrent device at home

Of course, at-home microcurrent devices come with rules for safe and efficient use, and you mustn’t be tempted to dive straight in at the deep end.

“As with anything new, you want to introduce a microcurrent device slowly into your routine for the long run, as opposed to going for a one-time treatment. Starting with a lower intensity and building up will give you more time to feel comfortable with the whole process and will be less of a ‘shock’ figuratively to the skin," says Luckham.

Secondly, it’s vital to prep your skin correctly before using your device. Skin must be thoroughly cleansed with an oil-free cleanser, (we recommend a gel formula) and be left completely free from product residue. “This is because oils actually act as a barrier to the electrical current,” says Luckham.

Once your skin is suitably prepped, it’s essential to apply your conductive gel. “Without this, the microcurrent has no gateway to the deeper layers (your muscles).” Furthermore, it’s important to use a specially formulated gel for use with microcurrent devices, as these are guaranteed to be water-based and entirely free from oils. Without using a gel, your device will simply ‘prick’ the skin, rather than travelling into the muscles, rendering it useless.

This piece originally appeared in Harper's Bazaar UK

Lead photo: New Beauty