Botox and dermal fillers are the gold standard of cosmetic treatments, but other, less invasive procedures can deliver similar results. Microcurrent facials are cost-effective skin-rejuvenating treatments that provide a natural lift with both short-term and long-term benefits, allowing your skin to firm up naturally by stimulating the facial muscles.
This article explains how the microcurrent facial works, what results to expect, and how much money to set aside for the treatment.
What Is a Microcurrent Facial Treatment?
The microcurrent facial is a safe, non-invasive treatment that has been touted as “a workout for the face”. It uses low-voltage electricity to tighten the muscles under the skin, improve skin tone and texture, and promote cell growth. This painless, injection-free procedure delivers immediate skin benefits with no recovery time.
At-home microcurrent devices are widely used, but do not produce remarkable lifting and toning effects. In-clinic microcurrent facials are far more effective as the provider can modulate the strength of current and wavelengths based on the target area and tailor each treatment to the patient’s unique needs.
How Does a Microcurrent Facial Treatment Work?
A microcurrent facial device uses two handheld probes with opposite electrical charges, creating a flow of electricity between them. These wand-like metal applicators lift, pinch, and glide over the skin to stimulate muscles, circulation, and collagen production.
When applied to the skin, the current penetrates to the underlying muscles, causing them to contract, tighten, and tone.
How to Prepare for a Microcurrent Facial?
You should come to the procedure with a clean, makeup-free face and no jewelry. Refrain from using topical retinol and retinoids five to seven days before the appointment to prevent inflammation.
What Does a Microcurrent Facial Procedure Look Like?
These are the steps of a microcurrent facial procedure:
- Cleansing and preparation - The provider cleans the patient’s skin and massages it to get the blood going and prepares it for electrical stimulation.
- Conductive gel application - A water-based gel is applied to the face and neck to ensure that the electricity reaches the targeted muscles. At Vibrant Skin, we apply Osmosis Hydraluxe mask.
- Microcurrent application – Using dual probes, the provider gently lifts and holds the skin in areas that are prone to sagging, such as the eyebrows, cheeks, and neck. The provider glides the device in an upward motion and repeats the movements three to ten times.
- Post-treatment care - The cosmetic provider applies gentle biome-friendly skincare products that hydrate, nourish, and protect the skin barrier.
The whole session can last up to an hour and is entirely painless. Patients typically describe feeling a gentle pulsation, twitching, tingling, and warmth.
Note: Read about similar non-invasive facials that improve skin tone and texture, such as the Oxygen Facial and HydraFacial.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Microcurrent Facial Treatment?
Microcurrent facials are suitable for all skin types, tones, and ages. They are especially beneficial for:
- Individuals in their twenties seeking to prevent premature aging and maintain facial tone.
- Those in their thirties aiming to address early signs of aging, such as mild loss of elasticity.
- Mature patients who want to improve skin texture and slow further sagging.
- People with areas prone to drooping, including the jawline, cheeks, and brows.
- Anyone experiencing mild skin laxity, puffiness, or facial swelling.
- People looking to redefine facial contours and lift sagging features.
- Individuals with poor facial circulation and a dull, tired-looking complexion.
What Age Benefits from a Microcurrent Facial?
This skin-rejuvenating treatment is not just for mature skin problems.
People in their twenties can use it as a preventative measure against premature aging while enjoying immediate lifting effects with zero downtime.
You can continue with regular maintenance treatments throughout your adult life to support facial contours, reduce moderate laxity, and boost circulation.
What Does Microcurrent Do to the Face?
Microcurrent facial treatments provide a host of skin benefits that are both immediate and cumulative. You maximize these results with regular touch-up appointments.
Tighter Skin
Microcurrent facials help the skin regain its firmness and elasticity by stimulating the underlying muscles. The result is a visibly tighter, more supple skin with fewer textural irregularities.
Shrunken Pores
Microcurrent devices lift and smooth the skin, making pores less noticeable. However, this treatment does not directly address enlarged pores in the way laser resurfacing or chemical peels do.
Improved Circulation
Low-level electrical currents improve blood circulation, delivering more oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to the face. Thus nourished, the skin looks healthier, radiant, and revitalized for days.
Reduced Puffiness and Increased Lymphatic Flow
Gentle electrical currents activate lymphatic drainage, eliminating excess fluid, toxins, and waste from the skin. This process significantly reduces facial puffiness and swelling.
Increased Cellular Activity
Microcurrent mimics the body’s natural bioelectric signals, stimulating the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the molecules that store cellular energy. Increased ATP supports cellular function, accelerates tissue repair, and promotes overall skin health. Higher ATP levels also help build more collagen and elastin, enhancing skin elasticity.
Naturally Lifted or Redefined Facial Features
The microcurrent device gently lifts the skin while delivering low-level electrical impulses to the underlying muscles. This “facial workout” strengthens, tones, and re-educates dormant muscles, leaving the face more defined, sculpted, and naturally lifted.
Reduced Appearance of Wrinkles
Regular microcurrent facials reduce the depth and visibility of minor creases and wrinkles, mainly in the forehead area. However, do not expect immediate or drastic wrinkle reduction after one or two sessions. Microcurrent stimulates collagen and elastin production, leading to gradual textural improvements and smoothness.
Minimal or No Side Effects
The treatment is painless and non-invasive, ideal for those who prefer non-surgical cosmetic solutions. This means that there are fewer side effects and potential health risks involved. However, some patients experience mild and temporary side effects, including tingling, irritation, dryness, and increased skin sensitivity.
No Downtime
Microcurrent facials are convenient for busy people who want to resume daily activities immediately after the treatment. Your skin may look flushed from increased circulation, but skin color is typically restored within minutes, allowing you to continue with your day.
Note: You can combine this facial with RevitaPen facial infusion or oxygen-infused therapy for added benefits, such as exfoliation or hydration.
Microcurrent Facial Treatment Results
Microcurrent treatments lift, tighten, and smooth the skin, making it more supple, flexible, and defined. One session can produce subtle but instantly visible improvements, such as slimmer features, reduced puffiness, contoured cheekbones, and a lifted brow.
However, initial results are short-lived. The long-term benefits, including increased collagen levels and anti-aging effects, require consistency and regular sessions every 4 to 6 weeks. The ideal frequency of recommended treatments depends on the patient’s skin and response. Aestheticians suggest monthly sessions to maintain optimal results.
How Long Do Results of Microcurrent Facial Last?
Short-term benefits, such as improved blood circulation, lifted features, and reduced puffiness, can last for several days. The longevity of these results depends on your age and skin condition.
Long-term benefits, such as smoother skin, fewer wrinkles, and improved elasticity, require regular maintenance sessions every month. These results are cumulative and become more pronounced with each new session.
Microcurrent Facial Treatment Side Effects
Microcurrent facials are safe for most healthy adults, but may provoke mild side effects that fade within minutes, including:
- Redness
- Warmth
- Tingling
- Prickling
- Mild muscle twitching (during the procedure)
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Headaches
- Eye twitching
Patients who have recently had dermal fillers or neurotoxin injections should wait at least two weeks before scheduling a microcurrent facial to minimize the risk of product migration.
Sensitive skin types may experience prolonged irritation. Using untested or unregulated microcurrent devices or undergoing treatment from an untrained provider increases the risk of skin damage.
For safety and best results, we recommend scheduling the procedure with a licensed professional.
Microcurrent Facial Treatment Aftercare
You can resume your daily activities after a microcurrent facial, including exercise and work.
To minimize irritation and prolong the effects, follow these post-care guidelines:
- Avoid rubbing or applying pressure to the skin during the first 24 hours.
- Avoid skincare products with ingredients that may irritate the skin, such as retinoids, vitamin C, and exfoliating acids (e.g., glycolic, lactic, salicylic).
- Clean your face with mild, hydrating, barrier-supporting components, such as hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, ceramides, and soothing botanicals.
- Apply a broad-spectrum, chemical-free sunscreen whenever you leave the house.
- Wait three to seven days before scheduling microneedling, a chemical peel, Botox, filler, or a laser.
Consult your dermatologist about the appropriate waiting time between a microcurrent and other cosmetic treatments. Some providers may perform a mild chemical peel on the same day, while others prefer to postpone it to minimize inflammation.
Who Should Not Have a Microcurrent Facial?
Though the electricity used during the treatment is of low voltage, certain groups of people should consult their medical provider about undergoing a microcurrent facial.
The factors that may pose a risk include:
- Heart issues
- Metal implants and pacemakers
- Epilepsy
- Diabetes
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- Severe acne
- Open sores
- Face fillers
- Botox
Microcurrent Facial Treatment Cost
At Vibrant Skin Bar, one microcurrent facial session costs $65.
Our skin experts will evaluate your skin and recommend the optimal frequency of microcurrent facials to achieve those red-carpet results.
Conclusion
Microcurrent facials are painless, inexpensive, and deliver both immediate and long-term results. Some describe them as taking your face to the gym, as they enhance muscle tone, promote firmer skin, and refine facial contours. This treatment is ideal for anyone seeking instant, red-carpet radiance along with lasting rejuvenation.
Consult our skin experts for more information about microcurrent and other facial treatments.
