There are few skin care products that yield instant results, but microcurrent is an expert-vetted, FDA-approved technology that delivers visible contouring and toning after just one treatment. From its roots in the medical field, microcurrent has flourished into a popular aesthetic treatment targeted at firming and lifting the skin, along with reducing wrinkles and depuffing the face. And you don’t have to go to facialist to get the treatment. There are a number of at-home microcurrent devices, so you can sculpt your face while watching your favorite show or during your nighttime skin care routine.
How do microcurrent devices work?
One of the biggest benefits of microcurrent therapy is that it’s a no-downtime, noninvasive treatment. So instead of using needles and injectables, microcurrent devices use low-level electrical currents that stimulate the facial muscles and tighten the skin. More than that, microcurrent increases the body’s production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) energy. This “accelerates cell repair and promotes healthier cell production, which in turn improves circulation, helps lymphatic drainage, lifts jowls and eyebrows and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” shares celebrity aesthetician Joanna Czech, adding that “microcurrent is a standard” in her studio’s facials.
The technology was first applied to the face when doctors found that the electrical currents could help with muscle rehabilitation for patients with Bell’s palsy or facial paralysis. As it showed promising cosmetic benefits and advancements made electric muscle-stimulation devices available outside doctors’ offices or day spas, microcurrent became a popular and accessible beauty tool.
Now, with face-sculpting transformations going viral on TikTok, curiosity about the technology has been piqued. And the results are no gimmick — Dr. Loretta Ciraldo, a Miami-based board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dr. Loretta skin care, affirms that microcurrent is a trusted treatment “used to improve skin contour, tone, fine facial lines and superficial wrinkling, and to produce softer textured skin.”
Who should try microcurrent treatments?
Pooja Johari, founder of 7e Wellness, recommends microcurrent for those at any stage of the aging process, “whether your goal is prevention, age management or more aggressive correction.” Indeed, Ciraldo says, “You can use it before you have much loss of elasticity and tone,” so it’s good for people in their 20s and early 30s “to prevent loss of skin firmness and keep up a tighter facial contour.”
According to the dermatologist, microcurrent is best for people in their 30s through 50s, noting that those “who see some loss of skin firmness but don’t have advanced wrinkling” will probably find successful results.
Moreover, because microcurrent is a non-injurious, no-downtime treatment, Johari notes that “it’s great for people who can’t use more aggressive modalities like microneedling, peels, lasers” and for those who want an alternative to injectables. Although, Ciraldo adds, it can also be an at-home treatment as an add-on to other more aggressive treatments, like fillers and Botox. Just be sure to wait two weeks post-injections before using your microcurrent device to avoid the chance of the Botox or fillers moving in the skin.
How to use microcurrent devices
First, when choosing a device, FaceGym founder Inge Theron recommends finding one “that lets you play around with the microcurrent levels.” That way you can ease into it and build up the intensity to what feels comfortable to you. “Whilst I love to amp mine up to the max, others may prefer a gentler approach,” she says.
In addition to the device itself, having a conductive serum or gel is necessary for any microcurrent treatment. Not only does it keep you from getting zapped but it helps the device glide on the skin and the current reach the muscles below.
You’ll also want to do the treatment on clean skin. “You will first cleanse your skin with your cleanser, use the microcurrent and then apply your at-home skin care products after you’ve used the device,” Ciraldo explains. Of course, she adds, “Always follow the directions given by the manufacturer of the device.”
Most importantly, all the experts we spoke to expressed that consistency is key if you want to maintain a contoured, lifted visage. “Microcurrent is gentle and cumulative,” Johari says. “Consistent, gentle treatments over time will yield better results than overly intense, sporadic treatments.”
Czech recommends microcurrent five times a week as part of a nighttime routine. And considering that most devices can complete a full treatment in under 10 minutes, it’s a quick and easy addition to a skin care regimen.
The best microcurrent devices
Czech and Ciraldo recommend NuFace, an FDA-cleared microcurrent tool that has been around since 2005 and a popular choice among both their clients. The classic Trinity device features five-minute treatments to sculpt and define the face, plus the option to add on other attachments for red light therapy or to target specific areas, like the lips. It’s a splurge-worthy beauty investment that experts and the rest of us continue to rave about almost two decades later.
A pro-level tool used in FaceGym facials (or what the brand calls “workouts”), the Pure Lift Face deeply stimulates the facial muscles with randomized electrical impulses that keep the muscles active. That means you might even see and feel your face twitch during treatment. “It’s powered by patented triple-wave technology, which combines low-, medium- and high-frequency waves to target both the dermis layers and deep into the facial muscles at the same time,” Theron explains.
The Myolift QT Plus features the typical dual-probe wand format, but it also comes with conductive masks targeted for the forehead, eye area and lips that allow you to deliver hands-free microcurrent treatments.
Whichever mode you go with, Johari says hydrated skin will yield the best results. “Hydrated skin conducts the current better, [so] make sure to drink lots of water and incorporate a water-based hydrator with ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin into your routine,” she advises.
While the NuFace Trinity+ may be the comparable upgrade to the Trinity Classic, we recommend saving some money and going with the Mini+ if you're looking for a smart device. The app-enabled microcurrent tool is pocket-sized yet powerful, making it a great option for traveling or simply saving some space.
With 10 microcurrent levels, T-sonic massage, an anti-shock system and guided treatments via the Foreo app, the small but mighty Bear is great for quick tune-ups with its two-minute treatments.
The Theraface Pro isn’t just a microcurrent tool — it also provides three kinds of LED light therapy, percussive massage and sonic cleansing, thanks to its myriad attachments. With its comparable price to other microcurrent devices, but so many included bells and whistles, the TheraFace Pro is a great value.
While the TheraFace allows you to switch between therapies, this Solawave Wand combines four treatments in one. With red light therapy, therapeutic warmth, facial massage and galvanic current (another type of electrical current), the celebrity-loved tool is a beauty multitasker. Just note that the galvanic current focuses on the skin and improving the absorption of skin care products rather than the muscles to tone the face.
For just under $100, reviewers say this battery-powered option gives instant results. The wand features five microcurrent levels and smaller probes so you can target areas like laugh lines.
Sleek and shiny, the Ziip Halo is the new upgrade to the Ziip GX. The attractive device pairs nanocurrent and microcurrent waveforms to lift and tone the face. Target the areas that need it most with a self-guided, four-minute treatment or connect to the app for long-term treatment plans.