The bell curve. It exists for everything biological, from height, weight, intelligence, as well as collagen tightening, firming & lifting. Most people lie on the 50th centile. The ones that do really well lie on the right side of the curve, the ones who don’t lie on the left. Those who think microcurrent is a face lift substitute, will have IQ on the way left of the curve. 

As a rule of thumb, people who will more than likely benefit from microcurrent will have mild skin laxity, no collagen breakdown (sun damage), with mild to mild-moderate lower face laxity, thick dermal layer & shallow to moderate superficial fat pads with genetically contractile collagen. Stereotype good responder; skin type 3 to 4, late 30s, average BMI, sun protected for most of their life.

Microcurrent works for skin by using low-level electrical currents to stimulate the muscles and tissues in the face. When applied to the skin, microcurrent devices deliver a series of gentle electrical impulses that mimic the natural electrical currents found in the body. These impulses penetrate the skin and work to stimulate the muscles, helping them to contract and relax.

As the muscles contract and relax, they become more toned and firm, which can lead to a more lifted appearance of the skin. Microcurrent also helps to increase blood flow and promote collagen production, which can improve skin texture and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Additionally, microcurrent can help to improve lymphatic drainage, which can reduce puffiness and improve the overall health and appearance of the skin. The effects of microcurrent are cumulative, and regular use can help to maintain a more youthful and radiant complexion over time.

It is a hard call between companies such as Foreo Bear, NuFACE, Ziip Beauty & a whole lot more. This page is not sponsored by any company, & here is my answer. They all have similar outcomes, despite their claims. Some hurt more than others, some are more convenient to use, & they range in price. Outcomes are similar. It comes to personal preference.

Consider variables such as treatment levels, add ons (RF, LED, percussion therapy), treatment time & pricing. A quick summary of the leading microcurrent devices; 

The Foreo Bear is a basic microcurrent handheld system that works with an app. The point of difference is that it has antishock technology & has a super long battery life of over 90 uses per charge. The downside to this system is that the app use can be fiddly & the device is ‘locked’ for each individual user. Treatments are lightning quick at only 2 minutes daily. 

NuFACE is a brand that offers a range of facial toning devices that use microcurrent technology to help lift, tone, and contour the skin. 

NuFACE devices work by emitting low-level electrical currents that mimic the body’s natural electrical currents. These currents stimulate the muscles in the face, causing them to contract and relax, which helps to improve blood circulation and promote collagen production. This can result in a more lifted and toned appearance of the skin.

NuFACE devices come in various sizes and styles, including the NuFACE Trinity, NuFACE Mini, and NuFACE Fix, among others. The devices can be used in combination with NuFACE skincare products, which are specifically formulated to enhance the effects of the microcurrent technology.

The frequency of microcurrent treatments for the face can vary depending on individual skin concerns and treatment goals. Generally, for optimal results, it is recommended to use microcurrent at least 2-3 times per week for the first 4-6 weeks, followed by maintenance treatments once or twice a week thereafter. Treatment times vary between 2 to 10 minutes, depending on the device. Foreo Bear has the shortest treatment time of 2 minutes.

It’s important to note that microcurrent is a cumulative treatment, meaning that the benefits build up over time with consistent use. If you stop using microcurrent, the effects will gradually fade, so it’s important to incorporate it into your regular skincare routine for long-term benefits.

There are several ways to tighten skin, including non-invasive treatments and surgical procedures. Here are some of the most common ways to tighten skin, explained scientifically:

1. Topical treatments: Topical treatments, such as retinoids and peptides, work by stimulating collagen production in the skin. Collagen is a protein that gives the skin its elasticity, and as we age, our collagen production decreases, leading to sagging and wrinkles. By using topical treatments that boost collagen production, we can help to improve skin firmness and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Best used as prevention, rather than treatment. The chances of ‘tighter skin’ with retinol is remotely slim.
2. Laser treatments: Laser treatments work by heating the skin to stimulate collagen production. As the skin heats up, it triggers a wound-healing response, which leads to the production of new collagen. This can help to improve skin firmness and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. CO2 lasers are the best, followed by erbium, then non-ablative lasers. 
3. Ultrasound treatments: Ultrasound treatments work by using high-frequency sound waves to heat the deeper layers of the skin. This heat triggers a wound-healing response, which leads to collagen production and improved skin firmness. This is termed HIFU or high frequency focused ultrasound, AKA Ultherapy, Ultraformer. 
4. Radiofrequency treatments: Radiofrequency treatments work by delivering radio waves to the skin, which heats the tissues and stimulates collagen production. This can help to improve skin firmness and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Some handheld devices have micro current & RF; an example is the Amiro Pro Facial RF R1. Clinical devices such as NuEra, EmFace, TriLift & Genius RF are much better & more effective than home devices. 
5. Thread lifts: are effective. PLLA or PDO barbed & fixing threads are much better than PDO monos, however longevity is the key issue, not the lifting potential of threads. 
6. Collagen stimulating dermal fillers & injectables: Examples include Profhilo (HA), Radiesse (CAH), Sculptra (PLLA) & Gouri (PLA). They provide better results than hand held home devices. Most require 2-5 sessions, spaced 4-6 weeks apart.  
7. Surgery: Surgical procedures, such as facelifts and neck lifts, involve removing excess skin and tightening the underlying tissues. This is the gold standard of tissue lifting & tightening. 

Overall, the effectiveness of these treatments can vary depending on the individual and the severity of their skin concerns.

With the correct device, RF is much more effective than microcurrent. More on that later. 

RF skin tightening refers to a non-surgical cosmetic procedure that uses radiofrequency (RF) energy to tighten and firm the skin. This treatment is designed to improve skin laxity, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and stimulate collagen production.

During an RF skin tightening treatment, a handheld device is used to deliver RF energy to the skin. The energy penetrates the skin and heats the deeper layers of tissue, which triggers a natural healing response. This response causes the production of new collagen and elastin fibers, which help to tighten and firm the skin over time.

RF skin tightening is a non-invasive and non-surgical treatment that requires no downtime. The procedure is typically painless, with most patients reporting a warming sensation during treatment. RF skin tightening can be used on various areas of the body, including the face, neck, arms, and abdomen, among others.

While the results of RF skin tightening can vary depending on the individual and their skin concerns, most patients report a noticeable improvement in skin laxity and texture after a series of treatments. It is more effective than home microcurrent devices because the heat that RF generates goes much deeper into the tissue than microcurrent; approximately 50 to 200 times the depth of even the most powerful handheld microcurrent devices.

Laser and microcurrent are both effective treatments for skin tightening, but they work in different ways and may be better suited for different individuals and skin concerns.

Laser treatments work by delivering heat energy to the deeper layers of the skin, which stimulates collagen production and promotes skin tightening. The heat energy from the laser is absorbed by the water in the skin, causing controlled damage to the tissue and triggering the body’s natural healing response. Laser treatments can be more aggressive than microcurrent, and they can provide more dramatic results for certain skin concerns, such as deep wrinkles or severe skin laxity. However, laser treatments require some downtime for recovery.

On the other hand, microcurrent treatments use low-level electrical currents to stimulate the muscles and tissues in the face, leading to improved skin firmness. Microcurrent treatments are less invasive than laser treatments, and require no downtime. Microcurrent treatments are best suited for mild skin laxity, and they can provide a more subtle improvement in skin tightness over time. Devices such as Foreo Bear, NuFace & Ziip Beauty provide a subjective improvement, as compared with objective gains that lasers can deliver. 

HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) and microcurrent are both non-invasive treatments for skin tightening, but they work in different ways. HIFU works by delivering focused ultrasound energy deep into the skin, creating heat and triggering a natural healing response that stimulates collagen production. HIFU can provide more dramatic results for skin tightening than microcurrent, and the effects can last longer. HIFU can also be used to target deeper layers of the skin, making it effective for treating more severe skin laxity.

Microcurrent devices such as Foreo & NuFACE employ electrical energy to stimulate the muscles and tissues in the face. They provide subjective gains, not objective lifting or contouring, as compared to HIFU (performed correctly). 

In my practice I use HIFU primarily to shape, contour & tighten the lower face via collateral damage to the superficial fat pads. This is an advanced procedure & is not suited to everyone. I use HIFU on a case to case basis, often in combination with lasers, & injectables.

No comparison. Home devices are novel treatments, while proper clinic devices perform several levels higher. Electromechanical simulation devices (or dynamic muscle stimulation), especially when combined with radiofrequency, amplifies skin tightening, firming, & in many cases lifting. 

EmFace & NuEra work by selectively stimulating key muscles of the midface to improve resting muscle tone. This results in reduction of lower face laxity & deep nasolabial lines. RF built into these devices penetrates to a deep level to cause immediate collagen contraction, & stimulation over several treatments.

Microcurrent is generally considered safe and has few reported side effects when used correctly. However, some people may experience mild side effects, which can include:

1. Skin irritation: Some people may experience mild redness, itchiness, or irritation at the treatment site, particularly if they have sensitive skin.
2. Muscle soreness: Microcurrent works by stimulating the muscles and tissues in the face, which can cause some muscle soreness or fatigue, particularly after the first few treatments.
3. Headaches: Some people may experience mild headaches after microcurrent treatment, particularly if the device is used near the temples.
4. Metal taste in the mouth: Some people may experience a metallic taste in their mouth during treatment due to the electrical current.

Foreo, Ziip & NuFACE will not disclose this information, but they will give you fluff regarding consumers with moderate to severe skin laxity. Take this information I am about to deliver as a statement based upon probability not possibility, & understand that the bell curve phenomena exists. 

Non-responder profile of microcurrent & the reasons why.

• Sun damage: if you have sun damage, your collagen is broken. It will not contract. This patient group will benefit from lasers & deep chemical peels. 
• Heavy lower face: especially jowls. If your pathology lies in the fat & if you have a thick superficial fat layer (nasolabial & jowl fat pads), no amount of microcurrent will lift. Even with clinic treatments such as NuEra & EmFace the results are not predictable. Ellacor, HIFU/Ultherapy & other treatments may be required.
• Deep wrinkles: don’t go away with Foreo, NuFACE or Ziip, in fact deep wrinkles of the nasolabial area respond poorly to clinic treatments such as RF. Fillers work better. 
• Volume depletion: if you are deflated in your deep fat pads (as opposed to re-distribution & fibroseptal laxity of your superficial fat pads), consider dermal fillers. They work. 
• Age: whilst not an absolute predictor, the older you get the less your collagen contracts. 
• Smokers: have much less chances of collagen stimulation. Additionally collagen is damaged & fragmented by years of smoking. 
• Ethnicity: again not an absolute predictive factor, however ethnic skin contracts collagen better. Why? Because of genetic reasons. Additionally skin of color will have better protected collagen because melanin reduces the breakdown of collagen.