6 Best Microcurrent Devices | The Strategist

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The first time I tried microcurrent was in a brightly lit store surrounded by 50 other beauty writers. The year was , and NuFace and FaceGym, then using a newfangled technique, had teamed up to show off the brands&#; latest technology. I lay still as a woman glided the NuFace over my skin, carving and sculpting my cheekbones as if they were made of clay, while I ignored the zappy feeling when she got close to my hairline. When she was finally done and gave me a mirror to inspect her handiwork, I was indifferent. I was 22 then, so there wasn&#;t much (or anything) to lift and tone, and though I noticed a slight improvement, it was nothing that pushed me to add a microcurrent device to my routine. But I was curious. Since then, I&#;ve kept an eye on this space and watched it explode. I spent much of quarantine scrolling on TikTok, NuFace in hand, as my algorithm pushed videos about lymphatic drainage and facial massage. It felt inescapable. I found myself reaching for my device to try to follow their techniques. As I sat in my bathroom covered in the equivalent of fancy ultrasound gel, I wondered, How does this even work? Well, it&#;s essentially a workout for your face.

Microcurrent devices stimulate facial muscles and produce gentle contractions in them using low-voltage electric current. &#;This can temporarily increase those muscles&#; resting tone,&#; says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Daniel Belkin of New York Dermatology Group. It&#;s like going to the gym and doing a bunch of curls. Immediately after your workout, the biceps are defined, says dermatologist Mona Gohara, M.D., associate clinical professor of dermatology at the Yale School of Medicine.

As with any workout program, you need to commit &#; typically, at least five times a week &#; to see cumulative benefits from microcurrent. The idea is that, over time, you are firming muscles. &#;The energy runs through the muscle to strengthen it, and the stronger muscle then lifts the skin due to its increased size. This is all very microscopic, so you won&#;t build bulky muscles in your face,&#; says Joie Tavernise, an NYC-based aesthetician. &#;You can expect the skin to look smoother and firmer from microcurrent devices. However, to maintain the results, the treatment needs to be performed frequently,&#; says Marina Peredo, a board-certified dermatologist and associate clinical professor in the department of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. In other words, microcurrent devices tend to work best for someone with an established skin-care routine who will stick with it and is looking for an extra boost &#; not a miracle.

And while microcurrent devices are generally tolerated, certain people should avoid them altogether, such as those who are pregnant or anyone with a pacemaker or other electrical implant. If you have diabetes or a heart condition, I recommend asking your doctor before using one, and if you&#;ve recently had Botox or filler, most aestheticians recommend waiting a few weeks to let it settle.

With all the warnings out of the way, I&#;ve rounded up the best microcurrent devices below for all types of users, recommended by aestheticians who use them often.

The best overall microcurrent device for occasional users

NuFACE Mini+ Starter Kit

$250

now 30% off

$175

NuFace is the OG of micocurrent devices and tends to be the entry point for most people interested trying the technology. The brand has been around since and has become synonymous with microcurrent. NuFace&#;s most popular devices are the NuFace Trinity+ and the NuFace Mini. The main difference between the two is the Trinity+ has interchangeable attachments so you can tone the entire face or target specific areas, while the Mini has two fixed metal globes. Both deliver microcurrent pulses, and for most people, the Mini will work well and offer noticeable results. It&#;s also half the price, making it an ideal option for someone who wants to get into using devices or plans to be an occasional user and doesn&#;t want to spend upwards of $300. Compared with some other microcurrent devices, the NuFace functionality is straightforward. It turns on or off, and you can increase the intensity of the pulses but that&#;s about it. &#;The Mini is great if you want something super-simple with no other bells and whistles,&#; says Raquel Medina-Cleghorn, an aesthetician and the founder of facial studio Raquel New York. I&#;ve personally used the Mini off and on for the past five years. I like to break it out before big events or days when I look puffy, swiping the device around for about ten minutes until my face looks a bit more lifted and toned. I use it the same way I would a gua sha, and the results are similar to a lymphatic-drainage massage but with less effort. Samantha Mims, an aesthetician at Brooklyn Face and Eye, likes the device and uses it occasionally, particularly before big events or while traveling. &#;The prongs on the device are pretty basic and allow you to get in there and really sculpt the face and trace the muscles,&#; she says. &#;I notice results pretty immediately after each treatment.&#; Elizabeth Hand, an aesthetician and founder of Stalle Studios, recommends it for casual users. &#;If you&#;re using it every couple of weeks, I think the NuFace is good,&#; she says. &#;It&#;s less of an investment.&#;

$175

at Amazon

Buy

$250

at Nordstrom

Buy

The best microcurrent device for intermediate users

MyoLift Mini Microcurrent Device

$317

$317

Two aestheticians I spoke to mentioned the MyoLift Mini, which most closely resembles the tools they use at work and offers results similar to an in-office treatment. Unlike most at-home devices, which use a single handheld device, this one uses two wands with smaller targeted metal tips that allow you to be more precise. &#;It hugs the contours of your face perfectly,&#; says Sarah Akram, an aesthetician and the founder of Sarah Akram Skincare, a facial studio in Alexandria, Virginia. You use the small wands similarly to the way you would use a larger handheld device, following the shape of your bone structure. At $329, it&#;s around the same price as the NuFace Trinity but offers more flexibility. It&#;s a good option if you&#;re looking to invest a bit more in microcurrent and have some experience with other devices or are willing to spend time learning about microcurrent technique. Because this device is marketed to skin-care professionals, there isn&#;t much formal instruction available (though there are a few helpful YouTube videos), so you&#;re on your own in figuring out how it works.

$317

at Amazon

Buy

$329

at 7e Wellness

Buy

The best beginner microcurrent device

ZIIP Halo

$399

$399

If you&#;ve never touched a microcurrent device before, something with a bit of instruction is ideal. Medina-Cleghorn likes the ZIIP, which comes with a preprogrammed facial and an app that has a range of easy-to-follow tutorials. The brand&#;s founder, Melanie Simon, often creates new facials for the app, and once you purchase the device, you&#;ll always have access to the facial library. There are videos for full facials that range from four to ten minutes, along with shorter videos that help you target specific areas and achieve specific goals such as a lifted brow or tighter jawline. Medina-Cleghorn also likes the combination of micro- and nanocurrent, with the latter helping to increase collagen production. &#;Unlike traditional microcurrent technology that mainly lifts, sculpts, and tightens, the ZIIP can address hyperpigmentation, acne, and puffiness, and it can be used on delicate areas, like under eyes, without extra attachments,&#; says Edyta Jarosz, a master aesthetician at Shafer Clinic Fifth Avenue in New York.

$399

at ZIIP Beauty

Buy

The best multipurpose microcurrent device

TheraFace Pro

$399

now 25% off

$299

At-home devices produce much weaker currents than professional models, but this one has so many different modalities and attachments you get lots of bang for your buck. &#;I find myself using it on my clients,&#; says Natalie Aguilar, an aesthetician based in Beverly Hills. &#;Because it offers so many different therapies, such as LED light, hot and cold rings, various face massagers, and, of course, a microcurrent attachment, I constantly use it. It is very easy to use, it&#;s cord free, and it leaves instant results. It really depuffs and tones. It&#;s also timed, so I know a full treatment has been achieved.&#; Medina-Cleghorn is also a fan. &#;It has all these bell and whistles,&#; she says. &#;There are three different wavelengths of LED, and you can do that simultaneously with the percussion.&#;

$299

at Amazon

Buy

$299

at Therabody

Buy

The best hands-free microcurrent device

7e MyoLift QT Plus Facial Toning Device

$329

$329

You will get efficient and thoughtful service from bodesi'.

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In addition to a two-pronged handheld device, the MyoLift QT Plus comes with hands-free conductive mask attachments for the eyes, lips, and forehead. &#;Our favorite part of the QT is its accessories,&#; says Christina Uzzardi, aesthetician and founder of Cheeks + Co, who points out that compliance is a big part of the equation, so the easier the device is to use, the better. Start with a light layer of conductive gel (Uzzardi prefers aloe and a touch of glycerin), then select a program and apply the attachments. &#;Watch your favorite show, and let the device do its magic,&#; she says.

$329

at 7e Wellness

Buy

Best microcurrent device for spot treatments

Solawave 4-in-1 Advanced Skincare Wand

$169

$169

Solawave is best known for its red-light LED wands, but its 4-in-1 Advanced Skincare Wand includes microcurrent technology. Unlike most of the recommendations on this list, this device won&#;t do global facial toning, but the small surface area is good for delicate spots like the lip line or eyelid. &#;I like it for areas that are crepey and harder to reach,&#; says Mims. She also likes the added benefit of red light, which can help with inflammation and wrinkles.

$169

at Nordstrom

Buy

$149

at Solawave

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New innovations in the beauty tech space have birthed at-home devices that deliver visible, lasting ... [+] results.

getty

In , when the world as we knew unceremoniously came to a halt, the beauty space witnessed the rise of at-home skincare tools and devices. While waiting with bated breaths for their favorite spas and beauty centers to re-open, skincare enthusiasts shifted to DIY treatments at home that would make them feel brand new. This would explain the sudden growth of the beauty tech category which surged in the years to . For many beauty enthusiasts, this was a period for accumulating an entire collection of beauty tools and devices: facial cleansing devices, skin tightening tools, LED therapy masks and wands.

An entire drawer had been filled with devices and tools in the past four years. Most of which had not seen the light of day since the start of the post pandemic era. There were several LED masks that lay at the bottom. They had not truly rendered results despite devoting each night to wearing them while binge watching Stranger Things. A compact microdermabrasion wand, whose arrival in the mail sometime in had sadly stopped working. I also invested in a low level laser comb to go with my hair supplements. Whether it truly worked or not remains a mystery.

As I streamlined and edited my beauty arsenal, I began thinking about skincare goals, concerns, and needs. Anti aging and skin rejuvenation were marked as priorities. These encompassed the need to tone, tighten and firm skin. Then there&#;s the list of things that most of us wish we didn&#;t have to see in the mirror each day&#;fine lines, wrinkles, and peach fuzz (baby hairs on our face). These were considerations that inform a recent decluttering session and this year&#;s list of investment-worthy at-home beauty devices.

Lyma Laser For Skin Rejuvenation And Regeneration

LYMA Laser addresses skin concerns like pigmentation, wrinkles, scarring, acne, and blemishes. The ... [+] device also helps to improve surface texture, clarity and appearance of pores.

LYMA

When LYMA Lasers were first introduced in the market, consumers were struck by its $2,400 price tag. The conversation among skincare enthusiasts revolved around how effective it is&#;and if this buzzy device was worth investing in.

WHY IT&#;S WORTH THE INVESTMENT: LYMA is the world's first clinical-grade laser device for at-home use, which makes it 100 times more powerful than the other beauty wands. Reputable aestheticians and beauty centers have even incorporated it into their skincare offerings.

Personally, I&#;ve been using my LYMA Laser for the last two years, and it has helped cut the frequency of my derma visits by at least half. In that respect, investing in this device has generated savings in the long term. It has helped to soothe skin redness and inflammation especially after a long night. After a few months of regular use, skin tone and texture had visibly improved.

WHAT IT DOES: LYMA Laser supports skin rejuvenation and regenerations. It penetrates deep into the base layer of skin to address concerns like: premature aging, loss of skin elasticity, redness, and inflammation.

7E Wellness MyoLift QT Plus Facial Toning Device For Sculpting and Lifting

7E WELLNESS MyoLift QT Plus

7E WELLNESS

If you&#;re a fan of facial tightening and lifting treatments like Ultherapy and Thermage, you are most likely to appreciate the benefits of having an at-home microcurrent device. 7E WELLNESS&#;s MyoLift QT Plus utilizes True Microcurrent (&#;) technology to stimulate muscles, cellular growth, and collagen production. At $229, each kit comes with: MyoLift QT Device, a forehead mask, a neck mask with two electrodes, 2 oz. Restore Gel, 2 oz. Replenish spritz, applicator probes, a lead wire and charge.

WHY IT&#;S WORTH THE INVESTMENT. The MyoLift QT Plus elevates every skincare routine to a full on spa experience. I love how the device works in conjunction with the QT Plus App, which allows you to customize your treatments, track progress, and access expert tips and tutorials on how to optimize results with the MyoLift QT Plus.

I haven&#;t booked an Ultherapy or Thermage session since &#;mostly because these in-office treatments are costly. They can go for up to $5,000 depending on the targeted area. As someone whose threshold for pain is almost non-existent, I find these treatments excruciatingly painful. To be fair, not everyone feels the same way.

Skin is visibly snatched and toned after only a few sessions with the MyoLift QT. Apart from the full face treatments, the app provides a step-by-step guide on how to work on various targeted areas like jowls, cheeks, foreheads, and around the eye area. The few minutes spent using the MyoLift QT make skincare routines feel like a pampering spa experience. The 7E Wellness team adds, &#;Microcurrent and Red Light Therapy are a match made in heaven. Both treatments are known to boost regeneration and vitality in the skin. Studies have shown an even greater benefit when they are used together.&#;

WHAT IT DOES: The MyoLift QT strengthens and evens out our facial muscles and connective tissues which minimizes the appearance of wrinkles. It also firms, tones, and contours facial features for a youthful appearance.

Nira Precision Laser For Fine Lines and Wrinkles In Targeted Areas

NIRA Precision Laser

NIRA

Crows' feet and fine lines under the eye area are common pain points of every beauty journey. The jury is still out on whether women should wear signs of aging with pride and grace or take every measure made available by science to reverse time. My beauty philosophy is more about harnessing the power of science to support our body&#;s natural ability to regenerate and rejuvenate. After a short love affair with Botox as a quick and reliable antidote to fine lines, I&#;ve started considering alternatives that don&#;t involve a needle and toxins. NIRA&#;s Precision Laser is a heaven-sent. Its patented laser technology stimulates natural collagen production, plumping, and smoothing skin. The device is built with five comfort levels to ensure results without the pain, redness, or downtime.

WHY IT&#;S WORTH THE INVESTMENT: At $499, the NIRA Precision Laser delivers clinical-grade wrinkle reduction in 90 days. In-office laser treatments average between $750-. Neurotoxin injections are typically priced between $960-1,500, while fillers command a price tag of $3,400 to $6,300.

This FDA-cleared device transmits non-fractional, non ablative laser fluence, warming the dermis to boost collagen production. It is ergonomically designed so that users can easily treat targeted areas around the eyes and mouth, whether at home or on-the-go. Ideal for daily use, it works without having to apply messy applicator gels or primers.

WHAT IT DOES: NIRA&#;s patented laser technology transmits non-fractional, non ablative laser fluence. This warms the dermis to stimulate natural production of collagen. Warming happens just above the point of heat-shock protein (HSP) formation.

DermaFlash Luxe+ For Removal Of Dead Skin Cells And Peach Fuzz

DERMAFLASH Luxe Plus

DERMAFLASH

Facial baby hair or peach fuzz may not be immediately visible, but it can affect the skin&#;s ability to absorb beauty products. Safe and easy removal of peach fuzz can also bring out skin&#;s natural radiance while creating a smooth surface for makeup to glide on. DERMAFLASH LUXE+ uses Sonic Technology to safely and gently exfoliate dead skin cells and remove peach fuzz. It is designed to glide over the surface of skin with ease, effectively shaving off fine baby hairs and dead skin. Unlike razors, DERMAFLASH utilizes Microfine Edges, which allows for precision and comfortable de-fuzzing and de-flaking&#;no nicks or scratches.

WHY IT&#;S WORTH THE INVESTMENT: Used at least once a week, de-fuzzing with DERMAFLASH LUXE+helps you make the most of your skincare routine as it allows for maximum absorption of product. Professional makeup artists like Gabrielle Union and Alexx Mayo have also integrated Dermaflash in their skin prep routine. This speaks to the skin smoothing and radiance boosting benefits that the device delivers&#;to the tune of $199. I love how hair does not grow darker or thicker after using Dermflash.

WHAT IT DOES: DERMAFLASH LUXE+ removes peach fuzz and dead skin cells safely, effectively and with extreme precision, utilizing Sonic technology and a brilliant Microfine Edge design. It&#;s not a razor; it&#;s the extra step in your routine that you&#;ll be happy you took.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Beauty Device.