What is Microcurrent?
A microcurrent is an ultra-low-voltage electrical current. The “micro” currents that are emitted from the device are so low that they don’t even contract the muscle. It has been estimated that it would take one million microcurrents to power a 40-watt light bulb. This demonstrates how gentle a microcurrent facial would be. But with such low energetic output, how beneficial can a microcurrent facial be? Extremely, according to studies.
How Microcurrent Facials Work
The purpose of applying microcurrent energy to the skin is actually not about the skin at all, it’s about the muscle. When low-dose electricity is used, it penetrates the epidermis and affects change in the dermis. Treatment can reduce puffiness, tone the muscles, and decrease the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Microcurrent has been used to treat muscular disorders and has also demonstrated the capacity to promote healing from acne and rosacea.
Muscle Re-Education
Microcurrent facials reduce the signs of aging by stimulating collagen and elastin production. Studies indicate that collagen increases up to 14% and elastin by 48%. Additionally, treatment increases circulation by 38%. But that’s just the beginning. The magic of microcurrent is in the mechanism of muscle re-education.
Muscle re-education is the concept on which therapeutic microcurrent is based. This therapy originated before the 1900s and has consistently achieved good results in re-educating muscle affected by disorders such as Bell’s Palsy. To re-educate muscles in the face is to tone the tissue that is critical to youthfulness. Treatment does not do so by causing muscle contractions, as one may imagine. What microcurrent does is lengthen and shorten muscles in a controlled manner.
A trained microcurrent provider can “pick up” a particular muscle and hold it in place. Just a few seconds is all it takes for the muscle fibers to stretch or contract as desired. When held, the muscle is stimulated to attract and hold Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). With repeat treatments, this nucleotide accumulates in the muscle, aiding in regeneration and long-term tone.
Microcurrent Treatment Areas
Microcurrent facials can:
- Improve the tone and contour of the neck and jawline
- Lift the eyebrows and jowls
- Remove accumulated lymph fluid from the face
- Improve blood circulation for a glowing complexion
- Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Contact the med spa in our Reno office at (775) 826-4477 to learn more about microcurrent facials.