Everything you Need to Know About Microcurrent from Celebrity Facialist Shani Darden

If you’ve never heard of using ‘microcurrents’ in skincare before, it probably sounds a lot scarier than it actually is.

Within the last year or so, ‘Microcurrent Treatments’ have been a major trend in the beauty industry but what exactly is it? Can you do it at home? Does it hurt? How often should you do it?

I decided to call on one of my dear friends, and wonderfully talented esthetician to the stars Shani Darden to help answer some of your most asked questions around microcurrents and a few of mine, too!

Q: For someone who is new to beauty or has a very minimal routine, please explain what microcurrents are and what they can do for your face and body.

Shani: Microcurrent uses low-level electrical current to tone, tighten, and lift the muscles. It’s essentially exercise for your facial muscles. It will retrain your facial muscles to stay in a more lifted position, so it’s a really incredible treatment for keeping skin looking youthful.

Q: Who can use microcurrents? Is there an age that’s too early to start?

A: Microcurrent is great as a preventative treatment. If you start it in your 20s before your face starts to drop, it can help keep everything lifted.

Q: How can you incorporate microcurrents into your daily routine?

A: If you’re using an at-home device like NuFace Trinity Pro, it’s really easy to incorporate into your routine! Start with clean skin, apply the conductive gel, and follow the movements recommended. It’s a super easy treatment that can be done in 5 minutes. 

Q: How often can you do it?

A: It’s best to do professional treatments in a series. Every other week is ideal. For at home devices, you can do it more frequently.

Q: Explain why microcurrent treatments work? How long do the effects of it last?

A: The low level electrical current increases production of ATP which is the energy that powers cellular turnover. Cellular turnover boosts collagen and elastin. Microcurrent helps re-educate the facial muscles to stay lifted and toned and it also increases circulation. The results can be seen immediately. It’s best to receive a microcurrent treatment every 4 weeks for maintenance.

Q: What’s the difference between getting a professional microcurrent treatment vs. at home with say, a nuFACE device?

A: At home treatment devices like NuFace Trinity Pro are definitely effective, I’m a huge fan. A professional microcurrent treatment will definitely provide a deeper, more powerful treatment than you’re able to get at home.

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Q: Does it really lift your face? If so, for how long? Is it a permanent lift?

A: Yes! You can see the lifting effects immediately. It’s not permanent, but if done consistently, the results will last longer.

Q: Is it painless?

A: Yes! Microcurrent is an amazing, non-invasive treatment. You can definitely feel it working, especially during a professional treatment, but it’s not painful. It can feel a little funny and everyone has a different level of tolerance, but it’s not something that hurts at all.

Q: Does it boost collagen?

A: Yes, microcurrent not only retrains your muscles, but it also works at a cellular level to boost collagen for firmer skin. This can help to minimize fine lines and wrinkles.

Q: How does it reverse signs of aging?

A: As we age, collagen production and cellular turnover slow down. Microcurrent helps to reverse that process by increasing cellular turnover and boosting collagen for more lifted, youthful skin.

Q: Can it contour your face?

A: Definitely! Microcurrent will help to lift and sculpt the cheekbones and jawline.

Q: Shani, what are the top 3 beauty items you can’t live without!

Retinol Reform – my absolute favorite product to boost collagen in the skin, minimize fine lines and wrinkles, reduce hyperpigmentation, and promote blemish-free skin. It features lactic acid for immediate brightening benefits and retinol for longer-term benefits. I can’t live without it and use it almost every single night!

Deesse Mask – LED Light Therapy is another one of my favorite treatments for aging in reverse. Red LED light will help to boost collagen in the skin which minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and increases circulation to give you an amazing glow. Blue LED light can help to kill acne-causing bacteria to clear up existing breakouts and prevent new ones from forming.

Supergoop Everyday Sunscreen – Wearing sunscreen every single day is the absolute most important thing you can do to keep skin youthful and healthy. Supergoop’s Everyday Sunscreen is lightly hydrating so it can double as your daily moisturizer, yet it doesn’t cause congestion.

Q: Can you explain the microcurrent gloves that you use during your treatments? What they do and the effects of using them?

A: Microcurrent gloves have metal threads throughout and allow for a more equally distributed treatment. I really love them because you can incorporate more of a facial massage for a deeper treatment.

So are you ready to jump on the microcurrent bandwagon yet? Drop a comment down below and let me know if you’ve had any experience with microcurrents! I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Another huge THANK YOU to Shani for breaking down all things microcurrents!

Photography by Karla Ticas
Location: Proper Hotel Santa Monica