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Facial Microcurrent: Do They Work Like a Facelift?

Also, how long after Juvederm injections (on my cheeks and nasolabial folds) do I have to wait before I can have a Microcurrent Facelift?

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alternative microcurrent non surgical

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33 Doctor Answers | Asked by peepsey13 in new york

Doctor Answers (33)
Community Comments (3)

Does "microcurrent facelift" work?

I doubt that you will find a definitive answer to this, because it probably hasn't been studied to know how this combination affects the filler. Without data from studies, you won't really know. For that matter, it is fair to ask whether such a thing as "microcurrent facelift" actually works; there don't seem to be many scientific studies (if any) supporting that concept. Laser skin tightening or Thermage, on the other hand, have been thoroughly evaluated.

Facial Microcurrent Has A Very Different Mechanism Than Facelift.

Facial microcurrent treatments are very different from a facelift, and the results are not yet established. The theory is that electrical stimulation using very small currents will rejuvenate the skin. This is based on the observation that all cells have a resting electrical charge and electrical current or low-dose ultrasound can stimulate cells. Research data suggests that electrical current can promote healing of soft tissue and bones. The effect current has on tightening tissue has... more

Microcurrent treatment is not even close to a Facelift

I wouldn't recommend a micro current procedure, because it really does not work. However, if you are determined to proceed, I would recommend having it done prior to having fillers. If you have already had your filler procedures, I would recommend waiting 1-2 weeks before proceding with the microcurrent procedure.

Don't Spend Money On Snake Oil

There has been a fair amount of work done with both microcurrent electrical stimulation and magnetic field stimulation on wound healing. Microcurrents, on the order of 1mA-3mA (milli Amps) have been shown to decrease healing time of open wounds by significant amounts. Typically the wounds were treated with alternating polarity (+/-) for one hour/day for weeks to months. So I think there is great potential for the use of electrical stimulation in wound healing. As far has for face... more

Facial microcurrents

The principle of a microcurrent is to stimulate the face for tightening the collagen stuctures with cell stimulation. This procedure has not been studied with peer review that I would support. In my past, there have always been non surgical alternatives to facelift surgery. None of these have been demonstrated to benefit the patient on a long term basis.Fillers do work, and ask your surgeon when you can have them injected. All the best

Facelift vs microcurrent

Peepsey, I'd love to tell you that applying an electrical charge to your facial skin will give you results even remotely approach a true facelift but if it did I'd be doing it here at my NJ facial plastic surgery practice and so would every other board certified facial plastic surgeon I know. I don't offer it because (A) it hasn't been proven in studies to work and (B) I want my patients to get predictable results for the money they spend at my Teaneck plastic surgery office. I don't... more

There is No Data to Suggest that Microcurrent Treatments Affect Juvederm Injections

Facial microcurrent procedures are a relatively recent development. This technology was originally used to accelerate wound healing. Recently it has been applied to loose saggy skin in hopes of tightening that skin. Unfortunately, most of the available scientific data is related to wound healing and not facial aging. The procedure is not comparable to a facelift. Microcurrent procedures appear to work by causing collagen fibers to contract. This results in... more

Microcurrent Facelifts Do Not Give Facelift Results

A microcurrent facelift does not address the aging process of the deeper tissues - muscle, SMAS,etc. Various version of the microcurrent facelift have been around for years, but have not diminshed the need for cosmetic facial surgery. Microcurrent facelifts are sexy sounding because they are marketed as an non-invasive alternative to achieve results approaching that of facial surgery. Unfortunately, people have paid good money for their microcurrent... more

Microcurrent face lift

Thank you for your question about Juvederm and Microcurrent Facelifts. Have the 'face lift' before the Juvederm injection, the weak electric currents may make the Juvederm absorb faster, there is no evidence that a "Microcurrent Face Lift" has any face lift effect. It is a spa treatment and these usually give limited improvement, But that may be what you are looking for. Hope all goes well. If you want a face lift result, may I suggest you... more

A facelift is a facelift

A facelift is a surgical procedure that involves lifting the skin of the face (cheek) and neck and pulling it backward and upward around the ear and then excising the excess skin. NOTHING other than a facelift can do this. But, there are a lot of alternatives to a facelift that can rejuvenate the skin without having to go under the knife. They each have their advantages and disadvantages, such as a microcurrent, fillers, botox, Pelleve, Ultherapy, etc. There is a place for... more

Facial Microcurrent. Does it Work Like a Facelift?

Actually, nothing works like a facelift. Various modalities like heat, ultrasound, radiofrequency or microcurrent achieve a small skin tightening due to the ability of heat to stimulate collagen contraction. Even a fully ablative CO2 laser cannot achieve the results of a surgical facelift and that is far more powerful than microcurrent. Younger people may get more benefit from these non-surgical modalities, but when you have a half inch or more of skin laxity to pinch up in front of... more

Facelift alternatives

It is very important to do your research before you undergo any facial treatment, but particularly one that promises "face lift" results without surgery. The data regarding micro current treatment is not yet established. In my practice, I utilize Ultherapy but I make sure each patient I treat understands that the results from this non-invasive treatment are as complete as you would expect with a true surgical face lift. Education is your best friend- make sure you have extensive... more

Facial Microcurrent: Do They Work Like a Facelift?

Although some research has shown the ability to heal wounds with microcurrent, ultrasound, and LASER, I do not think there is sufficient evidence that microcurrent technology will replace the surgical facelift. The surgical facelift involves tightening the platysma as a neck sling and an actual mechanical lifting using the SMAS layer. This combination gives a tight neck and a real rejuvenation to the face.

Facial Microcurrent: Do They Work Like a Facelift?

While microcurrent facial devices do seem to tighten the skin, they do not and should not be expected to perform the same function as a Face Lift. The Face Lift, when performed preoperly, effects multiple tissue layers, not just the skin. A Face Lift tightens the SMAS muscle layer, eliminates and shapes excess facial fat and finally trims and removes excess skin. The newer, less invasive versions like our "Celebrity Face Lift" use small incisions with a rapid recovery... more

Juvederm, Facelift, Microcurrent and other Potions Lotions and Myths

There are no worthwhile studies on microcurrent nor micro current and Juvederm. I have consulted with many patients who unfortunately wasted money on microcurrent treatments and other "home shopping type" procedures performed in salons with little if any results. Microcurrent treatments do not have the scientific data and results behind them like Exilis and Thermage. These two procedures can give effective results. While a surgical facelift will give the best results,... more

Facial Microcurrent: Do They Work Like a Facelift?

I do not think facial electrical microcurrent can effectively treat the aging face. Either you need a facelift or you don’t. If you have the signs of aging including loss of facial volume, drooping jowls, drooping neck, and wrinkles then you need to see a Plastic Surgeon. A Plastic Surgeon can assess your need for the proper procedure that would best treat your face. It may be a facelift and/or necklift with fat grafting to areas of low volume.

Facial Microcurrent: Do They Work Like a Facelift?

You are really asking two questions. No one knows how juvederm will be affected so you might want to do it after the microcurrent facelift. As to how long the microcurrent facelift lasts - it causes minute muscle contractions and will work for as long as you have the microcurrent turned on. It also causes wounds to heal a little faster, but then you won't have a wound to heal so not much benefit there. Of course your money will be gone forever.

Microcurrent is not the equivalent of a facelift

One of these days, I am going to read about a diet based facelift. Thermage and other skin tightening procedures involving electrical stimulation are not the equivalent of surgery and can produce only limited improvement. I would suggest having filler first and then assessing the results before making any additional decisions.

Microcurrent facelift?

Boy, this sounds like a gimmick. Anything that offers a microcurrent is NOT a facelift and should not be remotely thought of as a facelift alternative. It is marketing and it is hype and it is doubtful that you will be happy with the results!

Lawrence Kass, MD

31 reviews

Saint Petersburg Oculoplastic Surgeon

www.kassmd.com

Micro-Current Facelift - When to Do It?

Or should you do it at all? I am not a micro-current expert but I doubt that you will find experienced facelift surgeons offering this treatment. And most likely, you will not find conclusive scientific studies about micro-current "facelifts". Attaching the word "facelift" to microcurrent is misleading. If you are looking for non-invasive and effective facial tightening, look up Ultherapy within RealSelf. Even this FDA-approved and effective non-surgical... more

Microcurrents are not a Face lift

Do not be fooled about Micro-currents, this technique can not and will not lift and reposition the facial tissues. Some mild tightening may occur and if that's all its being sold as then proceed with caution. We all embrace these new gadgets with guarded skepticism , we have our gold standards that we know will work in our hands. A traditional face lift will not be replaced by a Micro-currents face lift. Check out your provider very carefully, since this technology is fairly... more

Facial Microcurrent: Do They Work Like a Facelift?

Nothing short of a facelift will work like a facelift! Dont be oversold on facial microcurrent if you are looking for facelift results!

Facelift vs microcurrent

A facelift is the procedure of choice to make permanent and extensive changes in the face for rejuvenation. Microcurrent therapy has some benefits, however modest. It can improve skin tone and slightly change the shape of the structures. It can easily be oversold. Buyer beware. All the best, Tal Raine MD FACS

Talmage J. Raine, MD

5 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Facial Microcurrent

Facial microcurrent has never in a controlled study been shown to reverse the effects of aging. The reason that ones face gets an aged appearance as a person gets older, is due to many factors. These include genetic predisposition, sun exposure and cigarette smoking to name a few. As one ages the bony skeleton of the face changes, as does the facial volume secondary to decrease in fat volume. The fascia and supporting connective tissue loses some of its elasticity, so exposing the skin... more

Microcurent not a substitute for facelifting

Remember facial exercises! This anti aging technique was popularized to help maintain youth. The problem was that since the muscles of facial expression insert into the skin, every time the muscles got a work out, the skin creased and eventually developed a wrinkle. The newer version of trying to maintain muscle tone is to deliver micro current.. The procedure will probably have no effect on the filler. If a person has medical problems that keep them from having a surgical procedure,... more

Microcurrent results will not be comparable to a facelift

Microcurrent treatments will not yield results simular to that of a facelift because the energy applied will not result in elevation of the structural components of the face - namely fascia, muscles and fat. Only the very superficial layer of skin and dermis would have any response to microcurrent and I suspect that would be modest at best.

Microcurrent and Fillers

Microcurrent will provide little benefit but may cause fillers to absorb faster than ideal. Receive microcurrent first, fillers after.

Facial Microcurrent Is Not A Facelift

Unfortunately, as in most advertising, the hype does not live up to the reality. Microcurrent has been tested and shown to help with wound healing but there is nothing in the medical literature about microcurrent reversing the signs of aging. As most of the physicians have pointed out, there is also no evidence about the interaction of Juvederm and microcurrent. I would suggest doing the microcurrent before any injections just to be safe.

D.J. Verret, MD

3 reviews

Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon

innovationsfps.com

Microcurrent facelift is a misnomer

A microcurrent procedure really doesn't act like a facelift. The changes will be very subtle, if there are any at all. If you need a facelift, it can be properly done by a qualified surgeon and not leave an operated look. Check my photos on this site.

You can get a Microcurrent Face Lift 1 week after Restylane or Juvederm

Although I do not think that there is much change with micro current face lift procedures, I do think that the filler injection you had are settled and that there will be little change in the Restylane/Juvederm Injection you have. I would tell you to monitor your progress with these micro-current procedures because I have seen a lot of patients spend a lot of money with no result from this procedure. They see em to do a procedure after sending thousands of dollars on thing that do not... more

Microcurrent facial machines don't work

None of the noninvasive treatments to the skin will ever approach the results of a surgical facelift. I have no experience with a Microcurrent device, but do have considerable experience with a Thermage unit which is considered the Gold standard of these devices (I have no financial investments in any of these companies). With the Thermage, we see benefit in most patients with some skin tightening, but much less than a facelift. The thin skin of the eyelids respond better than the thick... more

Don't expect much from a "Microcurrent" facelift

Peepsey13, I do not believe that there are any studies looking at the time between a "Microcurrent" facelift and a the injection of Juvederm. However, I would suggest at least 2 weeks to allow the swelling from the injections to settle if they are applying the "Microcurrent" in the same areas that were injected. Also, don't expect much from the "Microcurrent" facelift. If you are in need of a facelift, then that is what you should have. In researching this... more

My concern would be possible break-down of Juvederm by the current.

If you have the option, I would suggest having the microcurrent procedure before Juvederm injections. I am not aware of any studies on the subject, but the microcurrent might otherwise promote break-down of the Juvederm filler.

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Comments (3)

9941anon 31 Oct 2012

I have a Nu Face microcurrent device and I LOVE it. It DOES work, though I am under 40 and I can imagine that if I had extensive sagging I might want to get a facelift instead. I was getting noticeably jowly (my nice heart-shaped face had gone rectangular) and my neck was getting some sag rings around it and my Nu Face reversed it within three treatments, at home, just 5 minutes per treatment. I love it. I'm sure plastic surgeons are scared about how well it works, but they shouldn't be. You can't hold off aging forever, so I'll probably get a facelift eventually, but it will be ten years later than I would have done it without my Nu Face. I also recommend chemical peels for stimulating collagen, and using red LED therapy (but NOT lasers! no IPL, it dissolves your fat and makes you look older.)

Kristen Wilson 7 Sep 2012

Learning about what a microcurrent facial is before getting one is the best thing to do! Best of Luck to you :)

Mitsouko 25 Jul 2012

Wow, if you are a hammer, everything looks like a nail. In other words, if you are a surgeon, of course you think someone should get surgery over another technique. Kind of like when you want to know if certain medical treatments work or what the side effects are, sometimes you are better asking an experienced nurse who can give you the real answer over a doctor who will give you a legally acceptable answer so as not to get sued.

Microcurrent facial does not replace facelift and it is not permanent. It does need to be maintained once a month and has its limitations. That said, it can certainly be a good alternative if you are squeamish about an actual facelift. It does work well with fillers.

This is one of those situations where you are better off to call a good esty in a good spa and ask the question as they do these all the time on people with fillers.

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