Is it possible to get any benefit from Caci facials?

Question

Or other similar treatments or are they a waste of time? Furthermore are there any potential adverse side effects?

Andrew Campbell, MD · Answer

CACI facials are a form of microcurrent treatment. They claim to tighten muscles and lift the face. The real problem is that muscles don't necessarily lengthen as we age, so "tightening" them isn't the answer to an aging face. If so, we as facial plastic surgeons would be tightening these muscles surgically. The only muscle we ever "tighten" is the platysma muscle, and we only do that to create a sling that lifts the neck. A CACI facial isn't going to give any long term improvement. There are other technologies (like Ultherapy or a Halo laser) that will give you visible improvements that last.Andrew Campbell, M.D.

Facial Plastic Specialist

Quintessa Aesthetic Centers

Facial Plastic Specialist

Quintessa Aesthetic Centers

Sophie Shotter, MBChB BSc(Hons), MBCAM · Answer

Thank you for your excellent question - this is a conversation I have with many patients. Caci facials fall under the beauty remit rather than offering clinical grade benefits. Using microcurrents, Caci stimulates muscle contraction. People do see an immediate change, but this is always temporary and offers no lasting benefit. 
My advice would be to invest in Ultherapy or in clinical grade radiofrequency treatment like Venus Concept. These treatments both have published research showing that they stimulate collagen production. The difference between the two is that they target different layers of the face. Our body stops producing collagen around the age of 25, so enhancing your body's levels of collagen is a great way of fending off the ageing process.
I hope this helps! Kind regards, Dr Sop;hie

Walton Montegut, MD · Answer

There is clinical evidence CACI works. A study at the University of Washington showed microcurrents can increase elastin by 45%, collagen by 10% and the number of blood vessels by 35%. Elastin and collagen are what keep your skin plump and firm, and good blood flow will give you a glow.

Lily Lee, MD · Answer

As far as I can tell, a CACI facial will not do anymore than moving your facial muscles around as part of daily life. The microcurrent is supposed to be like a "workout" for your facial muscles. Unless you have some type of facial palsy, regular day to day activities of chewing, blinking and talking should suffice. The microcurrent not tighten up collagen or elastin fibrils which are in the skin. I don't think there is anything harmful about a CACI facial, I just don't think you will get any visible results from it.

Is it possible to get any benefit from Caci facials?

Answers (4)

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