Microcurrent therapy is one of the most effective methods of skin rejuvenation. It is indicated for patients with age-related changes in the epidermis. Sessions do not cause discomfort, thanks to the soft and gentle effect of microcurrents. The procedure is not accompanied by trauma and redness of the skin. How is the treatment carried out? And are there any contraindications to therapy? We will answer these questions in the article.
What it is
What is microcurrent treatment? The description of the procedure says that this is one of the types of physiotherapy using electricity. Pulse currents of low voltage are applied to the skin. In their characteristics, they are similar to the natural electrical impulses of the human body. In cosmetology, this procedure is used to rejuvenate and improve the condition of the epidermis.
Microcurrents have the following effects on the skin:
- stimulate metabolism at the cellular level;
- improve lymph outflow;
- increase the tone of the vascular walls;
- increase the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid;
- improve blood microcirculation;
- normalize the electric charge in the cell membranes.
This procedure is especially useful for age-related skin changes. It helps to smooth wrinkles, eliminate swelling and bumps. Most often, microcurrents affect the skin of the face. However, such therapy can also be carried out on the body: in the neck and chest, as well as on the arms, stomach and buttocks.
For the procedure, special devices are used. They generate currents with a voltage of 10 - 14 V and a power of 10 - 6000 μA. Their frequency can vary from 0.1 to 300 Hz. The effect on the skin is carried out using electrodes of various shapes.
Microcurrents have a soft and gentle effect, without causing injuries and pain. They penetrate not only into the deeper layers of the skin, but also into muscle tissue, as well as into blood vessels and fiber. Impulses act on nerve endings.
Photos of the patient before and after the course of procedures can be seen below.
Pros and cons
Patients note many of the advantages of microcurrent treatment. The cosmetic procedure using electric pulses has the following advantages:
- lack of pain and discomfort;
- quick result of the procedure;
- security;
- complex impact;
- compatibility with other procedures;
- lack of marks on the skin after the session.
The disadvantages of microcurrent therapy include its rather high cost. This method has many contraindications. This procedure requires regular visits to the beautician, it is quite difficult to carry out at home.
Indications
There is a fairly wide range of indications for the use of microcurrents. The procedure is recommended for the following skin changes:
- wrinkles;
- excessive pigmentation;
- swelling (bags) under the eyes;
- sagging epidermis;
- second chin;
- acne of non-infectious nature;
- scars;
- cellulite;
- sagging;
- stretch marks;
- excessive dryness of the epidermis.
Microcurrent therapy is also indicated for skin restoration after plastic surgery. It can also be used to prevent the appearance of wrinkles.
Contraindications
Not all patients can be recommended therapy using microcurrents. Contraindications to the procedure are the following diseases and conditions:
- increased sensitivity to pulsed currents;
- the period of gestation and lactation;
- severe diseases of the internal organs;
- any disease in the acute stage;
- malignant tumors;
- infectious skin pathologies;
- recent heart attack or stroke;
- mental disorders;
- epilepsy;
- thrombophlebitis;
- the presence of implants and pacemakers;
- face lifting with gold and platinum threads.
The procedure is not recommended after a recent chemical peeling. If the patient has undergone surgery, then microcurrent therapy is possible only six months after the operation.
Types of procedures
Depending on the condition of the skin, the cosmetologist chooses the necessary method of exposure to microcurrents. The procedure can be divided into the following varieties:
- Lifting. It is used to tighten the skin and eliminate sagging and wrinkles. Lifting is recommended for age-related changes in the epidermis.
- Lymphatic drainage. Helps to get rid of the accumulation of excess fluid in tissues. This type of microcurrent therapy is used for edema, bags under the eyes, cellulite.
- Miostimulation. This method consists in relaxing or tensioning the muscles with microcurrents. The procedure helps smooth the skin and is effective for facial wrinkles.
- Electroporation This procedure is reminiscent of mesotherapy, but currents are used instead of a needle with drugs. Electricity normalizes ion exchange in the epidermis. As a result, wrinkles are gradually smoothed out, and scars, acne and pigmentation disappear.
- Disincrustation. This is a deep facial cleansing using galvanic current and alkaline solutions. The procedure helps to remove the secretion of sebaceous glands and contamination from the pores.
During one session, different types of microcurrent therapy can be used.
Methodology
Before starting treatment, a specialist examines the patient, identifies contraindications and determines the areas of microcurrent exposure. The procedure is best performed in a cosmetology clinic or salon.
A week before the session, protein food should be excluded from the diet. Before the procedure, decorative cosmetics are removed from the face with cleansers. Then a special gel is applied to the skin, which has electrical conductivity.
Therapy can be carried out in the following ways:
- Using electrodes. The cosmetologist selects the necessary amperage and conducts an electrode over the patient’s skin, making rotational movements. The session lasts about 30 minutes. Then the skin is covered with a protective gel or cream.
- With the help of electric gloves. Before starting the procedure, first a thermal mask is applied to the face, and then a special film. The beautician puts on gloves with built-in electrodes and massages the skin of the patient.
Most patients do not experience soreness when exposed to microcurrents. The procedure can only be followed by a slight tingling. If during the session there is a pronounced discomfort, then it is necessary to inform the cosmetologist about this. Unpleasant sensations usually disappear after a decrease in amperage.
Positive changes can be noticed after the first treatment session using microcurrents. The course of procedures should be completed in full, this is necessary to consolidate the effect. The duration of treatment depends on the condition of the skin, the purpose of therapy and the desired result.
During the microcurrent therapy, patients are advised to refrain from alcohol and coffee, as well as drink plenty of fluids.
Number of sessions
How soon should the effect of the application of microcurrents be expected? How many procedures must be done to achieve the desired result? The required number of sessions depends on the age of the patient:
- Up to 30 years. At this age, aging of the skin is not yet noted, so the procedures are carried out with the aim of prevention. Usually prescribed a short course of therapy (3-4 sessions).
- 30-40 years old. Patients appear the first signs of age-related skin changes. To improve the condition of the epidermis and prevent the appearance of wrinkles, about 5-6 sessions are necessary. The procedure is carried out 1 time per week.
- 40-50 years old. Age-related skin changes become pronounced. To achieve the anti-aging effect, 8-10 procedures are necessary. Sessions are repeated every 3 days.
- Older than 50 years. Patients in the older age group require intensive microcurrent therapy. Procedures are carried out in 1-2 days. To improve the condition of the epidermis, at least 10-12 sessions are necessary.
The effect after treatment persists for about 6 months. Beauticians often recommend fixative therapy. It is carried out 1-1.5 months after the end of the treatment course of microcurrents. How many procedures must be completed to consolidate the effect? Usually no more than 1-2 sessions are required. This is enough to ensure that the result of therapy is maintained for a long time.
Possible consequences
The procedure does not cause pain. However, exposure to currents may be accompanied by a slight tingling and tingling sensation. In some patients during the session there is a smack of metal in the mouth. When exposed to electrodes around the eyes, short-term flashes of light may occur in the field of view.
After the procedure, redness and irritation of the skin should not appear. Severe discomfort during the session usually occurs when there are contraindications to therapy or with increased sensitivity to pulsed currents.
Combination with other procedures
Microcurrent therapy is well combined with the following types of facial procedures:
- masks with sodium alginate;
- all types of skin cleansing;
- hardware rejuvenation according to the Elos technique;
- plastic surgery.
Microcurrents also enhance the effect of anti-aging injections. However, therapy with electricity can be carried out no earlier than two weeks after the last injection of drugs for mesotherapy.
At home
Nowadays, portable devices for the treatment of microcurrents are produced. They are intended for home use. However, experts strongly recommend treatment in a cosmetology clinic. After all, carrying out the procedure requires special skills.
If you decide to conduct microcurrent therapy yourself, you must first consult with a specialist. This will help identify possible contraindications to the procedure. You should also carefully study the instructions and rules for using the device. Currently, some cosmetology centers offer a course of microcurrent therapy.
It is also important to purchase a high-quality apparatus for treating microcurrents. The following equipment brands deserved positive feedback from patients:
- Ionic-Ultratonic m365 Gezatone;
- Bio Wave m920 Gezatone;
- NuFACE.
It is important to remember that portable devices generate rather weak microcurrents. How many procedures do you need to achieve significant skin rejuvenation? At home, to achieve the effect usually requires a larger number of sessions than in the clinic. The duration of treatment depends on the state of the epidermis and the age of the patient. The exposure time of currents at home is about 60 minutes (in one session), and on average 20-30 procedures are required to achieve the result.
Cost
The price of the procedure depends on its complexity, the area of the treatment area, as well as on the drugs used. Microcurrent facial therapy costs an average of 1,000 to 2,500 rubles per session. If it is necessary to process large areas of the neck, chest or abdomen, then one visit to a cosmetologist will cost about 3000-5000 rubles.
Positive reviews
You can find many positive reviews about the procedure. Microcurrents helped patients smooth out wrinkles, get rid of nasolabial folds and swelling under the eyes, improve skin color and the shape of the face oval. The effect is greatly enhanced by the combination of microcurrent therapy with peeling and anti-aging masks. Patients note that a tangible result was noticeable after 1-3 sessions.
Most people did not experience any unpleasant sensations during the application of microcurrents to the face. In the reviews of the procedure, it was reported that during the session there was only a slight tingling in the area of influence of the electrodes. Many patients find this procedure even pleasant and compare it with a relaxing massage. Unlike anti-aging injections, microcurrents act gently and do not cause discomfort.
In most patients, the positive effect after the procedure lasted about 6 months. After this period, the sessions must be repeated.
Negative reviews
The use of microcurrents for the face did not help all patients. In the reviews of the procedure, some women report that even after 8-10 sessions, they did not noticeably have any result. This caused the cessation of therapy.
Typically, such reviews are left by patients older than 50 years. At this age, skin changes can be very pronounced, and it is often not possible to eliminate them with microcurrents. Experts believe that the impact of pulsed currents can not always serve as an alternative to plastic surgery and mesotherapy. The procedure improves the condition of the epidermis, but it is not able to rejuvenate the skin for 10-15 years.
With pronounced age-related skin changes, microcurrent treatment should be used in combination with other methods of rejuvenation. To achieve and consolidate the desired effect, a long course of procedures and maintenance therapy are required.