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 effects of microcurrents. The procedure is not accompanied by trauma and redness of the skin. How is the treatment carried out? Are there any contraindications to therapy? We will answer these questions in the article.
What is this
What is microcurrent treatment? In the description of the procedure, it is reported that this is one of the types of physiotherapy using electricity. Low voltage pulsed currents are applied to the skin. According to 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 on the cellularlevel;
- improve lymph drainage;
- increase the tone of the vascular walls;
- increase the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid;
- improve blood microcirculation;
- normalize the electrical charge in cell membranes.
This procedure is especially useful for age-related skin changes. It helps smooth out wrinkles, eliminate swelling and unevenness. 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, abdomen and buttocks.
Special devices are used for the procedure. 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. Exposure to the skin is carried out using electrodes of various shapes.
Microcurrents have a soft and sparing effect, without causing trauma and pain. They penetrate not only into the deep layers of the skin, but also into muscle tissue, as well as into blood vessels and fiber. Impulses also act on nerve endings.
Before and after photos of the patient can be seen below.
Pros and cons
Patients note many advantages of microcurrent treatment. A cosmetic procedure using electrical impulses has the following advantages:
- no pain or discomfort;
- quick result of the procedure;
- security;
- complex impact;
- compatibility with othersprocedures;
- no 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 a beautician and is quite difficult to do 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;
- flabbiness;
- stretch marks;
- excessive dryness of the epidermis.
Microcurrent therapy is also indicated for the restoration of the skin after plastic surgery. It can also be used to prevent wrinkles.
Contraindications
Not all patients can be recommended therapy using microcurrents. The following diseases and conditions are contraindications to the procedure:
- increased sensitivity to impulse currents;
- the period of gestation and lactation;
- severe diseases of internal organs;
- any disease in the acute stage;
- malignant tumors;
- infectious skin pathologies;
- recent heart attack or stroke;
- mental disorders;
- epilepsy;
- thrombophlebitis;
- presence of implants andpacemakers;
- facelift with gold and platinum threads.
The procedure is not recommended after a recent chemical peel. 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 flabbiness 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 the tissues. This type of microcurrent therapy is used for swelling, bags under the eyes, cellulite.
- Myostimulation. This method consists in relaxing or tensing the muscles with the help of microcurrents. The procedure helps to smooth the skin and is effective for mimic wrinkles.
- Electroporation. This procedure resembles mesotherapy, but instead of a needle with drugs, it uses currents. 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 cleansing of the face using galvanic current and alkaline solutions. The procedure helps to remove the secret of the sebaceous glands and impurities from the pores.
Different types of microcurrent therapy can be used during one session.
Methodholding
Before starting treatment, the specialist examines the patient, identifies contraindications and determines the areas of exposure to microcurrents. The procedure is best done in a cosmetology clinic or salon.
One week before the session, it is necessary to exclude protein foods from the diet. Before the procedure, decorative cosmetics are removed from the face with the help of cleansers. Then a special gel is applied to the skin, which is electrically conductive.
Therapy can be done in the following ways:
- With electrodes. The beautician selects the required current strength and passes the electrode over the patient's skin, making rotational movements. The session lasts about 30 minutes. The skin is then covered with a protective gel or cream.
- With 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 patient's skin.
Most patients do not experience pain when exposed to microcurrents. The procedure may be accompanied by only 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 the current is reduced.
Positive changes can be seen after the first session of microcurrent therapy. 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 anddesired result.
During the period of microcurrent therapy, patients are advised to abstain from alcohol and coffee, as well as to drink plenty of fluids.
Number of sessions
How soon should we expect the effect of the application of microcurrents? How many procedures should 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, skin aging is not yet observed, so the procedures are carried out for the purpose of prevention. Usually prescribed a short course of therapy (3-4 sessions).
- 30-40 years old. Patients show the first signs of age-related skin changes. About 5-6 sessions are needed to improve the condition of the epidermis and prevent the appearance of wrinkles. The procedure is carried out once a week.
- 40-50 years. Age-related skin changes become pronounced. To achieve a rejuvenating effect, 8-10 procedures are required. Sessions are repeated every 3 days.
- Over 50 years old. Patients of 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 required.
The effect after treatment lasts about 6 months. Often cosmetologists recommend fixing therapy. It is carried out 1-1.5 months after the end of the treatment course of microcurrents. How many procedures are needed 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 forlong time.
Possible consequences
The procedure does not cause pain. However, exposure to currents may be accompanied by slight tingling and tingling. Some patients experience a metallic taste in the mouth during the session. When electrodes are applied to the area around the eyes, short-term flashes of light may occur in the field of view.
After the procedure, redness and skin irritation should not appear. Severe discomfort during the session usually occurs when there are contraindications to therapy or with increased sensitivity to impulse currents.
Combination with other procedures
Microcurrent therapy pairs well with the following facial treatments:
- masks with sodium alginate;
- all kinds of skin cleaning;
- hardware rejuvenation according to the "Elos" method;
- plastic surgery.
Microcurrents also enhance the effect of rejuvenating injections. However, therapy with electricity can be carried out no earlier than two weeks after the last injection of mesotherapy preparations.
At home
Today, portable devices for microcurrent treatment are being produced. They are intended for home use. However, experts strongly recommend undergoing treatment in a cosmetology clinic. After all, the procedure requires special skills.
If you decide to conduct microcurrent therapy yourself, you must first consult with a specialist. This will help identify possiblecontraindications to the procedure. You should also carefully study the instructions and rules for using the device. Currently, some beauty centers offer microcurrent therapy training.
It is also very important to purchase a quality device for microcurrent treatment. The following brands of equipment have earned 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 do to achieve significant skin rejuvenation? At home, to achieve the effect usually requires more sessions than in the clinic. The duration of treatment depends on the condition of the epidermis and the age of the patient. The time of exposure to currents at home is about 60 minutes (per session), and to achieve the result, an average of 20-30 procedures are required.
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 1000 to 2500 rubles per session. If it is necessary to treat large areas of the neck, chest or abdomen, then one visit to the beautician will cost about 3000-5000 rubles.
Positive feedback
You can find a lot of positive feedback about the procedure. Microcurrents helped patients to smooth out wrinkles, get rid of nasolabial folds and swelling under the eyes,improve skin color and face shape. The effect is greatly enhanced when microcurrent therapy is combined with peeling and rejuvenating masks. Patients note that a tangible result was noticeable after 1-3 sessions.
Most people did not experience any discomfort while using facial microcurrents. In the reviews of the procedure, it is reported that during the session there was only a slight tingling in the area of impact of the electrodes. Many patients find this procedure even pleasant and compare it with a relaxing massage. Unlike anti-aging injections, microcurrents are gentle and do not cause discomfort.
In most patients, the positive effect after the procedure lasted for about 6 months. After this period, the sessions must be repeated.
Negative reviews
Not all patients benefit from facial microcurrents. In the reviews of the procedure, some women report that even after 8-10 sessions they did not notice any result. This was the reason for stopping therapy.
Usually, such reviews are left by patients over 50 years old. 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 by 10-15 years.
For pronounced age-related skin changes, treatmentmicrocurrents should be used in combination with other methods of rejuvenation. To achieve and consolidate the desired effect, a long course of procedures and supportive therapy is required.
