Microcurrent is a non-invasive treatment, making these tools safe (and easy) to use at home. That is, of course, if you’re using a high-quality, FDA-cleared device like the NuFACE. 

Often referred to as a “workout” for your skin, microcurrent uses tiny electrical pulses to stimulate the facial muscles with each use. Celebrity esthetician Shani Darden previously told mindbodygreen this helps to “improve the facial contour, tone the skin, and reduce wrinkles.”

Basically, microcurrent triggers your skin fascial muscles to act younger through the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Our bodies use ATP to create more collagen and elastin, which unfortunately decline with age. When we apply microcurrent, it stimulates the muscles to enhance ATP production, and therefore produce more collagen and elastin.

Because of its sculpting effects, microcurrent is a favored treatment for those concerned about aging or sagging skin—but people of all ages swear by the results. Research is still limited, but one clinical study in 30 women under the age of 45 found resulted in improved skin appearance and reduced wrinkle depth after 30 consecutive 20-minute sessions.

In a NuFACE-specific clinical trial, 85% of users experienced improved facial contour and 80% said their skin felt smoother after using the device for just five minutes per day for 60 days.

Rescue Spa founder Danuta Mieloch doubles down the benefits of microcurrent, telling mbg, “It assists in better penetration of products, improves facial contour, softens wrinkles—it is literally a workout for your skin and the muscles of the face. It helps you get that natural noninvasive lift that clients keep coming back for.”