Instant results.

That’s the magic word when you first enter the skincare world. Who hasn’t been tempted by a miracle cream promising to erase wrinkles or a spot treatment that claims to vanish blemishes overnight? 

Enter microcurrent devices.

They look and feel like they’re doing something, with metal probes and an electric current. “Look - this side is already more lifted,” says the influencer on your feed, pointing to her brow after holding it up with her device.    

But is it science… or snake oil?

Let’s find out.

What is Microcurrent and How Does it Work?

Microcurrent Basics

Microcurrent uses low-level electrical currents (under 1000 microamps) that mimic the currents found in our own body. These treatments should be sub-sensory - meaning you shouldn’t feel the current or see muscle twitching. They follow the principles of electrical circuit theory and fall under the broader field of electrotherapy, which also includes EMS and TENS.

Electrical Circuit 101

Every circuit requires:

• A power source (the device)
  
  

• A conductor ( the probes and your body)
  
  

• A load (your tissue, which resists current and converts energy into what will act as a biological stimulus)
  
  

Electricity won’t flow without a closed circuit. And because electricity will take the path of least resistance, it’s important to know where that electricity will flow.

Science Tidbit: If you touch a downed power line and your feet are on the ground, you have created a voltage difference. The current has high voltage, the ground is 0, and your body is somewhere in between… and you’ve just placed yourself in serious danger. Where if you’re not in contact with the ground, there is no voltage difference and your body isn’t the easier path.

Microcurrent uses low level currents so we don’t need to worry about safety but this can make getting into the skin tricky. The skin surface lacks water and living cells, offering 99% of the body’s resistance to the flow of electrical current. That’s why hydration and conductive gel are essential to allow current to pass into deeper tissues.

Principles Behind Electricity

Electrical circuits are governed by universal laws:

• Ohm’s Law describes the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance. Increasing only resistance will decrease the flow of current while increasing only voltage will increase the flow.

• The Arendt-Schultz Law states that “weak electrical stimuli increase physiological activities while strong electrical stimuli inhibit them.”

Microcurrent therapy is a delicate dance between using a low enough current to create the necessary stimulus and mimic the electrical signals in our body while also overcoming the skin barrier.

How the Current Flows

• Devices like wands or masks form a circuit by passing current between the active probe and a grounding point (like the end of the wand in your hand or a pad placed on your neck).
  
  

• There isn’t just a 2D current flowing between the two probes and the gel on the skin surface, there’s an electrical field that extends into the tissue and helps the current cross the skin barrier and into the conductive living tissues.

Microcurrent Specifications

When comparing devices, here are the key terms to know:

• Amperes: Unit of electrical current. Microcurrent is measured in microamps (µA).
  
  

• Voltage: The force driving the current. More voltage = more current (unless resistance is high).
  
  

• Waveform: Describes how the current behaves:
  
  

  • Amplitude: Height of the wave.
    
    

  • Duty cycle: How long the current is “on” during each cycle.
    
    

  • Frequency: Number of wave cycles per second (Hertz).
    
    

  • Direction: Monophasic (one-way flow) vs. biphasic (alternating flow).

Unfortunately, there’s no universal specification for what works best. Studies often fail to disclose the exact settings used or vary greatly in what is used. Much of what is recommended for cosmetic applications is based on decades old information from when microcurrent was just beginning.

A Look Back: Microcurrent History vs Today

Origins

Microcurrent therapy was developed in the 1970s by Dr. Thomas Wing, a naturopath, chiropractor, and acupuncturist. His original device, the Accu-O-Matic, aimed to replicate acupuncture without needles. Over time, he pivoted toward muscle re-education and tissue healing to appeal to a broader medical audience and avoid regulations around drugs.

The method was later influenced by Dr. George Goodheart, the founder of applied kinesiology, who theorized that stimulating the origin and insertion of a muscle could alter its tone by acting on Golgi tendon organs (GTOs). Dr. Wing incorporated this idea into microcurrent therapy.

Where It Stands Today

Microcurrent faded from mainstream attention until the launch of NuFACE in 2005, which brought the treatment to home users. Since then, it’s gained traction, with devices like the ZIIP Halo, Foreo Bear, and Myolift QT entering the market. Multi-modality devices like the MediCube Age-R Booster Pro also now include microcurrent.

But much of the current technique and education still draw from 50-year-old concepts. So, how much of what’s being claimed still holds up to modern scrutiny?

Breaking Down the Claims

Claim 1: Microcurrent Improves Muscle Tone and Lifts the Face

Unlikely.

Consumer devices typically glide across the skin in random directions, not following Dr. Wing’s method of targeting tendinous attachments. Even when proper technique is used, the underlying GTO theory has been largely debunked - passive stimulation doesn’t activate GTOs the way actual muscle contraction does.

But more importantly, muscles aren’t the main culprit behind facial sagging. Aging-related changes like:

• Bone resorption,
  
  

• Fat pad atrophy,
  
  

• Skin thinning,
  
  

…are what lead to jowls, folds, and hollows - not weak muscles.

In fact, repetitive muscle movements actually contribute to dynamic wrinkles. And rather than weakening, facial muscles exert more force on the skin they attach to as a result of decreasing skin integrity offering less resistance.

Claim 2: Microcurrent Helps Products Penetrate the Skin

True - with limitations.

Microcurrent can enhance transdermal delivery of charged, water-soluble molecules like vitamin C, some peptides, and even niacinamide to some extent. This process is called iontophoresis, and it works best with monophasic current.

Claim 3: Microcurrent Improves Wound Healing

Very likely.

Studies suggest microcurrent can:

• Increase blood flow to the site
  
  

• Reduce inflammation
  
  

• Support all stages of the wound-healing process
  
  

Specifications vary but low-level current has shown potential here. Much of the research is on animals or in vitro, meaning we need more studies on humans that are well designed with controls.

Claim 4: Microcurrent Increases ATP and Collagen Production

Debatable.

Microcurrent is said to increase ATP production, giving cells more energy for repair and regeneration. This comes from early research (mostly on rats or isolated cells) showing ATP increases at currents below 1000 µA, with inhibition above that.

In humans, we don’t have any evidence that I could find suggesting microcurrent boosts ATP in skin. It’s just one of the better theories on why microcurrent works and has beneficial effects.

PS. Wondering what ATP is? Adenosine triphosphate is often called the “energy currency of the cell.” When cells need energy to power different processes, ATP is hydrolyzed into ADP, phosphate, and energy. That previously stored energy can now be used.

Claim 5: Microcurrent Aids Lymphatic Drainage, Reducing Puffiness in the Face

Not supported.

The best available science suggests that lymphatic drainage massage may benefit lymphedema, a condition where swelling occurs due to the lymphatic system not moving fluid effectively. Some additional studies have looked at lymphatic drainage for helping patients recover from surgery and for muscle recovery. There are limitations with even this research and often other therapies were just as effective. 

At this time, there isn’t anything to suggest that lymphatic drainage improves the skin. I was also unable to find any research on human subjects showing that microcurrent enhanced lymphatic drainage either. 

Getting the Best Results

Getting the best results with microcurrent starts with having realistic expectations.

What It Can Do:

• Slightly improve product penetration
  
  

• Support wound healing (in clinical settings)
  
  

• Provide short-term facial muscle stimulation (mild toning at best)
  
  

What It Won’t Do:

• Restructure your face
  
  

• Lift sagging caused by bone or fat loss
  
  

• Replace clinically proven treatments like retinoids, lasers, or chemical peels
  
  

Picking a Device

One of the biggest challenges with microcurrent is that studies vary widely in their settings - everything from microamps to frequency, waveform, and even the design of the device (handheld probes, professional machines, or patches).

Dr. Thomas Wing, the inventor of microcurrent therapy, proposed certain parameters, but there hasn’t been enough follow-up research to validate or standardize them. That’s why I recommend not obsessing over technical specs - instead, look for these basics:

• Monophasic current. This allows you to drive charged ingredients into the skin (iontophoresis).
  
  

• Constant current generator. This ensures the current stays the same even as resistance changes (which can happen based on your skin hydration or where you place the probes).
  
  

• Microamps under 500 µA. Pops up in many of the studies, follows the Arendt-Schultz Law.

Everything else - frequency, duty cycle, waveform - is too inconsistent across studies to declare a “gold standard.”

Using Your Device

Your results will depend more on skin prep and technique than on specs. The outer layer of skin (the stratum corneum) has high impedance, which resists current flow. Hydrating your skin and using a good conductive medium is key for maintaining good conductivity and getting a good treatment.

Skin Prep

• Cleanse with a gentle, gel-based cleanser.

• Optional: Gentle exfoliation to reduce dead skin buildup.

• Apply a humectant-rich toner or serum. Avoid oils, silicones, or glycerin-based products that don’t conduct well.

• Use a conductive medium, like a gel or electrolyte solution. 

Treatment Tips

There’s no evidence that these devices are going to lift the face and upward motions and holds seldom make anatomical sense either. If you’re using microcurrent for product penetration, opt for a device that you can use with a mask. Otherwise, gliding motions or slow, steady passes with a handheld device are fine.

Aftercare

Wipe off any excess gel, then continue with your usual routine.

Stratia Skin Microcurrent Pairings

Prep:

• Soft Touch AHA – light exfoliation
  
  

• Aqua Factory Toner – hydration step
  
  

• Rewind Serum – treatment serum

Post-Treatment:

• C+C Serum (AM) or Night Shift Retinol (PM)

• Interface Peptide Cream 

Final Verdict: Is Microcurrent Worth It?

Microcurrent has a long history and its medical applications have potential. But the aesthetic claims just don’t hold up. 

Too often, the results you see online are from:

• The probes pushing up brow hairs, providing a “lift” compared to the other side

• Mild inflammation from massage that can be achieved with your hands 

It may have some legitimate benefits for our skin. Just don’t expect miracles - or a face lift.

• Microcurrent can support product penetration, wound healing, and is likely beneficial for skin.
  
  

• Claims about lifting and toning are mostly unproven in terms of the face.
  
  

• It’s a fun add-on for skincare junkies or in-office facials, not a must.
  
  

References 

ATP - the universal energy currency. 

Consider of micro-current’s effect to variation of facial wrinkle trend: Randomized clinical trial study

Development of home beauty devices for facial rejuvenation: Establishment of efficacy evaluation system

Electrical microcurrent stimulation therapy for wound healing: A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Iontophoresis in dermal delivery: A review of applications in dermato-cosmetic and aesthetic sciences

Mira is a skincare educator, blogger, and the content creator behind Skin Science by Mira and The Skincare Forum on Facebook. While skincare keeps her busy, she’s also pursuing her degree in Nursing and loves to spend her free time hiking.  As a content writer for Stratia Skin, Mira shares her evidence-based approach to skincare topics and a passion for making science accessible.