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Microcurrent Movements for Maximum Lift: A Step-by-Step Guide
A tool in itself is completely neutral, and knowing how to use it makes all the difference. By now, most of us are aware of microcurrent facial toning benefits, be it in professional salons or clinics or a boom of more practical and smaller microcurrent devices for at-home use. The popular non-invasive treatment promises a youthful-looking, fresher, smoother, toned, and lifted skin without a glistening laser in sight. But just as two people can get exactly the same ingredients and tools and create a gastronomic disaster (and maybe a small fire) and a culinary masterpiece, life is not so much about what we have but more about how we use the tools and resources at our disposal.
Today, we'll give you a step-by-step guide on how to use a microcurrent device, showing you specific targeted facial movements to enhance microcurrent results and deliver the best lifting results, sculpting, and skin rejuvenation. Learning these will be a breeze. Follow the instructions here as many times as you need to until you get the hang of these few crucial microcurrent facial movements. But first, for microcurrent novices, here’s a short intro on microcurrent and microcurrent devices, which you knowledgeable veterans are free to skip.
Electricity: Friend or foe?
Electricity within the body is a definite friend keeping us alive (literally). On the other hand, electricity outside the body could go either way. The untamed force of a lightning strike, a chance encounter with a live wire or an electric fence may just send you to your maker, but a controlled charge can restart your heart, and a microcurrent device can wipe years off your face without a morsel of pain or a drop of blood spilled.
Within the body, the cells "talk" to each other and coordinate actions that keep you alive, including the most auto-pilot functions that are too important to be left to you to mess with, such as heartbeat and breathing. So electricity is pretty momentous. Each excitable cell (meaning its inside is negative with respect to its environment) has an unequal distribution of ions inside and outside the cell. As the ions move, they generate an electric pulse called the action potential. There is a big deal around sodium and potassium ions dancing around and keeping us alive, but we'll not go into that right now. Just remember that electricity is natural to our bodies and that the body recognizes and works well with - up to a specific voltage.
From pain and paralysis to perfect
Long before microcurrent facial treatments entered the scene as the stars of the beauty industry, there unfolded a whole fascinating past using electrical charges for various medical purposes, from pain management to re-educating damaged muscle. The use of bioelectrical stimulation dates way back to the 3rd millennia BC when the control over electrical power was not yet even a twinkle in civilization's eyes. Stone carvings from the Egyptian Fifth Dynasty show the use of a torpedo fish (similar to an electric eel) to relieve pain through targeted shocks. Even Queen Elizabeth I's doctor explored electrical charges, and Benjamin Franklin dabbled in its pain-relieving properties. Galvani's dancing leg of a deceased frog confirmed that electricity affects animal (of which we are also one) muscles. A hundred years later, Thomas Edison created electric devices for local anesthesia, and Nikola Tesla experimented with high-frequency currents.
Fast forward to the 70s, and Dr. Thomas W. Wing's success in restoring muscle function to the drooping faces of Bell's Palsy patients and a subsequent realization that microcurrent devices also rejuvenated the look of the skin above the muscle. The beauty industry caught on, and here we are, half a century later - large, clumsy machines of the first beauty salons substituted by pocket-sized, sleek, elegant microcurrent facial devices to fade the signs of aging.
What does a microcurrent device do?
Low-level electrical currents channeled through the spheres of your microcurrent device exercise the facial muscles, restore crucial functions in skin cells, and boost collagen production. Collagen is the main connective tissue, keeping not only our skin looking fresh, youthful, and bouncy but also our body functioning and flexible and preventing us from crumbling into a pile of brittle tissues. Go, collagen!
So basically, a microcurrent facial works on several fronts, tightening the muscles under the skin, giving your face a lifted, sculpted appearance, boosting collagen production, revving up the ATP (cell energy) production, sort of like restoring skin cells to an earlier point in time. Also, the shape and manipulation of the face with the microcurrent device's spheres will massage, increase microcirculation, and perform a lovely and very welcome lymphatic drainage function (especially on those puffy days) if the right microcurrent movements are implemented.
Microcurrent facial prep
Facial Cleansing
No prep, no results. Whatever skincare treatment you plan to do, be it red light therapy, microneedling, dermabrasion, or microcurrent, always cleanse your skin first, with no exceptions. Cleanse your skin morning and evening regardless of any subsequent treatment, but a pre-treatment cleanse is necessary if you want to see results and avoid breakouts.
If you wear a lot of makeup and SPF, double cleansing (an oil-based cleanser followed by a water-based one) might be a good idea. Otherwise, just use a gentle cleanser to protect your precious barrier. Don't overzealously scrub or mechanically exfoliate. Use lukewarm water, not piping hot, and pat dry rather than aggressively rubbing.
For microcurrent concretely, we want to make sure there are no oils left on the skin (your own or from the oil-based cleanser) and that the skin is completely dry before we start the treatment because water and electricity are in a feud. If caught in a crossfire, you'll get zapped.
Apply Conductive gel
Never ever use your microcurrent facial device without a conductive gel or a serum specifically designed for this purpose. Never! Microcurrent may be "low-level," and it will not throw you against the wall if you're shocked, but it is a highly uncomfortable, painful method of machoism and is damaging to the skin.
Ideally, use the gel, serum, or primer created for your microcurrent device to get the best possible results. We strongly recommend (and will be demonstrating the microcurrent movements on) the cutest and most potent little beast, FOREO's BEAR™ 2 microcurrent device. Loved by experts, BEAR™ 2 is the world's first FDA-cleared medical microcurrent device with Anti-Shock System™ and 4 revolutionary types of microcurrent.
Before putting on the conductive serum, ensure that both your face and BEAR™ 2 are dry. Apply evenly across all areas of the face and neck you wish to treat, leaving a thin layer on the skin surface. If your skin soaks up the serum too fast, consider applying it quadrant by quadrant as you treat your face to avoid any dry spots, or do one whole face pre-application and do a bit more for each area as you treat.
For the best microcurrent before-and-after photos, we recommend using FOREO SUPERCHARGED™ Serum 2.0—developed specifically for use with FOREO’s microcurrent devices and clinically proven to increase type one collagen production. The anti-aging, electrolyte-laced conductive serum is more than just conductive. It hits the same problems topically as the microcurrent does on deeper skin levels and features 5 types of Hyaluronic Acid, precious Ceramides, and Squalane.
Feel free to also explore the entire BEAR™ 2 collection, including eye and lip line-targeted iterations, as well as travel-friendly and body-toning versions of the device, here.
Select preferences
The BEAR™ 2 microcurrent device is very easy to use, with a single-button interface for full control over the device's power. Press the universal power button to turn BEAR™ 2 on, then quick-press the same button to choose the level (1-5) you're comfortable with. Double-press the button to turn the T-Sonic™ massage on and off. We suggest you leave it on. You'll love it, relax the tension points, and get an excellent microcirculation boost.
If you've never used microcurrent toning before, start with level 1 intensity and slowly advance towards a more intense treatment once you feel comfortable on the previous level. You can also quickly switch intensities if some of your facial areas are more sensitive to currents. If you'd like to be guided through the BEAR™ 2 treatment, you can do that in the FOREO app.
Microcurrent facial movement by face regions
Jaw microcurrent movement
If you don’t have the patience to wait for the facial exercises to work, a microcurrent device will speed thing up. Place the device in the middle of your chin, with one sphere below the jawbone and one above. Glide the device upwards to where the jaw ends below the ear. Use medium pressure and speed, keeping in mind that you should always hug the jawline contour with both spheres. Repeat five times. You can choose to move up to the new quadrant or repeat the five strokes on the opposite side of the face first, as you please.
Nasolabial fold/Ear
Start at the nasolabial fold, the line that connects from each side of your nostril to the corners of the mouth, and glide upwards towards the ear. Feel free to hold the device by the ear for a few seconds. Do five strokes before you graduate onto the cheekbone and repeat on the other side. Ironing out the nasolabial fold will do wonders in making your face look more youthful and fresh, as this is one of the prominent facial features that make us look older than we are and is basically synonymous with age. Test it. Draw the face of a stick figure. He is age-nonspecific. Now, draw two lines from his nose to his mouth, one on each side. How old is your stick person now?
Cheekbone
Here, we double down on that nasal fold, staring from there to the ear in much the same fashion as the previous microcurrent movement. Still, the goal is to go higher and hug the cheekbone to give it a more defined, plump, and sculpted look of cheekbones that induce jealousy. You know, the ones we're talking about.
Forehead
Ah, the forehead and the frown lines and those relentless angry 11s that get ever more prominent the angrier we get at them. Treat it as three separate sectors - left, middle, and right. The left and right will both get three upward strokes each, and the middle brow to hairline is a separate stroke (which you can repeat a few times if your 11s are particularly hardcore). Push some of the serum up into the beginning of your hairline so as not to get uncomfortable when the spheres touch the baby hairs. Glide steadily from the top of the brow to the beginning of the hairline. So that's: Three left, one middle, three right. That concludes the facial microcurrent movement part and brings us to the final segment of the tutorial - the neck.
Neck
Ask any self-respecting makeup artist or drag queen (which is basically the same), and you'll get some serious hate if you forget the neck. It goes for microcurrent, too, as the fragile, thin, and sensitive skin on the neck creases and moves all day long, showing lines and crinkles, even in your 20s. We target the muscles on each side of the neck to counter that. Start at the bottom of the neck and stop below the jaw. Have some resolve in that motion, do five, and then extend the movement to span the bottom of the neck to under the cheekbone. Glide five more times and repeat on the other side. Always make sure you treat only the sides of the neck where the muscle is located and don't go over the mid-throat so as not to disturb the thyroid gland.
Once you've finished the treatment, you can wash off the extra serum or massage it in (recommended), and feel free to continue with the rest of your skincare routine if desired, focusing on a good, calming moisturizer.
Microcurrent facial movement general tips & safety
As our goal is always to lift and sculpt the face, remember the general rule of always directing your microcurrent device motions upwards and outwards from the center of the face. We want to retrain the muscle into an elongated, elegant, upward form and corral that lymphy away from the face.
Segment the face, as we've already mentioned, for ease of use and to be effective with your serum. The ideal segments for a complete facial microcurrent device (not the targeted mini version focusing on lines around the mouth or crow's feet around the eyes) are the jaw, lower cheek, cheekbone, forehead, and neck. There is some debate on going fast or slow and holding a spot for a few seconds, but you can go as slow or fast as long as the motion is upwards and you feel comfortable. If you're going to hold a position on the side of the face, make sure to do the same on the other side.
Microcurrent Frequently Asked Questions
Does microcurrent lift the face?
Yes, microcurrent therapy is often used to help lift and tone the face. Electrical currents stimulate the facial muscles, improving muscle tone and skin tightening. Over time, it can improve the appearance of sagging skin and give the face a more lifted, contoured look.
Should microcurrent make your face twitch?
It’s normal for microcurrent to cause a mild muscle twitching sensation, especially in areas with more muscle tone, but this sensation is not uncomfortable or painful. The twitch results from the electrical current stimulating the muscle. If you feel discomfort, the device's intensity might be too high for you, so lower the intensity or consult a professional.
What should microcurrent feel like?
You know you’ve got the right treatment intensity if microcurrent feels like a gentle, pleasant pulsing, and energized sensation. It’s often described as a tingling, prickling, or light vibrating feeling as the currents stimulate your muscles. Some people may experience slight warmth, which is perfectly normal due to muscle activity. If the sensation is too intense or uncomfortable, it could indicate an issue with the device or settings.
Microcurrent movements and safety
Although well established, microcurrents still illicit some fear, and rightfully so. We can’t speak for the entire market of microcurrent devices, but regarding the safety of BEAR™ 2, it has an inbuilt Anti-Shock System™ 2.0. The system measures your skin resistance to electricity 100X per second and slightly adjusts the current to fit you precisely in just 0.002 seconds response time. BEAR™ 2 will also not channel current unless both spheres are touching the skin, and a timer will turn the device off in 2 minutes or so, preventing accidents and battery drainage if you forget to turn it off.
While doing the microcurrent device movement, never glide so hard that you feel uncomfortable pulling or pain, nor so softly as a weak handshake. Make the movements flowing, steady, and of a pleasant pressure. Remember never to go over the upper or lower eyelids or the aforementioned thyroid gland. It is all basically pretty common sense and easy peasy, with the right tool and knowledge on how to use microcurrent in your skincare routine. We hope that’s what we’ve provided to you today. Stay curious, stay beautiful, eclectic, and electric, and enjoy living in your (lifted) skin.
For all of you who wish to keep exploring microcurrent, here are some useful resources:
- Microcurrent Before & After: Is It Worth It?
- What is the Best Microcurrent Facial Device for You?
- How to use a microcurrent device in your skincare routine?
- FOREO BEAR™ Before & After: Amanda Ramsay 3-Month Trial
- Are Microcurrent Treatments up to 1000 μA Safe?
- Microcurrent Facial Guide to Lose Loose Skin
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