At-home device
Microcurrent device (home or clinic)
Low-level electrical current applied over the face, marketed for a temporarily lifted, toned look.
Indicative cost
£200.00–£500.00 one-off purchase
Downtime
None.
Typical course
Most protocols ask for five sessions a week for 8-12 weeks.
Keeping it up
Two or three sessions a week indefinitely — the look fades if you stop.
How it works
A very low current is passed between two electrodes across facial muscles. Effects are generally described as short-lived and cumulative with frequent use.
What a session actually involves
Conductive gel, then five to ten minutes of gliding the device along set paths. A faint tingle at most.
What people usually consider it for
- Firmness and tone
- Fine lines
- Dullness
This reflects what the treatment is commonly used for — not a claim that it will work for you.
When it may not be suitable
- You are pregnant
- You have a pacemaker or implanted electrical device
- You have epilepsy
- You have metal implants in the face
This list is not exhaustive. A qualified practitioner should assess you before any treatment.
Things to weigh up
- — Use the conductive gel supplied
- — Avoid over broken skin or active breakouts
What the evidence looks like
Independent evidence is limited and effects are widely reported as temporary.
Questions worth asking first
Only worth it if you will genuinely use it several times a week; otherwise the cost per use is very high.
What tends to sit alongside it
- Conductive gel
- Moisturiser
Others people compare it with
Treatments and devices are listed for information only. Nothing here is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a promise of a result. Suitability depends on your health, skin and the specific device or practitioner — always check with a qualified professional first.