Microcurrent Facial Toning and LED Light Therapy are two of the most celebrated and documented treatments used in top skin centers and medical practices to address muscle toning and firming of aging and damaged skin. They take you beyond the traditional skin treatment to more effectively address the common concerns of premature aging, uneven skin tone, wrinkles, inflammation, and/or acne breakouts using clinically effective products coupled with state-of-the-art technologies.
What is Microcurrent?
Microcurrent is a low level of electrical current that mirrors the body’s own natural current. It has been used medically for decades to assist in the healing of wounds as well as muscle rehabilitation. And while it is credited by hundreds of medical studies, the intended use for microcurrent by the professional skin therapist is to aid in the management of aging by diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve the texture and appearance of the skin, and by reducing the overall visual appearance of aging.
How does microcurrent work? Muscle Re-education and ATP
Muscle re-education (“facial toning”) movements are combined with a low level of current (no more than 500 microamperes) that has the effect of either firming facial muscles that have become elongated over many years by age and gravity, or lengthening facial muscles that have become increasingly contracted over years of facial expressions.
ATP (adenosine triphosphate) molecules provide energy to drive many processes in living cells, including muscle contraction and nerve transmission. Our bodies naturally produce and store ATP and this ability to stockpile ATP is the reason why microcurrent results are cumulative and become more identifiable as a series of treatments progresses.
In 1982 a study at the University of Washington showed that ATP levels were increased by 500% on tissue that was treated with microcurrent.
In 1999 Dr. Emil Y. Chi, Ph.D. at the University of Washington’s Department of Pathology performed clinical studies using the Bio-Ultimate Gold device manufactured by Seattle based Bio-Therapeutic. (At Mirabella Skin Care we use the next generation Bio-Ultimate Platinum device). Dr. Chi’s study revealed that skin tissue treated with microcurrent showed a 45 percent increase in the number of elastin fibers in the dermis and, on average, the length of the fibers doubled. Collagen thickness in the connective tissues increased 10 percent, and blood circulation increased by 35%. He noted “The application of microcurrent to skin and tissue produced a firmer and tighter feeling of the skin surface.”
In addition, microcurrent offers specific iontophoresis, which allows superior penetration of clinically advanced serums and complexes into the skin.
Microcurrent treatments Although the level of current used in microcurrent devices is very minute, there are some contra-indications to consider. This includes pace makers, epilepsy, pregnancy, and of course any client who is currently “under the care of a physician”.
And while a remarkable difference is seen after the first treatment, the benefits of microcurrent are cumulative, and as such, microcurrent treatments are typically performed in a series to gain maximum anti-aging results. The average treatment series consists of twelve to fifteen treatments, generally administered two times per week.
What is LED?
Just like microcurrent, LED has been around for decades, and has become an established practice in many skin care practices because of its safety and efficacy.
LED stands for Light Emitting Diode, which is a tiny computer chip encased in glass. Each LED wavelength (color) of light provides unique therapeutic benefits to the skin.
Amber, Light Red, Dark Red, and Infrared LEDs have been shown to enhance cellular metabolism, accelerate the repair of damaged skin cells, reduce inflammation and stimulate the production of collagen, which can result in the diminished appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Blue light destroys acne-causing bacteria, helping to clear existing breakouts in order to visibly improve the health and appearance of the skin.
At Mirabella we use both the Bio-Therapeutic BT Accent LED device that offers red light or blue light (or a combination of both) and the LightStim PRO anti-aging LED. Both companies are leaders in the industry, have FDA approval, and manufacture medical-grade devices.
History has shown that beauty and anti-aging trends come and go, however, non-invasive technologies such as microcurrent and LED light therapy have withstood the test of time and will continue to be among the most sought after treatments offered by professional skin therapists for years to come.