Can Microcurrent Cause Cancer? Is Microcurrent Safe for the Face?

Are you considering an appointment with an esthetician in your neighborhood for a microcurrent facial? Among other questions you may have, you are probably most concerned about the procedure which appears too good to be true. Will you come down with cancer over time with this skin treatment or is it safe?

Considering the expensive and often painful treatment procedures for most cancers, your concern about the safety of this rather novel beauty regimen is a valid one. After all, a sagging aging skin that is healthy and devoid of cancer is by far more preferable than a youthful but cancer-prone or infected one.

As such, from the definition of this concept to its safety assurances, this article will discuss everything you need to know about microcurrent facials especially those who are best fitted to experience it. If you have a warm cup of coffee nearby, grab it as we take this ride together.

Table of Contents:

• Part 1: What is a Microcurrent Facial?
• Part 2: What Should You Expect During a Microcurrent Facial Session?
• Part 3: How Safe is Microcurrent Facial? Does it Cause Cancer?
• Part 4: Cosmetics and Health Benefits of Microcurrent Facials
• Part 5: Are there At-Home Microcurrent Devices?

What is a Microcurrent Facial?

Experts say that microcurrent facials are non-invasive, non-surgical stimulation of facial muscles to achieve a favorable cosmetic purpose. As with other parts of our body, the face has muscles and bones that keep it in shape. We have over 43 facial muscles, all working synergistically to help us smile, frown, and carry out other functions.

What happens is that as we age, these muscles begin to shrink, lose shape, and may slightly shift their positions, resulting in our faces sagging and wrinkles appearing. Not everyone likes this look, and microcurrent seems to be the miracle solution fashionistas and every conscious person have been looking for, for ages.

The procedure involves passing a feeble electric current through a two-electrodes device into the skin. Once the microcurrent reaches your muscles, it charges and trains them to look like their original shapes. That is why when you see someone who just finished a microcurrent facial session, their faces look plumper without the depression and sagging.

But microcurrent does more than train the muscles; it also initiates the production of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP), the energy molecule of the cell. This energy enables the facial cells to stimulate the production of elastin and collagens, the proteins useful for skin and hair development.

What Should You Expect During a Microcurrent Facial Session?

It’s normal if you are apprehensive of what lies ahead during your first appointment with your esthetician. Given the already scary name of this procedure, you might wonder whether you are preparing for an electrical shock session or a painful procedure. The good news is that microcurrent isn’t painful, and you aren’t likely going to spend more than 50 minutes per session.

The first thing your esthetician would do is to prepare your facial skin for the procedure. To achieve this, he or she will require that you lay on your back with your face facing up. Once you are ready, the face prep begins. The following are some of the preparation routines your esthetician will most likely follow

• Face cleansing
• LED Light Therapy
• Exfoliation
• Masking
• Serum

Once your aesthetician is satisfied that your face is ready, they will most likely spread a layer of conductive gel on your skin to help the microcurrent easily reach your muscles. Next is the passage of the tiny currents into your skin using the machine. In doing this, your expert can use attachments such as Pico Probes or do without them. Modern microcurrent machines have everything to deliver the right current to stimulate your facial muscles.

Experts assert that a single microcurrent facial session is OK for a month. However, many people routinely undergo this procedure once a week due to its impressive results and relative affordability. The cosmetic significance of this procedure is related to its ability to stimulate the muscles to build up or grow to fill up spaces around facial skin that cause sagging or aging.

How Safe is Microcurrent Facial? Does it Cause Cancer?

Almost all categories of people can safely undergo microcurrent facials, except for people with epilepsy, pregnant women, people with diabetes, and people with cardiovascular diseases using pacemakers. If you’ve recently undergone an oral and maxillofacial surgery or any facelift intervention, it’s wise to seek your doctor’s consent before submitting yourself for this skin treatment.

Save for the tingling you feel from the metallic part of the machine, the process is nearly painless and can be relaxing, as reported by many people. That said, we each interpret discomfort differently, and what is permissible to one may not be permissible to someone else.

As for the cancer question, there is no scientific research associating microcurrent facial with an increased risk of cancer. Nevertheless, for anyone with an active form of cancer growth, the treatment is not recommended. That’s because there are claims that microcurrent facials facilitate cellular energy production in the form of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). 

Since the action of this skin treatment goes beyond the muscles to the cells, it might not be safe for anyone already diagnosed with cancer. Even if the cancer growth is not close to the face, it’s better avoided than feeling sorry later. ATPs are the driving force of cells, and unless medically weighed to be beneficial, an extra-cellularly induced production of such might be detrimental to cancer suppression.

But away from cancer, microcurrent sure has its risks, which include swelling, tingling, headache, redness, dizziness, and possible discomfort. The probability of these risks and their severity, however, depends on your handlers and the tools they use. But even at that, these things are manageable and often short-lived. Not everyone experiences these side effects. With the right tools and expertise, you don’t have to experience any of these.

Cosmetics and Health Benefits of Microcurrent Facials

In the last decade, many people have researched the possible health and beauty benefits of microcurrent facials. Below are some of the proven advantages of this procedure.

1. Muscle Stimulation

The face has over 42 muscles, many of which start losing form with age. Because of this loss of form, your face might get depressed at some points or come down with wrinkles. Microcurrent stimulates these out-of-form muscles, reducing aging by making your face look firmer.

2. Wound Healing

Some researchers have reported that microcurrent facials hasten wound healing, especially when close to or on the face. Due to its ability to enhance blood circulation, scientists say this treatment may help combat inflammation and chronic ulcer wounds, including some face-rendering acne.

3. Pain Relief

Although there is limited research on the use of electrical stimulation to relieve pain, pointers from the 2019 work done by Alan et al. suggest that this link exists. Among other claims, these scientists posited that a person suffering from sinus congestion pain can get up to six hours of relief if they practice self-microcurrent facial treatment. This observation has also been corroborated in animal studies where the treatment contributed to a faster alleviation of atrophied tissues.

4. Collagen and Elastin Stimulation

Although more work still needs to be done to affirm the correlation between elastin and collagen production stimulation authoritatively, there are already strong indications of such an association. Collagen and elastin are essential proteins for hair and skin development. However, with age, they start losing their shape, causing the skin to sag and look generally unhealthy. Microcurrent facials may help tremendously in engineering the massive production of these proteins, leading to a more radiant and youthful look.

5. Skin Toning and Toxin Removal

The usefulness of microcurrent in helping to tone the skin lies in its ability to ensure tighter or firmer skin. Also, because it aids better blood circulation, it can flush toxins off the body, resulting in a clearer and more radiant look.

Are there At-Home Microcurrent Devices?

Yes. Many at-home microcurrent devices exist, and they are also safe and effective. However, unlike IPL, at-home microcurrent devices trail professional services. You can hardly get the same results as you would if you visited a trained personnel. Besides, the different makers of this product mean that some are better than others. If you don’t know how to differentiate among the numerous options available, you might select one that is not particularly best for you. However, with a professional, you take out the guesswork, and you’re sure you are getting the best microcurrent facial possible.

Is Professional Microcurrent Facial Affordable?

How much you would pay for your microcurrent depends on the number of sessions you need and the charging rates of your service provider. The number of sessions you need also depends on your age and skin demands. Younger folks usually need fewer sessions than older ones and will pay less. In general, clinics and beauty shops in urban centers charge more than those in less populated places. Whichever way, it’s best to budget between $180 and $250 for a microcurrent facial, regardless of where you live.

Conclusion

Getting a microcurrent facial is like going to the gym to keep fit; you can’t do it once and stop if you want a lasting result. If you are below 40, a session once a month will suffice. Older people may need to visit their esthetician two to three times monthly to maintain results. Of course, you can augment professional service with at-home treatment if you’re a busy executive or you’re trying to save money.

Microcurrent facials do not induce cancer but if you’ve been diagnosed with any form of this condition, you need your doctor’s counsel before undergoing the procedure. The skincare method is safe for most people and doesn’t take more than 45 minutes if your esthetician is skilled and well-equipped. Once completed, you can expect a fuller and plumper face that offers you a 5-10 years younger look.