Nanocurrent, Microcurrent and EMS in One Device, How PureLift Works

Medically reviewed by

4 independent reviewers

Andrew Conrad Barile, PT, DPT

Andrew Conrad Barile, PT, DPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) | Licensed Physical Therapist (PT) | CEO and Founder, Xtreem Pulse LLC

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Dr. Andrew Conrad Barile is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and the CEO and Founder of Xtreem Pulse LLC, the engineering company behind PureLift. He earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Daemen College and is a licensed physical therapist.

He brings over two decades of clinical and entrepreneurial experience across physical therapy, craniosacral therapy and medical device innovation, built on a working knowledge of human anatomy and muscle physiology.

For PureLift LAB he reviews how current is delivered across all ten levels, from sub-sensory nanocurrent and skin-level microcurrent to motor-level EMS, and how the Infuse pass fits into the same ten-minute routine.

Bertica M. Rubio, M.D.

Bertica M. Rubio, M.D.

Board-Certified Physician, Dartmouth Medical School | Medical Director, Antiaging Regenerative Medicine Clinic

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Dr. Bertica M. Rubio is a board-certified physician and Medical Director of the Antiaging Regenerative Medicine Clinic in Redlands, California. She earned her Doctor of Medicine from Dartmouth Medical School and completed her pediatrics residency at UC Irvine Medical Center.

With decades of clinical experience, she specialises in age management medicine, regenerative medicine, wound healing and growth factor therapies, and her practice integrates evidence-based medical science with advanced aesthetic treatment.

For PureLift LAB she reviews articles for medical accuracy across the whole dial, from the gentle nanocurrent and microcurrent settings through to muscle-level EMS and the Infuse pass.

Daniel Grinberg, MD, FACS

Daniel Grinberg, MD, FACS

Board-Certified Otolaryngologist | Head and Neck Surgeon | Fellow, American College of Surgeons | Mount Sinai

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Daniel Grinberg, MD, FACS is a board-certified otolaryngologist and head and neck surgeon at ENT and Allergy Associates in West Nyack, New York. He earned his medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.

He completed his otolaryngology residency at New York University Medical Center, serves as Assistant Clinical Professor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and is a Fellow of both the American College of Surgeons and the American Academy of Otolaryngology.

For PureLift LAB he brings a wider clinical lens, connecting at-home facial stimulation from microcurrent to EMS to the anatomy underneath, with the same rigour we apply to every device specification.

Prof. Dr. med. Ivo Buschmann

Prof. Dr. med. Ivo Buschmann

Chair of Angiology, Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg | Clinic Director, University Clinic for Angiology

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Prof. Dr. med. Ivo Buschmann is Chair of Angiology at the Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg Theodor Fontane and Clinic Director of the University Clinic for Angiology at the Brandenburg University Hospital.

He trained at the University of Hamburg, was a Max Planck Society Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, and held senior consultant posts at the Charite Universitatsmedizin Berlin before his appointment as Chair in 2016.

One of Europe's leading authorities on arteriogenesis, with over 150 peer-reviewed publications and US and EU patents, he reviews for PureLift LAB how the evidence on electrical stimulation is read and where its limits lie.

What's This About:

PureLift puts three technologies on one ten level dial, nanocurrent at level 1, microcurrent at level 2 and EMS from level 3 to 10, so you can move from the gentlest setting to a visible muscle contraction in the same session.

This article explains the dial, such as:

- what each technology is

- what each level does

- why combine them

- how to move through the levels

- which model to choose

and many more!

We make PureLift, so this explains our own design.

Key Points:

Level 1 is nanocurrent, the gentlest setting.

Level 2 is microcurrent, felt as a light tingle or nothing.

Levels 3 to 10 are EMS, producing a visible contraction.

Combining them lets one device suit sensitive areas and stronger toning.

Every model also has an Infuse pass for serum absorption.

The three technologies

Level Technology Measured in What you feel
1 Nanocurrent Nanoamps Usually nothing
2 Microcurrent Microamps Light tingle or nothing
3 to 10 EMS Milliamps Visible contraction

Background is in our microcurrent vs nanocurrent article and our EMS versus microcurrent article.

Why combine them

Sensitive areas such as around the eyes suit the lowest levels, while the jaw and cheeks often suit EMS. One dial covers both. A randomized controlled trial by Kavanagh and colleagues, published in 2012, measured facial electrical stimulation over twelve weeks.

How to move through the levels

Start on level 1 around the eyes, use level 2 to warm up, then raise to a comfortable EMS level for the jaw, cheeks and brows. Finish with Infuse.

Which model to choose

Model Price Output FDA 510(k) Best for
PureLift Face $499 Up to 7 mA at 500 ohms K190269 Compact, the simplest way into the range
PureLift Pro $699 Up to 7 mA at 500 ohms K230506 Larger handle for longer home sessions
PureLift Pro Edition $799 Up to 7.7 mA at 500 ohms K230506 More output on the Pro body
PureLift Pro Plus $899 Up to 9 mA at 500 ohms K221443 Our strongest output
PureLift GLOW $999 Up to 9 mA at 500 ohms K243587 Adds red 634 nm and blue 465 nm light

See our PureLift range guide.

Do not use any facial current device if you have a pacemaker or other implanted electronic device, if you are pregnant or if you have epilepsy, and skip broken or irritated skin. The full list is in our safety article.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between nanocurrent, microcurrent and EMS

They are the same idea at different strengths, from nanoamps to microamps to milliamps.

Which PureLift level is microcurrent

Level 2.

Which PureLift levels are EMS

Levels 3 to 10.

Do all PureLift models have the same dial

Yes.

What is the Infuse pass

A setting designed to help water-based serums absorb.

This article sits inside our full map of the category, where we set out all 33 devices we track, what each one carries and what each brand publishes: Nine Technologies on One Dial, What the Rest of the Market Actually Carries.

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