Why Microcurrent Devices Are So Popular Now
Medically reviewed by
4 independent reviewers
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.
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
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
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.
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Microcurrent devices have become popular because they bring a salon treatment home at a one-time cost, have no downtime, are widely FDA cleared and show visible results on social media, though results depend on regular use over weeks.
This article looks at why, such as:
- home convenience
- no needles or downtime
- FDA clearances
- social media
- what to check before buying
and many more!
We make microcurrent devices, so we have balanced the hype with the limits.
Key Points:
Home devices make the frequent sessions results depend on practical.
No needles and no downtime appeal to people who avoid injectables.
Many devices hold FDA clearances buyers can look up.
Before and after videos drive interest but often show short-lived effects.
Check clearance, published output and gel costs before buying.
Home convenience
A salon series costs far more per session than a one-time device. See our cost article.
No needles or downtime
An alternative or complement to injectables. See our devices vs injectables article.
FDA clearances
Many devices hold clearances you can check. See our clearance guide.
Social media
Videos often show the short-lived lift right after a session. See our before and after photos article.
Where it came from
The history is in our history of microcurrent.
What to check before buying
A randomized controlled trial by Kavanagh and colleagues, published in 2012, measured results over twelve weeks, so pick a device you will use regularly.
| 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 |
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
Why is microcurrent so popular
Home convenience, no downtime, FDA clearances and visible short-term results.
Is microcurrent a fad
It has decades of medical and salon use behind it.
Are microcurrent videos realistic
Many show the short-lived lift right after a session.
Are home microcurrent devices safe
For most people; avoid them with a pacemaker, during pregnancy or with epilepsy.
How do I choose a microcurrent device
Check clearance, published output and gel costs.
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.