Face Muscle Stimulator, How It Works and How to Choose One
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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A face muscle stimulator is a handheld device that uses microcurrent, EMS or both to make the facial muscles work, giving a firmer, more lifted look with regular use; choose one with an FDA clearance, a published output and the settings you need.
This guide covers what to know, such as:
- what a face muscle stimulator is
- microcurrent vs EMS stimulation
- what results to expect
- how to choose one
- how to use it safely
and many more!
We make PureLift face muscle stimulators, so weigh our view accordingly.
Key Points:
Face muscle stimulators use microcurrent, EMS or both.
Microcurrent is gentle and often felt as a light tingle; EMS produces a visible contraction.
Results build over weeks of regular use and fade gradually if you stop.
Look for an FDA clearance, a published output with a stated load and no required branded gel.
Avoid stimulators with a pacemaker, during pregnancy or with epilepsy.
What a face muscle stimulator is
A handheld device with two contact points that passes current through the skin into the facial muscles. See our article on what a microcurrent device is.
Microcurrent vs EMS
| Microcurrent | EMS | |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | Microamps | Milliamps |
| Feel | Light tingle or nothing | Visible contraction |
| Use | Gentle toning | Stronger toning |
The full comparison is in our EMS versus microcurrent article.
What results to expect
A firmer, more lifted look along the jaw, cheeks and brows over weeks. A randomized controlled trial by Kavanagh and colleagues, published in 2012, measured facial electrical stimulation over twelve weeks.
How to choose one
Check the FDA clearance, the published output and load, the gel requirement and the return policy. See our buying checklist.
| 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 |
Every PureLift model runs nanocurrent at level 1, microcurrent at level 2 and EMS from level 3 to 10 on one dial, plus an Infuse pass, with a ten minute session and no more than three minutes per side of the face, and works with any water-based conductive serum.
Using it safely
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 a face muscle stimulator
A handheld device that uses microcurrent, EMS or both to make the facial muscles work.
Do face muscle stimulators work
With regular use they can give a firmer, more lifted look.
Is EMS or microcurrent better for the face
Microcurrent is gentler; EMS gives a stronger contraction. Some devices offer both.
How often should I use a face muscle stimulator
Four or five times a week for eight to twelve weeks, then two or three times a week.
Are face muscle stimulators safe
For most people. Avoid them with a pacemaker, during pregnancy or with epilepsy.
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.