Our beauty writer tried NuFace’s sci-fi looking microcurrent device, and here’s what happened
If a psychic told me that in the near future I’d be massaging my face with a two-pronged metal contraption for beauty purposes, I’d assume they were full of terrifying lies. Yet, here I am, writing about how I tried this microcurrent device called NuFace, and the feelings and experience were overall positive and non-dystopian. Okay, a *little* dystopian but more in the badass Mad Max fighter way than the repressive Handmaid’s Tale style dystopia.
ANYWAYS, back to business. Before I get into the nitty gritty of my personal experience, I should briefly explain what my Nuface microcurrent device is. According to Nuface’s site, a microcurrent is a low-level current that massages your skin and boasts the ability to increase collagen and elastin production, by mimicking and inspiring your body’s natural current. Say what?!
Basically, it’s supposed to give your skin a little kick to keep renewing itself. Also, the sensory emissions are so low you don’t feel it. There’s no buzzing, and many spas claim it helps to firm and contour your skin. So naturally, when I was offered the chance to sample the Nuface mini device ($199), I had to investigate.
First off, this is what it looks like.
It looks like a baby robot, doesn’t it?! When it first arrived in the mail, the first instructions were to charge it for 16 HOURS before using it. I was like, “dang, this device is already a diva about resting, so it better work.” Also, the microcurrent treatment is emitted through the metal heads.
Once the Nuface was charged, I made sure to cleanse my face in preparation.
The instructions say you HAVE to use an oil-free cleanser because oil is more likely to leave a residue that will block the microcurrent from fully stimulating your skin. I’m still not sure what any of this means, but I trust the dystopian overlords who create these products to know what they’re talking about.
Next, I applied the gel primer.
According to the instructions, the gel primer is meant to be applied all over your face until it feels wet. I applied it until my face felt like my skin was made of melting goo, which might have been overboard. The primer came with my Nuface, however, you may have to purchase it individually for $12. The primer is meant to be applied every time at the beginning of your treatment. Apparently, the gel-like primer acts as a conduit to your skin allowing the currents to penetrate.
The possibility of killer results decreases when you don’t let the goo help the microcurrent penetrate your skin. I’m aware how deeply creepy that last sentence sounds out of context.
Once the primer was applied, I turned on the Nuface and started the treatment.
The instructions told me to lightly massage my skin with three upwards swooping motions on my cheeks. Then repeat three times. The Nuface itself makes a beeping sound every few seconds, so you know when to change position and sweep upwards from a new starting point. Again, there’s no buzzing or weird sensation, I couldn’t feel the current at all.
After loving on my cheeks I moved to the forehead.
Again, I applied slow moving swoops upwards and I did this three times. The beep was my coach, and I was merely the student.
After the facial reps, I rinsed the remaining primer off.
Did my face instantly transform into a golden statue of symmetry and renewal? Of course not, and that’s not what microcurrent treatments actually claim to do. Especially in one go.
I will say, however, that my face felt a little bit tauter after trying this treatment for the first time. This makes sense, given the fact that regularly stimulating your skin with facial massages is a proven way to increase circulation and oxygen in your skin. The instructions recommend people use it five times a week for the first two months, then go down to 2-3 times a week for the best results. I’ve used the Nuface another time since my first go and definitely felt a boost that day as well. I’ll for sure be tracking any benefits and progress in the coming weeks.
While the concept of allowing invisible microcurrents to penetrate my skin for vanity is terrifying in a few ways, I’ll admit that I enjoyed the process quite a bit. It’s not too time-consuming and there was something meditative about the ordeal. Massaging and loving on your skin is good no matter what! This just happens to be an amplified, high-tech futuristic way to go about it.
