Heads Up: This Is The Exact Age You Should Start Using Microcurrent Devices

Different skin care tools are best suited for different complexion types and goals. High-frequency wands, for example, help kill acne-causing bacteria and thus are top-notch for acne-prone skin. Percussive or vibrating tools help dial down puffiness and improve circulation—great for dull, sallow complexions. And microcurrent devices are top-notch for aging skin since they help your facial muscles act younger. (I'll jump into the exact high-tech process in just a moment, but that's the gist.) 

It's true that the younger you start, the better when it comes to microcurrent. After all, prevention is far easier than treating skin care woes once they've already cropped up—the same logic applies to microcurrent.

"Microcurrent devices are best utilized for prevention and maintenance and therefore can be started as early as your 20s," says board-certified dermatologist Rebecca Marcus, M.D., founder of MaeiMD. See, you lose 1% of collagen per year starting in your mid-20s, which can manifest in fine lines and sagging skin over time. 

"Microcurrent devices work by inducing muscle contractions and production of ATP, which is the energy used by cells to carry out their normal functions, including production of collagen and elastin," Marcus adds. You can read more about the technology here, but essentially, the handheld electromagnetic device sends gentle jolts of energy to stimulate your skin cells—this, in turn, can "exercise" the facial muscles and make them appear more toned and lifted. 

It's like a workout for your skin cells—and while you can exercise at any point in life, it is best to start strengthening your muscles on the early side. "With advancing age, collagen and elastin are produced at a slower rate, and muscles naturally atrophy, so microcurrent may not be as effective as it would be in younger skin," Marcus explains. 

It's not that you stop reaping the benefits of microcurrent entirely—you just might not notice as drastic of a change with age. That said, it's important to have realistic expectations here. If you have fixed, more severe sagging, it's not like microcurrent can help you bounce back to your 20-year-old complexion, board-certified dermatologist Nava Greenfield, M.D., explains. 

However, that doesn't mean you should kick the habit. "Muscles never stop responding to any type of activity," Johari adds. "As the old saying [goes], 'If you don't use it, you will lose it…'" It might take longer for those muscles to respond, but with consistency and time, it is possible to reeducate them.

That said, you must stick to microcurrent consistently—no matter what age you start. "Microcurrent technology is cumulative, which means that the best results will always come from a series of regular treatments (try for two to four times per week)," advises Johari. You can't use it one-off and expect miraculous results. 

If you have mature skin, you may even want to pair microcurrent with other collagen-promoting ingredients and modalities. Think peptides, growth factors, antioxidants, collagen supplements, and red light therapy. "With advancing age, it will be even more important to stick to regular, consistent treatments and combine them with effective skin care products and perhaps in-office procedures," adds Marcus (lasers, microneedling, and the like).