Microcurrent at home: NuFace review
Until recently if you wanted to get a microcurrent face lift the only option was to book into your favorite skin clinic for an in office treatment.
Although home microcurrent systems were available in Europe – in the US it was a different matter. The sophisticated microcurrent machines used by estheticians and physicians in spas and clinics had not been adapted for our use at home.
Earlier this year Carol Cole changed all that when she released NuFace – the first (and she claims only) FDA approved true home microcurrent system on the US market.
Carol Cole is – in case you weren’t aware – a cosmetic dermatologist based in San Diego with over 25 years experience including in office microcurrent treatments for a celebrity client base.
Doing a review of NuFace is a touch difficult since there really is nothing to compare it with – but with all that knowledge and experience behind it – it should be good. Microcurrent technology – although fairly new in the US – is claimed to be one of the best anti aging treatments and similar home systems have been shown to work extremely well in Europe where they are well established.
I confess to being a bit biased here – I use a facial muscle stimulation system myself. It’s not a microcurrent system but the technology is close and I know it works. My device is Italian designed and not available as far as I’m aware in the US. What I’ve tried to do is use my knowledge and experience of this type of device in looking at the NuFace system.
“Where Botox has made the anti-aging market turn on its heels, the NuFace® device is a new innovative skin health product, NuFace® makes skin tighter and well toned” – Dr. Peter Pugliese, February 2008
I’ve done quite a bit of research on NuFace in forums and on skin care site for user reviews – there is plenty of comment out there even though the product is relatively new. I’ve also looked at the training video and manual that comes with the product and considered the NuFace package as a whole for ease of use and quality of materials.
First off – what do you get for your money?
Apart from the device itself which is supplied with battery, the pack comes with the Carol Cole derma-gel to improve conductivity and gliding when using NuFace and an optimizing mist with hyaluronic acid which is used after treatment to intensify lifting and hydrating. It also includes an excellent DVD and a user manual.
One thing to be clear about from the start is that NuFace should not be used on the inner eye area, around the lips or on the middle of the throat. The DVD and manual make this very clear and the excluded area of the face is actually very small.
The basic technique to use the NuFace device is simple – you glide the dual ball shaped silver probes over your face in defined movements – repeating each movement three times.
There are more ‘advanced’ techniques to intensify the lifting effect. These simply involve holding the device for 5 seconds at key points on the face and are very simple to copy. I was extremely impressed with the ease and simplicity of use – certainly compared to the system I use.
“after just a week, there is a visible difference in my jowl area, and a friend even commented on it. It’s pricey, to be sure, but I am not sorry I bought it!” Review on skin care site
The NuFace device itself is well made and surprisingly elegant – the standard version is white and silver and about the size of a large mobile phone.
Carole Cole claims that NuFace can deliver impressive results in around 5 minutes per day – tighter skin, more defined jaw line and cheekbones, reduction of fine lines and wrinkles, lifted eyebrow, wider eye, and a more youthful glow. You need to use the device at least five days a week for the first three months and then 2-3 times a week to maintain and build on these results.
Although NuFace has only recently been launched – there are only a few user reviews out there but mostly they back up the claims made. I’ve pulled a couple off my favorite skin care site to show you the sort of thing being said. I was unable to find a seriously negative review as yet.
It is claimed that results with NuFace will also build over time and skin will become thicker and more toned with a reduction of jowls and the lines either side of the nose area.
In some cases it is claimed jowls and naso-labial lines can be eliminated completely. Obviously it’s too early to say whether user reviews back up these claims.
I realized when reading about the system and looking at the video that this is – as is claimed – a true microcurrent system and not the same as the device I currently use which uses muscle contractions to temporarily lift the face.
“….this thing does work! I have been toying with the idea of a mini face lift for about a year, but was hoping to postpone it. My area of concern is my jawline which has started to sag and get a little jowly. My husband saw the difference in the shape of my face within the first two weeks, and now even my profile has improved!” Review from SkinStore
After doing all this research – I am seriously considering upgrading and buying the NuFace device for myself since I think it is superior in build quality, ease of use and based on more advanced technology.
One clear advantage is that NuFace works on your face with no pain and no contracting of facial muscles. Many muscle stimulation systems like mine cause slight discomfort and tiny facial contortions which you can’t control.
NuFace can also be used on the body meaning you don’t have to spend more money if you want to tone your tummy or thighs.
Although NuFace is designed to be used with a complementary range of Carole Cole products – the DVD makes it clear you can use your favorite brands – but you must stick with the pre-treatment derma-gel and the recommended optimizing mist for afterwards.
NuFace is selling for $379 – obviously not a cheap addition to your skin care regimen but it does come with a one year full warranty and a 30 day money back guarantee. Whether 30 days is long enough to really put the NuFace system to test is debatable – since the best results will come with prolonged use.
Obviously what you have to do is offset the cost against what you might save on in office microcurrent treatments – at around $100 a go that initial outlay doesn’t seem so bad.
NuFace may be the only FDA approved home microcurrent system currently on the US market but it seems to me – with or without any competition – this product looks like it could be a winner.