Microcurrent and Neurotransmitter Release: Exploring the Effects on Facial Muscles

Facial muscles are important in maintaining the structure of the skin. The muscles underneath the skin are responsible for moving your face with various expressions, masticating, and chewing. We have more than two dozen facial muscles on each side to conduct these daily functions efficiently. 

There may be a loss of muscle tone with aging and cause saggy skin. Other aging signs, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots, may also become more pronounced. Due to this, several people may look for ways to minimize or prevent these aging signs. One way to retain youthfulness is to work out those facial muscles. To do this, you may get microcurrent facial therapy that reaches deep within the dermis.

Microcurrent facials are the absolute new buzz for skin rejuvenation and anti-aging therapy. Subjecting the skin to tiny currents is deemed to be effective in stimulating facial muscles. As the facial muscles become more toned and defined, the facial appearance improves with less visible wrinkles. Learn more about how microcurrent releases neurotransmitters for muscle toning. 

Relationship Between Skin and Neurotransmitters

Skin aging is a natural process that is paired with the loss of physiological integrity and reparative functions. The ability of the body to react and recover from internal and external stress is reduced. Aging impacts the skin due to internal genetic and ethnic factors. In addition, factors such as pollution, lifestyle, and ultraviolet exposure may lead to deterioration. 

Young skin can bounce back quicker due to the regulation of cutaneous neuroendocrine systems. With age, the production of neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, and hormones reduces and signals aging with several signs. 

The neurotransmitters lose their ability to conduct reparative pathological functions. Due to this, epidermal, hypodermal, and dermal functions are affected and cause irreversible damage. This damage may also be due to wounds and similar impacts on the skin surface.

The inflammatory phase of healing begins as soon as the skin gets cut or wound. This healing phase releases neurotransmitters like serotonin and melanin, growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines. Serotonin, also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), is a monoamine neurotransmitter in the neurons. This serotonin molecule may also be detected with the use of immunocytochemistry. 

An electrochemical detector shows this expression of the 5-HT immune response in the cutaneous mast cells. This process is completed by endogenous serotonin through the proliferation and migration of keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Proper wound healing may not be possible without serotonin. 

In a study, the effect of the neurotransmitter serotonin was studied on human fibroblasts. The results concluded serotonin treatment improved cell survival. At the same time, interruption in serotonin levels reduced cell viability.

The study was significant for understanding how serotonin promoted cellular viability in wound healing, proliferation, and migration of fibroblasts and neonatal keratinocytes. 

The newly created fibroblasts help in the formation of collagen. This kickstart of fibroblast, collagen, and elastin in the skin can be healing and rejuvenating. As a result, serotonin or 5HTR agonists may potentially enhance the skin healing process.

Impact of Microcurrent Therapy on Facial Muscles 

Lately, microcurrent therapy has been effective in diminishing saggy skin and aging signs. As we said earlier, microcurrent is like a mini workout session for facial muscles. A tiny electric voltage passes a small current through the skin. As the human body works using bioelectric signals, microcurrent mimics these signals. 

In a study, the impact of microcurrent on muscles was researched further using the microcurrent electrical neuromuscular stimulation (MENS) method. Ten participants were given a task of constant load cycling and active/inactive stimulation to one quadricep. 

After each session, the blood's pulmonary oxygen, muscle deoxyhemoglobin, and lactate levels were calculated. Alongside, heart rate and hemodynamic parameters were also calculated. The area with microcurrent stimulation had a faster recovery rate with lower lactate levels and faster deoxyhemoglobin. 

In conclusion, microcurrent electrical neuromuscular stimulation helped in faster muscle recovery in comparison to the non-treated side. 

How does Microcurrent Reduce Wrinkles?

Microcurrent is a non-surgical skin rejuvenation therapy. It has the ability to penetrate deep inside the dermis to trigger fibroblasts and collagen production. With a rise in collagen in the skin, it will bounce back faster and repair itself quickly. This may reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

Microcurrent therapy is ideal for people wishing to get a facelift and wrinkle reduction minus the side effects of going under the knife. All these claims are not anecdotal, as research has been done to study the microcurrent effect on wrinkles. 

In a recent study, thirty women up to the age of 45 participated in a microcurrent clinical trial. They all had visible wrinkles with no other skin conditions. Initially, the information on wrinkles and photos were taken to compare the skin after treatment. 

They all were given microcurrent therapy for twenty minutes for thirty consecutive sessions. Final readings and photos were taken one month after the treatment ended. The result was in favor of microcurrent therapy with forehead wrinkle reduction by 21.18% and nose and mouth wrinkle reduction by 5.18%. 

Over 70% of participants were satisfied with how their skin improved after a month of treatment. Moreover, none of the participants reported side effects or pain during and after the microcurrent session. 

Microcurrent Therapy At Home

With the availability of at-home microcurrent devices, it's convenient and easy to get the benefits. You no longer need to schedule spas and esthetician clinics. Investing in at-home therapy is an excellent investment since you will need more than one session to see the desired results. 

We suggest using a professional-grade quality device like the EvenSkyn Phoenix Face Lifting Microcurrent Bar for total face rejuvenation. Its body is made from metal alloy material for durability and has an ergonomic grip handle. 

The top comes with four massaging rollers designed at a 115-degree angle for maximum contact with the skin. It has an undetectable 15-microampere current. You'll need fifteen minutes to treat one relaxing area that does not cause pain. 

Just use it in a well-lit area for the solar cells to work. Doing a facial and neck massage may take 40-50 minutes. You may notice the deep kneading massage and microcurrent effect on the skin with consistent use. 

Benefits of Microcurrent Facials 

Microcurrent facials promote cell growth and collagen. Here are some more ways consistent microcurrent facials may help you: 

• Toning saggy skin: As microcurrent works on muscles under the skin, it tones them and gives a lifted appearance. 

• Inflammation reduction: One non-cosmetic benefit of microcurrent is that it may reduce chronic sinus congestion, making you feel better and focus on looking radiant. 

• Wound healing: Microcurrent facials may reduce wounds and promote healing due to the release of various neurotransmitters and collagen. Also, this may help with acute and chronic acne and other conditions such as psoriasis. 

• Wrinkle reduction: As mentioned earlier, microcurrent may reduce the appearance of age spots, mild wrinkles, and fine lines on the skin. 

• Improved blood circulation: Applying an electric current to the skin may improve blood circulation. As a result, the skin may appear firm, youthful, and radiant. 

Wrapping Up

Now you know the science behind microcurrent facials and their effect on neurotransmitter release. These processes occur naturally in the body but get slower due to aging and other factors. 

Skin and muscle aging is natural; however, you can take control of the situation with microcurrent facials. It is non-invasive and painless. Therefore, there is no need to worry about recovery and scars. With consistent use, you may see a massive difference in the skin appearance and muscle toning. 

References: 

1. Sadiq A, Shah A, Jeschke MG, Belo C, Qasim Hayat M, Murad S, Amini-Nik S. "The Role of Serotonin during Skin Healing in Post-Thermal Injury." Int J Mol Sci. March 2018 
2. Sadiq A, Menchetti I, Shah A, Jeschke MG, Belo C, Carlos-Alcalde W, Hayat MQ, Amini-Nik S. "5-HT1A Receptor Function Makes Wound Healing a Happier Process." Front Pharmacol. December 2018 
3. Enkhtaivan E, Lee CH. "Role of Amine Neurotransmitters and Their Receptors in Skin Pigmentation: Therapeutic Implication." July 2021 
4. Nives Pondeljak, Liborija Lugović-Mihić. "Stress-induced Interaction of Skin Immune Cells, Hormones, and Neurotransmitters." May 2020
5. Bocheva G, Slominski RM, Slominski AT. "Neuroendocrine Aspects of Skin Aging." Int J Mol Sci. June 2019 
6. Fatemeh Saniee, Hamid Reza. "Consider of Micro-Current's effect to variation of Facial Wrinkle trend, Randomized Clinical Trial Study." July 2012
7. Westbrook, Nessel, Hohman. "Anatomy, Head and Neck: Facial Muscles." September 2022
8. Xu X, Zhang H, Yan Y, Wang J, Guo L. "Effects of electrical stimulation on the skin surface." Acta Mech Sin. February 2021
9. Yu C, Hu ZQ, Peng RY. "Effects and mechanisms of a microcurrent dressing on skin wound healing: a review." Mil Med Res. November 2014