NuFace, Foreo Bear, and Ziip Dermatologist Review

NuFace, Foreo Bear, and Ziip - Are they worth the price tag?

Microcurrent devices are all over social media lately, but do they meet the hype check? I review the science on microcurrent devices in this video (in painstaking detail). Let me know your experience with these devices in the comments!

My final thoughts: We need double-blinded randomized controlled trials to evaluate these devices. Here's how it's done - Non-working devices are used on the control group and then real devices are used on the treatment group. Next, an INDEPENDENT reviewer that does not know which device was used evaluates the subjects. Unfortunately, when the person evaluating the results knows which subject was treated or which side of the face was treated, this leads to inherent bias and is a much weaker form of investigation!

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Sources:
1. Kahn DM, et al. Overview of current thoughts on facial volume and aging. Facial Plast Surg. 2010
2. Cotofana S. et al. Anatomy of the Aging Face: A Review. Facial Plast Surg. 2016
3. Kavanagh S, Use of a neuromuscular stimulation device for facial muscle toning: a randomized, controlled trial. J Cosmet Dermatology 2012
4. Fujiya H, et al. Microcurrent electrical neuromuscular stimulation facilitates regeneration of injured skeletal muscle in mice. J Sports Sci Med. 2015
5. Lee RC, et al. A review of the biophysical basis for the clinical application of electric fields in soft-tissue repair. J Burn Care Rehabil. 1993
6. Alam M. Association of Facial Exercise With the Appearance of Aging. JAMA Dermatol. 2018
7. Ibrahim ZM, et al. Negative pressure wound therapy versus microcurrent electrical stimulation in wound healing in burns. J Wound Care. 2019
8. Kwon DR, et al. Short-term microcurrent electrical neuromuscular stimulation to improve muscle function in the elderly: A randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled clinical trial. Medicine (Baltimore). 2017
9. Lee S, et al. A prospective examination of the efficacy of 2 noninvasive devices for treatment of the aging face. Arch Facial Plast Surg. 2006
10. Gosain AK, et al. A volumetric analysis of soft-tissue changes in the aging midface using high-resolution MRI: implications for facial rejuvenation. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2005

[jenluv]

Thank you! I'm 3 weeks into trying the NuFace for review and I was like... maybe I see something? Do I see something? I don't think I see something... Haha!

[z.p.]

Science vs personal experience. I'm always in the science team, but this time must say ... Foreo Bear works for me. I got it as a gift and was extremely sceptical, but because I didn't want to upset the person who spent such a big amount of money to get it for me I've started using it religiously and I see the results. It's not spectacular, but my jaw line is much sharper, my cheekbones are more visible and my forehead is smoother. I can consider myself as a single case study if you will, but yeah, surprisingly for me, it bloody works. One thing, you need to use it consistently, every day and wet your face a bot before applying gel. It also took me a while to find my gel. The Foreo one and NuFace irritated me, I tried Korean aloe vera gel and it's much better. I wash my face afterwards.
P. S. I'm 40 years old with quite good genes and do botox only in the area between my eyebrows. However, my skin elasticity is not great and that's why I think older population is more likely to see the results. There's not much to fix if you're in your 20s.

[annettehorne]

I'm a licensed medical aesthetician and I been doing microcurrent on clients for 16 years. I have clients that were suffering from TMJ pain and I used the microcurrent gloves and this was the only way to get rid of the pain. These clients were on some serious medications that weren't working, spent alot of money on pain management and therapy, suffered for years with headaches. My clients come religiously for microcurrent facial, if they go 2 or 3 months without, the pain comes back. I have another client that suffered from fibromyalgia, and she swears my facial is the remedy. These women are 60- 70 plus yrs old. I also do radiofrequency skintightening treatments, so they definitely look very young for their ages. Today I turn 63 and no believes me, i usually get asked to see my ID and I love it! Lol
My clients stopped using botox and fillers and depend on me to keep their skin fabulous.

[SouthernPeaches]

I turned off the volume and just read the comments. THANKS EVERYONE for your simple and honest reviews. 💐💜☀️

[swtm]

I have been using micro currents for years now, it does work if you are consistent. It’s been a trend in Asian beauty industry before it hit the US market. I use the brand LG, and I really like it.

[whatsonvisface]

science is so sexy! Thank you for this review doc!

[gtan]

I know microcurrent device is a splurge for something that doesn't have conclusive research yet but I strongly believe it's a better way to spend money on than splurging on Creme de La Mer or La Prairie skin caviar if one has the money.

[susanyakus]

The only thing I will disagree with is your age difference. You are young and your skin is toned. You should not notice any difference. I am 70 and I notice a big difference when I use my Myolift Mini. I am also thinking about getting the ZIIP. I just don't think you are able to do a real comparison on your skin.

[TheKmonta]

I found your channel while I'm considering purchasing the NuFace. I appreciate your commentary and opinion. With all due respect, you may be too young to actually see a difference after trying it. You don't have any wrinkles or look old enough to show any signs of aging to see improvement on. I do, however, appreciate your opinion because this device is very expensive. I am in my 60s and I have, in the past, used fillers and microdermabrasion treatment. Since COVID, I am just exploring ideas that I can use at home. I work in healthcare myself and have had COVID twice, so I want to try to minimize my exposure to people and still take care of my skin, as far as anti-aging is concerned. Thanks for your opinion and advice. Stay healthy and safe in your practice.

[jodinyxsoul]

I'm nearly 50. I use the NuFace mini and didn't notice a difference until about 60 days in. I used it everyday for 5 minutes (sometimes longer...I find it relaxing) as part of my night time skin care routine. I now use it 3 or 4 times a week. I love science and while I can appreciate that there are no definitive studies proving that microcurrent works, I believe the results and I will continue to use mine. Thank you for the review!

As an aside, does anyone here watch Lisa Eldridge? She has used a NuFace for years and I notice a difference in her face now as compared to her older videos. Seeing that change in her face further convinced me to purchase one.

[joliejolie]

4 years using Nuface it does work for me. It lifts and plumps my skin. I cannot live without the device. I use it daily for 20 minutes.

[elizabethg]

I use Myolift. I’ve been using micro current for 30 years. It does make a difference - but over a long period of time. I am 56. If I don’t use the device, I actually notice a difference, a big difference especially in my neck! We all have to do what is right and works for ourselves! Sunscreen, Retin A and Myolift is a protocol that has worked and is working for me.

[sandooch]

I've been using the Feipushi microcurrent device for a few months now and loving my results! My brows and eyelids have lifted and so has my 58-year-old neck. My jawline is tighter and my cheeks feel firmer. I used it 6 days a week for the first 2 months and now only need to use it 3 times a week to maintain those results. Wish YouTube let us post before and after pictures so that I could show you my results from this inexpensive little tool. I love it and will always use it. :)

[stephaniesamuel]

I wholeheartedly agree!! The typical consumer does research on their product especially now. These companies ought to invest in a double blind clinical trial without photo shopped images published for the world to see. It's not about "believing" in a product, it's trusting it.

[anacarr]

Thank you sooo much for doing hours of research to give us honest reviews! I love learning about the science behind it. We appreciate you Dr. Shah!

[maybematlin]

Over the past few weeks I realized my skin needed a pick me up. Tonight I whipped my Nuface out after months of not using it and saw a difference right away. My under eyes were puffy and I just looked tired. After this one use, I swear my cheek bones and under eyes look lifted and awake. I did this treatment before bed but honestly the pick me up felt motivating no matter what time it is and I look forward to looking fresh tomorrow. Gravity is real and anything to help us not look tired or older. Anything helps. Serums, fillers and facial stimulators. Just do it ladies!

[ilona]

Maybe... when you don't have anything to improve it can't be improved with any device? 🙂

[dondivillanueva]

maybe because microcurrent devices have more pronounced effects on older users, like those over 50 etc?

[DonnaRhodesletstakeupmakeup]

I can honestly say that I see a difference the day after I use my NuFace. I love what it does for my face...I'm also a more mature, aging face.

[motheofbean]

I’ve been using the NuFACE for the past three years and have seen an absolute overall lift and firmness of my face!!!