I have been a fan of microcurrent since I tried it the first time, six years ago, as a 39-year-old. With the right device, microcurrent gives your face a natural lift and plumpness. But what about wrinkles and fine lines? Can microcurrent stimulate the production of collagen in the face? This post will explain it all!
This post is sponsored by ZIIP Beauty. And of course, all opinions are my own.
This is what my post will cover:
What is collagen and why does it decline?
Let’s start by explaining what collagen is. As that’s needed to understand how to create more of it in the skin. I have already explained a lot about collagen in other posts, since my whole blog is about anti aging. So if you have read that already, simply skip this part.
Collagen is a body-made protein whose function is to be building blocks in your skin as well as hair, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and bones. It is the main structural protein in these tissues, accounting for 30 % of the body’s total protein.
As we age, collagen production goes down. For the skin that means more wrinkles and lines (learn the foundation of how to prevent wrinkles here). But there are ways to slow down this process, and even to increase the production like when we were younger. I’ll get back to that.
Where does collagen come from?
Collagen is made up of 19 amino acids and is produced by cells called fibroblasts. Which are living in our connective tissues (such as the skin).
Another structural protein that is produced by fibroblasts is elastin. And this protein creates an important network together with collagen. Elastin is what makes the skin stretch and bounce back, and is therefore just as important for younger skin. And just as collagen, it depletes as you age.
Even though the production of collagen and elastin decreases as we get older, there are natural ways to impede this decline. Sunscreen, proper sleep, diet, exercise, and other lifestyle factors play a huge role. And you can read about them all throughout this blog. But now, let’s dig deeper into how microcurrent can assist your skin to produce more collagen.
Does microcurrent stimulate collagen?
The short answer is yes, absolutely. With a good microcurrent at-home-device you can make a noticeable difference if you are patient and consistent.
Microcurrent, which is a very mild electrical current (you can read more about microcurrent here) is mostly used for toning and countering of the face. Since it works on the facial muscles. But on a deeper level, it does more! It has the ability to increase something called ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is cellular energy needed for the fibroblasts to create collagen and elastin.
This cellular energy also decreases with age. Which in turn is why collagen production decreases. Less ATP simply means less collagen and elastin, and more wrinkles.
On top of that, lifestyle factors such as sun bathing (this in particular plays a major role), insufficient sleep, bad diet, and pollution contribute to the breakdown of collagen and elastin.
Microcurrent and ATP production
Treatments with microcurrent can increase ATP by up to 500 %. On top of that, microcurrent can increase fibroblastic activity directly, as well as cell permeability and blood circulation. But the major collagen effect is from the boost in ATP.
So every time you do a treatment with a good microcurrent device, you’ll increase ATP and stimulate more collagen production. As well as the production of elastin. Which leads to smoother and more elastic skin over time.
Besides microcurrent, there is another, even lower current, that has this ability. It is called nanocurrent and is a fundamental part of ZIIP Halo
Nanocurrent vs Microcurrent
Everyone who has heard about nanocurrent keeps asking me if it is better than microcurrent when it comes to producing more collagen. So let’s answer this question.
Nanocurrent is a much lower electrical current than microcurrent. And these waveforms work more on the surface (in other words, the skin), while microcurrent goes deeper down to the muscle. What this means is that nanocurrent is even better at stimulating collagen- and elastin production in the skin. But it does not reach down to the muscles such as microcurrent does.
So in other words, nanocurrent is better at treating and preventing wrinkles and fine lines. As well as to keep the skin more elastic over time. But microcurrent is better at contouring, lifting, and to give an immediate tightening of the face.
How to use ZIIP Halo for collagen production
ZIIP Halo is the only device that I know of that has both microcurrent and nanocurrent. And you can use them either separately, or mixed. The device has 13 programs to choose from.
If your goal is to increase collagen in your skin, the program called Founder’s favorite is your best choice. Since it only has nanocurrent. This program is suitable for every skin type, even the most sensitive ones. And besides increasing collagen and elastin, it has a very healing effect on the skin.
You use the device on clean skin and together with a conductive gel. My favorites are crystal gel and golden gel. And of these two, golden gel has more anti aging ingredients. But crystal gel is better for sensitive skin. I alternate between them both.
Tip: This post goes deeper into why you need a conductivity gel.
Make sure to use an oil-free cleanser, since oils will hinder the electrical current. And make sure your device is fully charged.
You also need to download the ZIIP Beauty app, and from there choose the program founder’s favorite.
This program is ten minutes long. And for best effect, use it every day or as often as you can. And in all the areas where you want to treat and prevent lines and wrinkles.
This program does not work on your muscles, nor the lymphatic system (yes, ZIIP has programs that work on your lymphatic system too!). And it is therefore completely safe to freeform and even hold still over your areas of concern.
Tip: Learn more about ZIIP Halo in my post about microcurrent and sagging skin, and my post about how ZIIP helped my melasma.
My personal experience
I fell in love with ZIIP six years ago, when I was trying out different microcurrent devices. It quickly became my favorite and has been since then. This is also the reason why I have accepted to do a series of sponsored posts with ZIIP Beauty. I think ZIIP has helped my skin in so many ways, and it definitely has helped me prevent new lines in my face.
I use my ZIIP 2-3 times per week. Before I had kids I used it 4-5 times per week. But now as a busy mom, I just don’t have the time. And sometimes I am happy with just one session per week.
I share my routine in this post, and founder’s favorite is always included. With this program I like to work around my eyes and mouth and then all around the face.
I get an amazing glow immediately after. And long term, I am convinced it has helped keep wrinkles at bay. Even though other factors are important too.
Treating wrinkles and lines with natural collagen production takes time. So make sure to invest time for at least a few months before evaluating. I have used my ZIIP for some years now and I am sure it helps my 45-year-old skin to be younger. But I have not had any lines or wrinkles that have bothered me in the first place. So for me it has mostly been preventive when it comes to that part.
If you want to try this device for yourself, the code ZIIPWITHANN gives you ten percent off. If you live in the US or Canada, use this link.
For those of you who live in UK, use this link instead. And for the rest of Europe, use this one.
If you live in Asia, this link is the one for you.
I hope you found this post helpful! Make sure to check out my other posts about microcurrent and ZIIP if you want to learn more. And let me know in the comments below if you have any questions.
Until next time, love your skin!