TENS, EMS, MENS, MC + DIY Devices
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Sat Nov 30, 2013 4:20 pm

I'd be interested to know what device was used in this recent trial...

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Use of a neuromuscular electrical stimulation device for facial muscle toning: a randomized, controlled trial.
J Cosmet Dermatol. 2012 Dec;11(4):261-6. doi: 10.1111/jocd.12007. | Kavanagh S, Newell J, Hennessy M, Sadick N. | Source Radiology Department, Galway Clinic, Galway, Ireland.

BACKGROUND: Age-related loss of muscle mass contributes to aging of the human face.

AIMS: To evaluate the effects of a neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) device on facial muscle tone and signs of facial aging in healthy women.

PATIENTS/METHODS: One hundred and eight healthy women (mean age 43.7, range 32 to 58-45 years) participated in this randomized, controlled, partially blinded study. Participants were randomized to 12 weeks' treatment with the NMES facial device (20 min/day, 5 days/week) or to a nonintervention control group. Participants could not alter fitness, diet or facial care routines during the study. Assessments included psychometric evaluations of facial appearance and assessor-blinded ultrasound measurements of the thickness of the zygomatic major muscle.

RESULTS: Mean muscle thickness increased vs. baseline in the NMES group (18.6%) but not the control group. Between-group differences were significant at 6 and 12 weeks (P = 0.05 and P = 0.0001). NMES users reported subjective improvements in facial attributes. The control group did not. In an overall evaluation, ≥80% of NMES users reported improved firmness, tone and lift vs. <5% of the control group (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: A 12-week course of facial NMES was associated with increased thickness of the zygomatic major muscle and subjective improvements in facial attributes.

PMID: 23174048

free skin care · Sat Nov 30, 2013 7:06 pm

havana8 wrote:

I'd be interested to know what device was used in this recent trial...

-----
Use of a neuromuscular electrical stimulation device for facial muscle toning: a randomized, controlled trial.
J Cosmet Dermatol. 2012 Dec;11(4):261-6. doi: 10.1111/jocd.12007. | Kavanagh S, Newell J, Hennessy M, Sadick N. | Source Radiology Department, Galway Clinic, Galway, Ireland.

BACKGROUND: Age-related loss of muscle mass contributes to aging of the human face.

AIMS: To evaluate the effects of a neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) device on facial muscle tone and signs of facial aging in healthy women.

PATIENTS/METHODS: One hundred and eight healthy women (mean age 43.7, range 32 to 58-45 years) participated in this randomized, controlled, partially blinded study. Participants were randomized to 12 weeks' treatment with the NMES facial device (20 min/day, 5 days/week) or to a nonintervention control group. Participants could not alter fitness, diet or facial care routines during the study. Assessments included psychometric evaluations of facial appearance and assessor-blinded ultrasound measurements of the thickness of the zygomatic major muscle.

RESULTS: Mean muscle thickness increased vs. baseline in the NMES group (18.6%) but not the control group. Between-group differences were significant at 6 and 12 weeks (P = 0.05 and P = 0.0001). NMES users reported subjective improvements in facial attributes. The control group did not. In an overall evaluation, ≥80% of NMES users reported improved firmness, tone and lift vs. <5% of the control group (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: A 12-week course of facial NMES was associated with increased thickness of the zygomatic major muscle and subjective improvements in facial attributes.

PMID: 23174048

I have a feeling the device used was the "Slendertone Face".

http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01030380

Sat Jun 28, 2014 6:40 pm

I know this thread is kind of old, but has anyone tried the machine and gloves for a knock off Pico that AngelaE8654 suggested? I would like to try it, can't afford a Pico. I would love to hear from anyone who tried this! And Angela, is it still working for you , and what are your results? Thanks!

Mon Jun 30, 2014 12:07 am

Hi all! My name is Cat, on page one a tens unit the same make/model as mine. Unless I have missed ( which is possible as I sit her with my nightly tape under the eyes at 31,grr lol) at what setting are you seeing results results from?

Trial and error doesn't seem to be working, e en with the gloves.

Mon Jun 30, 2014 1:08 pm

Hi Cat! I am thinking about getting that same unit, it's cheap enough. Are you getting any results with it at all? I so want to buy it, but need more feedback. I have no idea what setting you would use for results. I wish Angela would give us an update, are you out there Angela, lol Smile

Mon Jun 30, 2014 4:10 pm

Hi!
Yes I'm seeing results,believe it or not! After 1wk of 10min sessions,using my essential oil serum ( Essence of Inner Beauty Serum #22).I jave it on the lowest possible setting.(I will go into full setting details once I'm home w/ device in hand)

Results as follows:

1- More toning and "lift" around cheek bone, eye and for head area.

2- Pronounced tightening in the under eye bag area. (@ 31 idk why I have thin dilemma lol)

3- skin is more luminous

its subtle,but my DH has even noticed!

I must urge that anyone lookin to try this, please please do your homework on the warnings on the tens unit. To high of a setting can have potential dangerous consequences. Therefor as soon as I am able I wil post setting w/ pictures as soon as I am able. Im curious about our mia Angela lol as I woild like to hear her settings as well. But mine are giving my subtle results so far! Smile

Mon Jun 30, 2014 4:21 pm

Also please excuse my typos, my glasses are mia
Shock

Tue Mar 31, 2015 6:23 am

Ive been researching facial toning with EMS units for about a month now.. Ive read this entire thread but couldnt find any answers to the questions I have. Excuse me if I am ignorant on the subject.

1. How can you tell what the microamps are on a given TENS/EMS device? I have found several combo devices but the micro amps are not listed. How can I tell if they deliver under 500 microamps? Is that adjustable?

2. Of the TENS/EMS devices out there (not the marketed for that purpose products like slendertone, pico or facemaster etc) does anyone have any suggestions on which are the best? What about the InTENsity 10?

3. What benefit do the glove attachments have over the pads?

Thanks!

Sun Oct 11, 2015 2:28 am

sister sweets wrote:

EMS / TENS-type devises, such as some hand held devices on the market today use as much as 3000 ua or more and AC signals that penetrate directly to the muscle causing strong visible muscle contractions. When used cumulatively, muscles can become flaccid. It is not recommended to used EMS / TENS devices that target the muscles eliciting strong contractions on the face.

Hi sister sweets, just wondering Where you got this information from? I could not find anything to correlate with that information.

Also, why is Toby referred to in past tense? Where did she go? I found all her posts very informative as a lurker.

I spent hours doing a lot of research because I recently bought and tried out a cheapie chinese microcurrent device with prongs I got on ebay for AUD $30 including postage. The seller told me the device was between about 1000-1500uA, however nowhere on the box or manual does it say this. I got FANTASTIC instant results from this device, but I was concerned I was doing damage in the long term so I wanted to make sure that isn't the case.

To sum up the basics from everything I have read:

*Microcurrent uses tiny electrical currents between 0 - 8000 uA.

* First human study in 1969 used direct currents of 200-1000 micro amps in 67 patients.

This was repeated in 1976 (73) in 76 patients with 106 ischemia skin ulcers. In 1985 a
randomized controlled study was published (74). All of these studies documented significant accelerated healing with electrical stimulation.

* In 1982, a study done on RATS demonstrated that 500uA showed the most ATP production although 10-1000uA all showed ATP production vs the control, with the 50-1000 range showing the highest stimulatory effects. The conclusion in this study was that currents above 1000uA, ATP concentration levelled, and at 5000uA, ATP concentration was slightly reduced vs the control group.

* EMS has been used successfully to treat facial muscles in people with bell's palsy, as well as preventing muscle disuse atrophy. EMS has also shown to increase muscle strength and muscle recruitment, as well as activate deep muscles.

From all of this, I have come to the conclusion that:

* Microcurrent in the 10-1000uA seems to be the most useful, however slightly above that is NOT damaging.

* People with EMS devices such as slendertone face and tua viso have had great results, nothing to show it is damaging to the face, only thing I have gathered is that it wasn't long lasting.

* Studies done on rats is useful but cannot be used as definitive human results.

I also have the $14 bio wave microcurrent device which I used maybe twice and saw no results, but perhaps I wasn't using it properly. I can't find the manual right now, but from memory I believe the device ranges from 200uA to about 1000uA going up 200uA per setting, if someone else could please confirm?

I got INSTANT results from the cheapie chinese microcurrent device, I am absolutely gobsmacked. I didn't follow the manual (which is actually well written and informative with diagrams, and there is also a CD/DVD which I haven't bothered looking at) but instead I followed the CACI training technique on youtube.

The manual said to only use 2-3 times a week, but I was curious and used it 2 days in a row, today being my second day. I was wondering if I would get even more lift on my 2nd treatment or would I just be maintaining the lift from the 1st treatment? Well, I got even more lift and I look much more youthful, I am ecstatic! The lift from the first treatment was still there 1 day later too.

I was having problems with my lower face. I am carrying a little bit of extra weight, but at a petite 55kg, I am by no means overweight and in the healthy range. I still look young for my age (34) but I had a slightly downturned mouth, my jawline wasn't very defined and a bit heavy looking and I was starting to get minor turkey neck and cording. All of that is pretty much gone after 2 x 5-8min treatments in 2 days. Unbelievable. I have no wrinkles so can't comment on those. I was worried I was finally starting to look middle-aged but that look is now gone! So happy! I am going to combine this device with facial exercises for long term results.

I believe a lot of those expensive devices do work, however a lot of the time you are paying for marketing and branding. I also believe you can't trust everything a company tells you! Sure the seller told me 1000-1500uA, but I have to just take their word for it! People can tell you anything, but the proof is in the pudding.

free skin care · Sun Oct 11, 2015 5:25 am

@exotic.intoxication..If you don't mind me asking...which microcurrent device did you get off of Ebay for $30?

Sun Oct 11, 2015 10:56 pm

tigerlily009 wrote:

@exotic.intoxication..If you don't mind me asking...which microcurrent device did you get off of Ebay for $30?

I don't think I can link to a website as I am new, but just type in ebay this item number: 191711820815

It's called the beautyface microcurrent. I only use it on the lowest setting, which according to the seller is 1uA, which is equivalent to P2 on the pico toner I believe.

There are no clones or rebadged items that look like this one that I am aware of, and believe me, I have looked high and low to see what other people thought of it before I bit the bullet and bought it. Interestingly, I just noticed on the listing it says: "Parts made in USA, Japan & China. Assembled in Australia". Not sure what exactly that means! The seller is in Australia and might only ship within Australia, I dunno.

I did extensive research because I wanted to treat my mum(she has been saving for a lower facelift and hates her neck so much she wears scarves and turtlenecks all the time). Even though I was ok with playing guinea pig on myself, I didn't want to subject her to something that could be dangerous long-term. Anyway, I'm pretty content that I don't think it will do long term damage and will use it on her probably tomorrow!

I just did a third treatment of 10 minutes, and I took before and after pics to make sure it wasn't wishful thinking. There is definite improvements in the photos. I keep admiring my reflection and checking myself out from different angles Embarassed

Can't wait to see what a month will bring!! Very Happy

Wed Oct 14, 2015 4:05 am

Just wanted to update that it's now been about 6 days and I've used it 4 times on myself and once on my mum.

It's taken at least 5 years off me, my neck is youthful looking again and my jaw is much more defined, and my face has the "triangle of beauty" again. I used to have horrible necklace lines on my neck and the top one was quite fatty compared to the rest giving me a neck roll, if you get what I mean. It's pretty much smoothed them out and the neck roll is about 90% gone. I have no doubt it will go away with a few more sessions. The platysma bands are also going away.

I had minor bulging fat pads and they are tightening up too. I think it's also stimulating my skin to produce more oil as my skin is more supple and less dry, although that could be the LED I'm also doing. The last time I looked this good was back in 2010!

I did one treatment on my mother, she is 60. Her crows feet and 11's have reduced and her cheeks are slightly more lifted and firmer. Her eyes have opened up a bit and look more youthful. her forehead is slightly smoother too. Her problem area is her jowls and neck (mine too).

Even though this device is working wonders, I have purchased another microcurrent device as I want something that is in the 500uA range. I bought this one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o31BpGpsri0

Hopefully it works, if not it was a fun experiment lol.

Fri Oct 16, 2015 10:22 pm

whoops, I meant minor bulging fat pads under the eyes. I thought only surgery would fix this and thought I'd need blepharoplasty soon. Hoped facial exercises might help strengthen the muscles/ligaments but wasn't sure if it would work. Well the microcurrent is definitely working to tighten that area up. So much so that I actually need to dissolve the restylane I had injected there to minimise the bags as it is starting to look puffy and unnatural.

free skin care · Sun Nov 01, 2015 3:41 am

Exotic.intoxication, how did your newest microcurrent device work out? I was thinking of getting that model.

free skin care · Sun Nov 01, 2015 7:21 am

Hey! What happened to the device settings information. Can anyone provide details. Do you use the Tens or Ems settings?

free skin care · Sun Nov 01, 2015 7:41 am

Never mind, I just realized that I asked a stupid question. Guess my brain hasn't fully booted up this morning. Tens is for pain management and Ems is for muscle stimulation.

What I should have asked what Ems settings are you all using.

free skin care · Sun Nov 01, 2015 8:26 am

Never mind, I just realized that I asked a stupid question. Guess my brain hasn't fully booted up this morning. Tens is for pain management and Ems is for muscle stimulation.

What I should have asked what Ems settings are you all using.

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