Safety Tip: Microcurrent Facials and Thyroid

Signs of aging like wrinkles and sagging skin not only take a toll on the appearance of our face but can also affect the youthfulness of other areas of our body. At this time, MyoLift is only cleared by the FDA for use on the face and neck but not other areas of the body. To ensure your microcurrent facial treatments are performed with your safety in mind we want to highlight the importance of safe treatment with microcurrent for neck aging. Specifically, we want to highlight the importance of why we must avoid the Thyroid area to prevent adverse side effects from your anti aging treatments.

Is Microcurrent Safe to Use on the Neck

The neck is an area that can be overlooked when we are doing our skincare routine. Microcurrent is one of the fastest growing, non-invasive and safe facial modalities and can be used on the neck area to help to tighten some of the loose skin that can happen over time as we age. While microcurrent is a safe modality to use on your neck, it should not be used on the area of your neck where the Thyroid is located. We remind you to avoid the thyroid area because we don't want to cause over stimulation to the thyroid by applying microcurrent, which works by delivering a small electrical current to the muscles to lift and tone the facial muscles at the source. Because the current penetrates deeper than the top layer of skin, it can interfere with the hormones produced by the Thyroid. This is the only part of the neck that you will not see microcurrent training and movement direction for because it should be avoided entirely for safest results.

If you have a diagnosed Thyroid condition, microcurrent is still safe to use so long as you follow the guidelines noted in this article.

Why you must avoid the Thyroid Area with Microcurrent 

The Thyroid is a gland responsible for producing hormones that have a direct influence on many functions of our body. As we mentioned above, microcurrent technology works by delivering small electrical current to the muscles beneath the skin which stimulates them to lift and tone of facial muscles at the source. It should be no surprise that if the current is just strong enough to stimulate our muscles it can also stimulate the Thyroid gland. Because of this, it is important to be mindful of your microcurrent use in this area. Interfering with or disrupting the Thyroid functions with microcurrent can result in various adverse symptoms from weight fluctuation, extreme fatigue and soreness of the body, and even infertility due to overstimulation (Women’s Health Magazine, 2018). 

What to keep in mind when using Microcurrent on the Neck

The most important thing to keep in mind when using microcurrent technology on the neck is to avoid the Thyroid area. By “Thyroid area”, we are referring to the middle and lower part of the center of your neck. See photo for reference and explore Google Images if you are uncertain. 

We know that the area right under the chin is a common trouble area and concern for us as we age, endearingly referred to as the “turkey neck”. Since this is right under the chin and not associated with the Thyroid area, it is safe to use Microcurrent to try and improve the appearance and tightness in this area.

Remember that when you are using microcurrent you are working on muscles lying beneath the skin. This process can be timely for optimal results and it is something you need to be consistent with for capitalizing on its benefits. It is also helpful to perform slower microcurrent movements on the neck for best results.

Side Effects of Microcurrent

The side effects of using microcurrent therapy around the Thyroid area may significantly impact different people in various ways. The side effects of using microcurrent therapy around the thyroid area will not be a one-size-fits-all experience and ultimately is best not to risk. With side effects ranging from bodily swelling, changes in your skin and hair as well as negative changes mentioned previously like weight gain and infertility the side effects of microcurrent used on the thyroid are vast and unpredictable. Practicing a safe distance from your Thyroid is the best way to ensure your safety with microcurrent technology.

Aside from that, another very common “side-effect” you should be aware of during your microcurrent facials are what we describe as “strobing” visual sensations when you are performing movements underneath the eye, around the brow area or bunny lines and when working on crows feet to the sides of the eyes. Also be aware that you may experience a metallic taste in your mouth when treating the areas around the mouth like frown lines, nasolabial folds and lines on the chin. While both of these sensations are completely normal, if you find they cause discomfort we recommend reducing the intensity on your device. With MyoLift devices, the intensity level can be adjusted but this is not the same for each microcurrent device on the market.

If you have a history of epilepsy you may want to consider a different option for facal lifting and toning around the eye or simply avoid the eye area while performing microcurrent facial treatments. For a full list of contraindications or medical conditions that may not be suitable for microcurrent therapy,  click here.