Skin Gym Microcurrent Wand: Unfortunately, this device is not FDA-approved, so I wouldn’t feel comfortable recommending it. If you do purchase it, I would be careful about the intensity and around the eyes, since it made spots appear across my vision briefly during use. The instructions for this device do not say anything about using it on the sides of the neck, so I avoided that area. It also requires batteries and cannot be recharged, which I personally don’t find to be ideal. The device itself felt lighter and cheaper than the other devices, which makes sense, as it costs $99. As for the gel, like many of the others I tested, it did not last throughout the entire treatment.
Medicube Age-R Booster Pro: Though I enjoyed using the device and think it has a great design, it is not FDA-approved. That is likely because it’s made in Korea, not the US. It is designed to create a glass-skinned appearance. It has four modes, each with five levels of intensity: Booster (electroporation for glowing skin), MC (microcurrent for volumizing lines), Derma Shot (electrical muscle stimulation for facial contouring) and Air Shot (electric needles for tightening pores). It also provides LED light therapy. I wish the device had more information about what specifically happens when each mode is used. Instead, I had to do my research to learn more to feel safe and confident when using the device.
For the microcurrent specifically, it says you don’t need a conductive gel and can use regular skin care, but I didn’t find this to be the case. If I used my regular moisturizer, it was not long-lasting and slick enough for the treatment. I started at the level one intensity and worked my way up, but I found the sensation intense sufficient to warrant a conductive gel, so I used my ZIIP one. I would be cautious around the eyes with the higher intensities.
As for the AGE-R app, it offers a tracking calendar, visual progress tracking, guided videos and personalized device settings. However, the guided videos called “Shorts” felt more like social media videos, and I wish they were more curated and involved specific voice instructions.
I liked the device’s design with its screen and found it easy to hold and maneuver over the face. There is also a voice that states which mode you’re on, the intensity and how many minutes have passed during the treatment, which is a great accessibility feature. No stand is needed since the device can stand upright on its own, and I like that the charger connects to the top of the device so that it can still stand on a countertop when being charged.
A recent viral TikTok video has said that this device can cause Bell’s palsy, which is paralysis or weakness on one side of the face caused by nerve damage. Medicube has responded, calling the claim “misleading” and stating that the device’s electrical stimulation cannot cause nerve damage because it operates at a low output between 7mA and 14mA, which is lower than other devices and cannot cause nerve damage or paralysis.
