What is doing Red lightThe Micro currentshells, micronedling and Laser hair removal Everyone has in common? For starters, they are all treatments that you can get during the care of a professional, but they are also available to you in your home with the right beauty. We love the convenience of being able to improve our skin with a click on a button while sitting on the sofa, but it is not to say that beauty treatments at home are idiot.
This is the tip of the mind right now for January 17, Tictok user Amina of @itemy Published one NU-Viral Video To claim that a popular, celebrity-approved skin care device made her experience Bell’s palsy, a temporary weakness or paralysis on one side of the face. In the video she said she only used the device twice on her lowest level before she immediately noticed a problem.
The device in question is Medicube Age-R Booster Prowhich has a variety of functions, including micro current, LED and electromagnetic stimulation. People in the comments were understandably worried, but it may not be time to ditch your tool yet. The brand has released a statement disproves statementsProvides an in -depth response confirming that Booster Pro does not cause Bell’s palsy. In addition, we talked to experts who believe it is very unlikely to be related. (FWIW, one of our PS editors has also used the unit itself on several occasions without any problems.) To get to the bottom of this event, we talked to three doctors who shared more about Bell’s palsy, so it is not necessary to ditch your Beauty tools and the importance of following instructions when using devices at home.
Experts displayed in this article
Konstantin VasyukevichMD, is a double board-certified face plastic surgeon in New York.
Kellie ReedMD, is a board -certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin, Texas.
Kunal MalikMD, is a board -certified general and cosmetic dermatologist located in New York.
What is Bell’s palsy and can micro current cause it?
“Bell’s palsy occurs when the facial nerve, which controls these muscles, becomes inflamed or compressed,” says Constantine Vasyukevich, MD, double painting-certified face plastic surgeon. “Although it is often suspected to be linked to viral infections, the condition is classified as idiopathic facial paralysis, which means its exact cause is unknown.” One of the features of the Medicube Age-R Booster Pro unit is microström, which is not unique to this specific unit-there are many other micro-current units on the market right now. “Since the exact cause of Bell’s palsy is unknown, we cannot definitely say that skin care devices or treatments cause nerve damage,” says Dr. Vasyukevich. “However, it is very unlikely that something without disk would cause this condition.”
The (rare) risks that can come up with beauty tools
As I said, you can use this event as an alarm clock to educate yourself on how to use your beauty units correctly. As good (and safe) as most of this technology is, it is still important that you know what you are doing.
With micro current, “risks of incorrect handling or use of an damaged device can lead to less electrical shock or deterioration of skin conditions such as various inflammatory conditions in the skin such as acne or rosacea,” says board -certified dermatologist Kellie Reed, MD. “It is important to know that it can interfere with certain medical appliances such as pacemaker or metal implants.”
In addition, board -certified dermatologists Kunal Malik notes that the use of micro current devices without leading gel can cause skin irritation and compromise treatment efficiency. However, most of these problems can be avoided by following appropriate instructions specified by the manufacturer.
Microurrent is not the only type of home to the home that you should be careful. Brescent LED therapy, which is proclaimed for its ability to fight signs of aging and banish acne, also requires a level of care. “With LED lighting therapy, improper use as excessive treatment duration or incorrect distance from the skin potentially leads to hyperpigmentation or even burns,” says Dr. Malik. “I have seen patients’ melasma or hyperpigmentation exacerbated from over -use red light therapy.”
Micronedling at home is another example of a treatment that requires some caution. Since the needles create micro-teaars in the skin, it is imperative to ensure that your tool is properly sterilized and that you do not puncture the skin for depth. “Micronedling at home has the potential for complications including infections, scarring and hyperpigmentation,” says Dr. Malik. This does not make any of these treatments less good or meant that you should refrain from all of them together – you just need to make sure you follow the instructions with the tool.
How to safely use beauty tools at home
In addition to getting acquainted with a tool before you start using it, the experts have some additional tips to share. Make sure you follow the instructions included in your device and consult with your doctor or dermatologist if you plan to use more than one at the same time. “In addition, I recommend that my patients start with the lowest setting or the shortest treatment time recommended, and then gradually increases based on their skin response,” says Dr. Malik. “Consistence with proper use will always produce better results than aggressive overuse.”
Another thing to note? Make sure you clean some devices that touch your skin regularly. “I feel that maintenance and proper cleaning of units are often overlooked,” says Dr. Malik. “Even the safest device can be harmful if it is not properly cleaned between the use.”
In the end? Do your research. Home beauty tools can be a convenient and secure way to strengthen your skincare routine, but as Dr. Reed puts it, “It is important to always read the instructions and use the units properly to minimize potential side effects, unwanted unwanted results or damage to the skin.”
Renee Rodriguez (She/her) is a staff writer and social producer for PS. She writes all verticals, but her main areas of expertise focus on fashion and beauty content with emphasis on reviews and editor experiments. She also produces social content for PS TikTok and Instagram accounts.
