CACI micro-current is our most popular non-surgical facial treatment. This page answers the questions we are asked most often – how it works, whether it is right for you, what to expect, and what it will not do.
If you would rather see the treatments and prices, our CACI treatment menu lists them all.
What does CACI micro-current do?
- Non invasive
- Enhances natural features
- Softens and reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines
- Encourages collagen production to plump tissue
- Lifts sagging muscles
- Tones flabby or sunken areas
- Tightens and reduces open pores
- Improves colour and texture of the skin
- Reduces puffiness and dark circles under eyes
- Gives youthful appearance to the skin
- Takes 10 to 12 sessions over 5 to 6 weeks and then just monthly sessions to maintain
- One of the safest facial treatments available – non-invasive, with no needles and no downtime
Does CACI really work?
Yes – although results will vary depending on the nature of your skin, tissue and muscles. For the younger person or the person with good facial structure, Microcurrent is a workout for the facial muscles and, in hand with regular skin care, will help to delay the ageing process.
For those whose features are already beginning to slacken, the Microcurrent will remind the muscles what they should be doing, whether the muscles need to relax, such as on the forehead and frown lines, or need to tighten, such as the cheeks, brows and neck.
Over time, the treatment will help promote collagen production and stimulate tissue and muscle mass, which is essential to the anti-ageing process.
It will not eliminate creases or deep wrinkles but will soften them. Although Micro-current is often referred to as the Non-Surgical Facelift, in practice it has a natural effect with comments such as “you look great”, “you look five years younger”, “have you had your hair done”, and “have you been on holiday?” Just like working out in the gym, you will need to have maintenance treatments in order to keep the gains made.
How does CACI Microcurrent work?
Microcurrent was originally used in the medical world to treat Bell’s Palsy. It was used to restore muscle tone by applying tiny microcurrent electrical impulses to the affected muscles. It is now being increasingly used for a variety of uses, including promoting soft tissue repair.
As we grow older, our facial muscles naturally start to lose tone and elasticity, making us look older.
Microcurrent treatments apply tiny pulses of energy through cotton-tipped probes into the tissue and muscle and out again to the other cotton-tipped probe. The muscle is either stretched or squeezed as the energy passes through. The tiny current stimulates the Golgi mechanism, or brain, of the muscle to remind it what it used to do. As with any muscle work, it takes a number of sessions for the results to build up and stay. As well as affecting the muscle structure, the Micro-current stimulates collagen production and generally helps with the skin tone.
Why have a CACI Microcurrent treatment?
Following over 20 years of research and development, CACI International offers a solution to combat this loss of muscle tone using CACI Microcurrent facial toning therapy.
CACI uses a unique combination of specific waveforms and ultra-low frequencies that work in harmony with the body’s own bio-electrical field, transmitting tiny electrical impulses and signals that have been documented to stimulate muscle tone and enhance skin tissue.
CACI uses a unique bio-feedback mechanism that automatically adjusts the micro-current output delivered according to each client’s bio-electrical field.
This proven technology is available in thousands of aesthetic clinics as it is a painless, effective treatment, commonly referred to as “facial toning” or “the Non-Surgical Facelift”.
What does a CACI Microcurrent treatment involve?
At Cheshire Lasers, our CACI Microcurrent treatments include an express facial, beginning with a thorough cleanse. We then apply a thin layer of Micro-current gel. The CACI machine then delivers the treatment energy using two sets of probes that stretch or tighten the muscles. You may feel the tugging and pulling from these actions and will soon grow used to them. You may end up sleeping and feeling incredibly relaxed! We will treat each area several times. You might feel a small sensation from the current, but likely only around the upper lip, which could be like a tingling. You may sometimes have an interesting flashing when working around the eyes, although these have never yet been migraine-inducing. If you have metal fillings, you may taste the metal in your mouth when working on the outside of your cheeks!
We will remove the gel and cleanse your face once again before applying serums, moisturiser and an SPF chosen especially for your skin. For the first treatment, allow an extra 20 minutes to perform a consultation and to take photographs.
Treatment sessions vary from 15 to 70 minutes, depending on the treatment you have.
We will take Photographs at the beginning and end of the treatment course for comparison. We never use photos without your consent.
Am I suitable for CACI Microcurrent treatment?
Yes, Microcurrent is suitable for most individuals, for all ages from 30s through to 70s; however, results will very much depend on the individual.
Most people can have this treatment with the usual exceptions such as pregnancy; skin thinning medications such as Roaccutane; cancer; epilepsy; thrombosis; or a pacemaker or any rhythmic heart device fitted.
Wait at least two weeks after any Botox or filler treatments.
Wait a week after skin peels, although you can book a skin peel or a microdermabrasion straight after Microcurrent.
Simple fillings and dental implants are usually not a problem, but metalwork inserted following facial fractures and metal braces can be a problem, and we can discuss this.
What should I expect after a CACI treatment?
Your skin may be pinkish for a short time after treatment, but this will subside quickly. Normal activities can proceed immediately, and no special aftercare is required except to drink extra water to aid lymph drainage, which will have been stimulated by the treatment. Your face may feel tighter or firmer, and these effects will be less noticeable after a few treatments as this will become the norm. Your skin texture will improve, and if you wear make-up you may find it applies better or that you may want to wear less.
How many treatments do I need, and how often?
Generally, a course of 10 to 12 treatments is recommended with two a week, at least 24 hours apart, for about 5 to 6 weeks.
After a course of CACI facial toning treatments, facial contours will look lifted and toned.
A monthly top-up treatment is then recommended to maintain results.
How long do CACI results last?
CACI results are cumulative, and they are maintained rather than permanent.
After a full course of 10 – 12 treatments, the effects gradually fade over the following weeks and months. Without maintenance, you could expect much of the benefit to be lost within around two to three months. That is why we recommend a monthly top-up treatment once your course is complete.
Micro-current works on the facial muscles, so the effect behaves much like exercise. Keep it up and the tone is maintained; stop altogether and it gradually goes.
How long it holds varies from person to person. Age, skin condition and how complete your initial course was all make a difference, which is why we recommend the full course rather than a few one-off treatments.
If you do leave it and want to start again, you will need another course rather than a single treatment. How long that course needs to be depends on how much the effect has faded, so the longer you leave it, the more treatments you are likely to need.
What does a CACI treatment feel like?
The treatment feels curious at first, and then you will soon settle in to relaxing and enjoying it, and then feeling energised and rejuvenated. At first you may feel sceptical that anything is actually happening, but by the time the first treatment is completed, you will feel for yourself. Sometimes it can be a bit tingly in places, and we can discuss this. Some older clients may have very thin or tight skin around the temples, and we will adapt the treatment as necessary to be comfortable.
Are there any side effects?
Side effects are extremely rare and can include erythema (redness) but will disappear within a few hours.
What are the disadvantages of CACI?
CACI is non-invasive and needs no downtime, but it is not right for everyone and it is worth knowing what it cannot do.
- The results are temporary. CACI is not a permanent alternative to surgery, and regular treatments are needed to maintain the effect.
- It takes a commitment of time. Some people see visible results after the first treatment, but the benefits are cumulative. We generally recommend an initial course of 10 – 12 treatments, two a week if possible, followed by a maintenance treatment each month.
- The results are subtle compared with surgical procedures. CACI enhances and maintains facial tone and appearance rather than producing a dramatic structural change.
- It is not suitable for everyone. It cannot be used during pregnancy, or by people with epilepsy, a pacemaker or another implanted electrical device, or anyone who has had recent facial surgery. That is not a complete list, which is why we check your suitability at consultation before treatment.
Is a CACI facial worth it?
That depends on what you want from it.
A CACI facial is a relaxing experience like any other facial. It is time to put your feet up, with the added benefit of improving your skin and giving your face a subtle lift. If you have the time to spare and would like a regular pampering session that does something as well, then yes, it is worth it. We have excellent feedback from our clients and many of them return every month for more. You can also combine it with other treatments to improve your skin tone and texture.
Here at Cheshire Lasers we have seen significant improvements around the eye area, and the CACI Eye Revive is now one of the ten most popular treatments in the clinic.
It is probably not for you if:
- You are expecting the more dramatic results you would get from surgical or injectable treatments.
- You do not have the time to invest in a course.
- You want something that lasts a long time without maintenance.
That said, the CACI Eye Revive is worth knowing about even if a full course does not appeal. A single treatment gives a temporary lift and brightening around the eyes that lasts up to a few days, which makes it a good choice before a wedding, a party or any occasion you want to look your best for.
Are CACI home devices as good as a treatment in clinic?
They are genuinely useful, but they are not the same thing, and they work best alongside professional treatments rather than instead of them.
A CACI home device can help maintain facial tone and give the skin a fresher, more lifted appearance. Used regularly it is a worthwhile addition to a skincare routine.
The first difference is the machine itself. A home device is a small handheld unit. The CACI machine you see in clinic is a large trolley system with a range of attachments, and we use:
- Standard probes, for precision work on individual facial muscles.
- Quad and Jowl Lift probes, for larger areas, specifically targeting the jaw muscles.
- Enhanced Tissue Repair (ETR) pads, which use a gentle flow of micro-current to target areas of concern, helping to improve the appearance of blemishes, fine lines and scar tissue while supporting the skin’s natural repair processes.
- Hydratone rollers, used in the Hydratone add-on and in every CACI Eye Revive treatment, which gently massage the skin while delivering micro-current through the Hydro mask, intensively hydrating the skin while restoring firmness and facial muscle tone.
The second difference is the therapist. The results are all about technique, and two therapists can get different results from the same machine. Ours are trained specifically on it and adapt each treatment to your face rather than working through a fixed routine.
So if you are choosing between them: a course of professional treatments is what gets you the result, and a home device is a good way to maintain it in between.
Can CACI help with Bell’s palsy?
CACI was originally developed to assist with facial paralysis, and micro-current has since been used by practitioners to support facial muscle stimulation and re-education in people with Bell’s palsy.
At Cheshire Lasers we have treated patients with a history of Bell’s palsy using CACI, with variable results.
We want to be clear about what we can and cannot offer. Our therapists are trained to carry out CACI for anti-ageing and cosmetic reasons. They are not trained in the advanced medical protocols that some practitioners have developed specifically for facial palsy.
If you have recently developed facial weakness, please see your GP rather than booking a treatment. Bell’s palsy needs prompt medical assessment, and the majority of cases improve substantially on their own.
If you are living with longer-term weakness following Bell’s palsy, please speak to your GP first, as they know your medical history. If they are happy for you to try it, do get in touch and we will talk it through before you book anything. We have a frank and realistic conversation with everyone in this position, so that expectations are clear before any treatment begins.
Consultation Procedure before treatment
You must undergo a consultation with one of our CACI-trained aestheticians to obtain details about your medical history and confirm your suitability for treatment. Before proceeding with treatment, you will also be asked to complete a consent form.
View the full range of CACI treatments available at Cheshire Lasers here.
View a selection of CACI before and after images here.
How much is a CACI Non-Surgical Facelift treatment?
View Cheshire Lasers’ CACI Microcurrent prices here.