Dude, if you want me to fork out $500 for your skincare device, the least you can do is tell me EXACTLY how it works!!
Can you tell I’m frustrated? I’ve just spent the last couple of hours trying to find out what ZIIP beauty is and what it does.
The website tells you almost nothing. Reviews are scant (but raving). On skincare forums, people ask questions no one has answers to.
Am I supposed to buy it on a wing and prayer? Cos if I had $500 to spare, I’d rather buy a second-hand pair of Gianvito Rossi heels than a device I have no idea really works, you know what I’m saying?
There was only one thing left to do: delve into the science of microccurent electric stimulation (the technology the device uses).
I’m happy to do it because I’m a nerd, but how many people would bother to search for what should already be on the website?! EPIC FAIL there.
What Is ZIIP Beauty?
ZIIP beauty is the baby of Melanie Simons, the electric esthetician. She got the nickname because she uses low frequency electric currents in her facial.
It makes sense that her next step was to create a gadget that can do the same thing at home. Because not everyone is a celeb who can see her every month. Just saying…
ZIIP looks like a sleek computer mouse. If I got one, I’m sure Mr BWB would try to steal it for his laptop and then complain it’s broken. 🙄
Here’s how it works: apply a conductive gel on your face, turn the device on, and rub it in circles all over skin to give it a dose of electricity. I know, it sounds like a horrible torture device but, apparently, it’s painless.
The idea is that delivering pulses of low-level currency into your skin boosts the production of collagen and zaps the bacteria that cause acne.
Related: 8 Ways To Rebuild Lost Collagen (That Really Work)
Don’t know how to create an anti-aging routine that really works? Download the “Best Anti-Aging Skincare Routine” cheatsheet to fin out. It features product recommendations + right application order:
Does Microcurrent Electric Stimulation Work?
Did you know your body generates electricity?
It then uses electricity for several important jobs, including telling cells to produce more of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a protein nicknamed the “energy of life”.
ATP is like a delivery courier. It takes energy obtained from food and delivers it to cells to fuel their cellular processes.
In theory, more energy = improved cellular processes.
In practice? Studies show microcurrent electric stimulation speeds up wound healing.
For example, one study shows that electrical stimulation of leg muscles can strengthen that muscle. Another has found that this treatment can boost the production of collagen and elastin (the proteins that keep your skin firm and elastic) in the affected regions.
But you want to get rid of wrinkles, not just heal wounds, right? Can electric microcurrent do that?
Well, if it can strengthen muscle and boost collagen, the answer should be a resounding yes, right? Not so fast.
I’ve only found two studies looking at how electric microcurrent improves aging. The first one was on electroacuptuncture (yep, that’s acupuncture + electric stimulation). The treatment helped reduce wrinkles.
But what about electric stimulation alone? The only study I’ve found on that was even less reliable. Scientists found that women looked younger after microcurrent stimulation BUT… they just compared before and after photos to reach that conclusion! Not very scientific, is it?
Consider this too: even if in the future microcucurrent electric stimulation is found to strengthen muscle and boost collagen in the skin too, those aren’t the only causes of premature aging.
You already know where I’m going with this: I’m NOT forking out $500 for something that’s not proven to work yet and that if it were, it could only address one or two causes of aging (for that price, it should fix everything, pronto!).
What About The Gel And Seven Treatment Programmes?
Let’s say you think microcurrent electric stimulation is a promising technology (I do – it’s just too early to tell how much it helps the skin) and you want to be one of the trailblazers to give it a go sooner rather than later. Should you invest in ZIIP?
That’s when it gets tricky. The science of microcurrent electrical stimulation is scant. But info on ZIIP is scanter still.
The website proudly claims “One Device. Seven Treatments.” They have settings for anti-aging, sensitive skin, acne… but they don’t tell you anything about any of them. They just make some random promises that one treatment will sculpt your cheekbones, another reduce dark circles and another still tighten and brighten skin.
They also sell a Golden Gel with 24-carat gold, synthetic cone venom, peptides and growth factors to act as an amplifier to generate electrical flaw and provide hydrating, anti-inflammatory and anti aging effects.
All stuff you can find in most serums these days.
The Bottom Line
Admittedly, I haven’t tried ZIIP beauty yet, so I can’t comment on the results. Studies done on wound healing are promising and may open the doors to new anti-aging treatments. What puts me off ZIIP is not so much the lack of scientific studies (yet). It’s their secrecy. For the prices they’re charging, they should go into way more detail to let their customers know how their device works. As it is, I don’t think I have enough information to fork out $500 for it or recommend you do it either.
Hi Gio,
Thanks for your informative blogging!!
Hmm, I always wonder when cellular turnover is touted, would it not also affect cancer cells to turn over as well? Not sure the cells are smart enough to only turn over the cells we want to. What if there are cancer cells lurking, and you use microcurrent electrical stimulation, is it crazy to think it would also stimulate growth of cancer cells?
K.R. cellular turnover refers to the skin’s natural exfoliating process. Certain ingredients/techniques can speed that process up. I’ve never seen any research indicating it could cause cancer or make it worse.
I know from personal experience that physical therapist wouldn’t use ultrasound or anything that speeds up cell turnover on anyone who has ever had cancer.
Need more information I agree with your report. Great review
Arlene, isn’t it annoying when brands aren’t transparent? Glad you enjoyed the post.
FYI — This has been available for a while. I haven’t tried ZIIP, but if the inability to find an ingredient list of the conductive gel is one of your big issues, here they are . . . Thanks!
WHAT ARE THE INGREDIENTS OF THE GOLDEN CONDUCTIVE GEL
Last Updated: Dec 03, 2015 08:26PM PST
Glycerin
Water (Aqua)
Propanediol
Dimethyl Isosorbide
μconotoxin Cn CIII.
Lecithin
Acetyl Glutamine
Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Sh-Polypeptide-1
Sh-Polypeptide-9
Sh-Polypeptide-11
Bacillus/Soybean/Folic Acid Ferment
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Hydrolyzed Chondrus Crispus Extract
Sodium Hyaluronate
Glycine (Soybean) Soja Extract
Niacinamide
Caffeine
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Hematite Extract
Magnesium Aspartate
Zinc gluconate
Copper gluconate
Jasminum Officinalis Extract
Menthoxypropanediol
Gold
Xanthan Gum
Ethylhexylglycerin
Phenoxyethanol
Anna Maria, thanks for the ingredient list. I do think that every brand needs to have the ingredient list for all their products on their websites. A lot of people have sensitive skin and you don’t want to fork out $500 to find out you can’t use it. I like that it has niacinamide as that’s a wonderful multitasker than can tackle lots of different concerns. But apart from that, there’s not much else here to justify the price.
Thanks for this! I was looking for a review that would address the brand’s lack of transperancy regarding this product and the technology/science behind it. Truthfully, I can be sucker for skincare and beauty products and I’m all too inclined to fork over money to products that are highly praised and embraced among skincare experts. There just isn’t enough information about this tool, from others OR from the site itself. Disappointing, because if it does all that it purports to surely there would be loads of information behind why and how it does so. Eh, annoying, but your review was the most factual I’ve found and I appreciate it! You’re great!
Nathalie, aww thank you! So glad you enjoyed my review. Isn’t it annoying when a brand doesn’t tell you the whole story? It makes you think they’re hiding something. I think this tool isn’t as powerful as the technology used by dermatologists in their offices so that’s why they’re relying more on the fame of the founder than science to sell it. *sighs*
Very good review. I am also looking to buy a beauty device like this and have been researching online since there are so many devices(refa, Tripollar Stop etc.) Gio, have you taken a look of this Japanese brand Yaman (specifically model 10t)?
Ran, I’m afraid I wasn’t familiar with this brand so I’ve just had a look on the website. But my thoughts about these devices is the same. They use technologies that work but their intensity – and therefore the results they give you – is far lower than what you’d get at a dermatologist. That’s not to say they’re useless, just that you have to be aware of what they can do for your skin. They may help your current skincare regime work better but they won’t give you the same results you can expect after a visit to your derm.
Hello, I am just researching the Ziip device and found your site. Thank you for putting information out with integrity. Does any reference side effects? Does this current irritate facial or optic nerves?
Lynne, I suppose it could cause an irritation to some people. There’s also the possibility that something in the gel may irritate sensitive skin. But for most people, it should be safe. It all depends on how sensitive your skin.
I just read on Allure’s site that Mandy Moore uses the Ziip. So I looked it up and found no information about it at the stores that are selling it. Thank you for your report. I’ll save my money for dermatologist visits.
Michelle, glad this review helped you!
I did use the device for six weeks just over two years ago. I can’t say for sure, but shortly after I started using it, the fat grafting I had done above my cheeks and below my eyes dissolved. I had had the grafting done five years ago and it was still looking great up until that point. I did not see any kind of warning about the electrical current possibly causing this. Maybe I was just the odd one. I am sure Kim Kardashian has had tons of fillers put in and she obviously loves it. Maybe my experience was different because I had fat fillers. Not sure. EIther way, it cost more thousands to redo the work… because once it began dissolving, my under eye area looked wrinkled and terrible. On a positive note, the company gave me a full refund.
Diana, thanks for sharing your experience. I wasn’t aware this could happen either. But this is what I mean when I say Ziip Beauty is so secretive. You really don’t know what you’re getting yourself into. At least they refunded you the money.
Hey Gio, informative post! I want you to know I work for ZIIP & my goodness, i was taken a bit aback at the “secretive” accusation! We strive pretty hard to be as transparent & informative as possible, since this is a fairly new technology. Not one but BOTH conductive gels ingredient lists are posted clearly on our website (on each gel’s product pages!), along with several videos explaining how it all works. And we’re always here to answer questions too! Look forward to reading an edit! Take care!
Stephanie, thank you for your reply. I didn’t mean to say you are being secretive on purpose. I’m sure you strive to be as helpful as possible, but sometimes a customer may have questions that are not answered on the website. I’ve had another look at the website, which I think was updated a little since I’ve written the post (I don’t remember the full ingredient lists to be there, for instance). So kudos for doing that. But I still don’t understand how, if all the treatments uses nanocurrents, these 7 treatments are different? What makes one better for hyperpigmentation and the other for acne, for example? As someone interested in the science of skincare, I’d love to have more information about things like this.
Ha! Super ironic that Stephanie didn’t reply. Thank you so much for this review. I just started to consider a ziip and thought the same thing when I looked on their website…”uh…where are the clinical trials!?!?”
Brenda, I hear ya! The lack of science-based info on the device is really worrying, isn’t it?
This is explained in the app’s videos, which I believe are available on YouTube. There are different wavelengths of micro currents, for example, some are antimicrobial, which lend themselves well to treating acne. This technology is widely used in medispas around the world, it should not be hard to find information online.
Roxana, thanks for sharing. It’s good to know you can find info about it online. But if I have to fork out $500 for a product, I’d rather have ALL the info on the website, rather than go looking around for it.
Yo Stephanie, as someone who was possibly considering buying this device, you sure just sealed the deal that I won’t. What a condescending reply. There is still very little available about the science behind this product other than paid reviews. Shady AF.
One quick correction, you keep saying microcurrent in the article, however this is NOT a microcurrent device. This uses a “nanocurrent”. Microcurrent is used in devices like Nuface. Nanocurrent is different in that it operates at a lower frequency which can kill acne causing bacteria deep within the skin. Microcurrent is more for muscle and collagen stimulation. I agree that the website is way to vague for a device this expensive.
Sondra, thank you for the clarification. 🙂
Good review. There’s some people claiming their Botox wears off faster as a result of micro electrical stimulation of the face muscles. It sounds plausible and since it wont replace the need for fillers and Botox this device really needs some hard evidence of what it does and any pitfalls, not just vague celeb endorsements.
George, I agree. I think it has potential but the science just isn’t there yet. If I were to pay that much money, I’d definitely need hard proof it works.
I’ve had a ziip for over a year and think I love it….but for months I’ve had endless problems getting it to connect (sync) with the app that runs its programs. I have to mess with it sometimes 10-15 times, over and over, to get it to sync and if I want to do another program, same issues. I’ve been emailing with Stephanie for months…and kind of feel like I’m getting one blow off after another. Does anyone else have these problems? I have a real issue paying $500 for a device that’s going to stop working reliably after a year. Was hoping for some insight….advice.
Debbie, I’m sorry to hear you’re having problems with your device. That definitely shouldn’t have happened, considering how much you paid for it. Can’t the company exchange it? If not, I hope one of my readers can help you out with your issue.
You are not alone! I am living the same painful reality and have been without a working Ziip device for 2 weeks. I sense customer service is in over their heads so responses are spotty and incomplete and issues are being dragged from week to week, as they are not available on weekends. Adding insult to injury, I pay for the monthly gel subscription. I feel your pain.
Interesting ladies, thanks, what would you suggest as an alternative?
Maria, I personally believe in having these treatments done at the dermatologist’s office. Even they work, they only do 1/10th of what a treatment at the dermatologist can do.
Honest and informative review, thanks so much… pop over to their facebook page and read about the customers who are complaining about no customer service and devices not working. It seems unbelievable that they can charge the price they do and not look after their customers who are their advertisers… thanks again 🙂
Ali, that’s appalling. For this price, customer service should be top notch.
I am too prone to believe the hype of a product if I like the person who’s pushing it. But at the same time I’m a sucker for objective reviews and hearing what l don’t want to hear about something l like, if it’s based on facts and not emotions. Your review addressed some of the concerns l had while visiting their site. Thank you for verbalizing them and doing our research for us. In a sea of vague but raving reviews, yours is by far the most informative and helpful and I has helped me reach my decision. Thank you.
Sunnie, thank you. I’m so glad this review helped you make the right decision for you.
I have been using the Ziip for nine months. I am using it less, because my left eye began to twitch! My optometrist told me to stop using it, because of lack of information on the website. I followed Melenie’s protocol and videos. I can’t say I was ever amazed with results from the Ziip. I have a subscription for the Golden gel that will end in a few months. After that I will stop using it for good. My eye twitch happens everyday and is exacerbated after I use the device. I just got an email from Ziip beauty about their new subscription gel program. It is a horrible price point. This was a waste of $500 + gel $$. I did not do sufficient research on this device before I bought it. I want to complain and ask for a refund, but after seeing the comments about their horrible customer service I think I will be ignored, unless I sue the company.
Rae, I’m sorry to hear about your experience. It’s awful what this company is doing. I’d still try to contact customer support and see if you can get a refund or at least be allowed to stop the subscription early.
@ Rae:
I wrote a review last month and this is a follow-up which I hope is helpful. I was using the ZIIP device for almost 2 years (on my 3rd replacement), and also paid for the gel subscription. I spent several mind numbing weeks back and forth with ZIIP customer service. Granted, I was persistent and extremely vocal about my frustration but they eventually refunded me the total cost of the device, the previous month’s gel subscription (I never got to use it since the replacement device was also faulty) and they allowed me to stop my subscription.
Too bad I found this AFTER having so many frustrations with the ZIIP customer service – the worst I have ever seen! My device suddenly stopped working after only 3 months. It happened on a trip and I packed the device in its case. It does not work at all since then! Customer Service has been rude, condescending, and unhelpful! According to them, it must be my fault since the device arrived and worked and then I must have broken/damaged it during travel- so their so called 2 year warranty is absolutely nonexistent. Their website does not give any help on troubleshooting- and when you contact customer service, they give rude condescending responses!
Hi, thanks for the great review. I’ve been trying to find a review about this product that doesn’t solely rave about its miracle cures and this is the only one I can find. (I wasn’t much impressed with Stephanie’s response to you either.) I’ve also been looking at the Nuface Trinity. Do you have any experience with this? Thanks.
Beth, I personally am not a fan of any of these gadgets, Nuface Trinity included. Nothing you can buy OTC is a s powerful as what you get at your doctor’s office.
i looked at the patent application for ziip, US 9861818, and it only states that it is a current less than 1 microamp. specifically, ” the electric current is one of a microcurrent, a nanocurrent, or a picocurrent”. It doesnt state that there is any significant changes when it comes to using a micro current, nanocurrent or picocurrent. It looks like a marketing stunt. also, i graduated with a electrical engineering degree and i should mention that frequency is different than current range. for example, a current of 1 microamp any frequency from 1Hz to 100Hz or greater.
I am extremely late to the game, but wanted to say – I have suffered from extremely bad rosacea my entire adult life…. extremely, heartbreakingly bad. I don’t even look at my face in the mirror, and avoid my reflection at all costs. I have taken antibiotics, Finacea, Tretinoin, Rhofade. The list is literally all inclusive. I read some research on the healing power of nanocurrents on my condition, and thought what the hell… after 3 treatments, 3 days of the clearing treatment, my skin is significantly better, less red, no swelling, and it doesn’t hurt. My skin doesn’t hurt anymore. I have continued, and will continue to use it.
So, my experience with the device is extremely positive- I genuinely recommend it to fellow problem skin sisters and brothers.
Hi. Thank you for your review. I saw above the question about cancer cells. What bothers me about these new trearment technologies that there are NO studies proving no side effects long term. ZIIP for instance “wakes up”/triggers your face skin to regenerate faster….what if your face “gets used to it”. What if you stop using the device? Would your face skin “forget” how to heal on its own? Would it always need “help” in the future?
I had the same question for the laser light therapy…
I am sure a lot of celebrities use MANY other anti aging skin care products/services than just ZIIP
ZZ, I hear ya and I share a lot of my concerns. That’s why I use and recommend to my clients old and trusted ingredients like retinol and glycolic acid over these new products and treatments.