ZIIP Part 2: The App, The Gel, and The Results!
Welcome to Part 2 of my guide to the ZIIP Microcurrent Device! In Part 1 we covered who ZIIP is for, compared it to NuFace (the other top microcurrent tool out here), and broke down the cost and how to get the best deal. Now it’s time to talk how to use your ZIIP, why I love it, and the results.
First let’s talk about the ZIIP app. Most apps that are made to work with a product kinda suck. The ZIIP app is excellent. Not only is it easy to use (and also useful), it gets updated regularly, so you know they actually care about this facet of their product. I have had my ZIIP for a little over a year and I believe they’re updated the app three times since then, the most recent one being a complete redesign. Because the ZIIP is one device capable of 14 different programs, you need a way to choose which one(s) you want to do, and this is all done on the app. You choose which program you want, sync your ZIIP with the app over bluetooth, and then begin.
A video featuring ZIIP creator Melanie Simon will pop up on your screen, first of her applying the conductive gel, then her guiding you through each step of the ZIIP program you chose. (The video above features Elizabeth Olsen talking about how great these videos are. Also, she has the bad storage bag I mentioned in Part 1.) If you do the same programs over and over, like I do, you will memorize the treatment plan and can do something else (I watch TikToks) while you do the program. The ZIIP program still works the same whether you’re watching the video or not.
Before you start any ZIIP treatment, though, you need to slather your face in conductive gel. The internet will tell you to use aloe gel or ultrasound gel instead of the branded ZIIP Gel. I don’t do that. Partially because I don’t know how my skin would react to those products, but mostly because if I’m spending so much money on a device, I want to use it properly. It’s designed to be used with ZIIP Gel, so I’m getting ZIIP Gel. I only use Silver, which is the cheapest at $50, but again, I have never paid $50 for it. During Black Friday/Cyber Monday when everything on the ZIIP website was 30% off, I bought three gels for $35 each. I’m set till next Black Friday (at least!) when I will purchase in bulk, on sale, again. You also don’t want to be too stingy with your gel. I use about 8 pumps on my face and neck before each treatment session (I don’t reapply between treatments if I’m stacking them), and a bottle lasts me a few months. The bottles also are designed in such a way that you get every last drop, so no need to scrape out or decant leftovers into your new bottle. ZIIP is so innovative and I’m impressed by all of it, but I’m really impressed that they designed their bottles to allow you to use every last bit of product.
There are 14 programs to choose from on the ZIIP app, and you can do one, many, or follow a particular plan where ZIIP chooses a schedule of programs for you. I’ve tried both the Event Prep and ZIIP Lift plans, and I have to say, I cannot manage to keep to the schedule. I use my ZIIP when I feel like it, which is most days, but not on a set schedule! I failed to follow the plan both times, and ended up either doing treatments on rest days, or delaying certain treatments to a day later because I didn’t feel like ZIIPing that day. So while in theory I love the treatment plans, I haven’t yet been able to follow them.
When I first started using my ZIIP, I did the Energize treatment most days, then I discovered Sculpt & Lift and that’s now my go-to. I also love Contour for focusing on my jaw and cheekbones, and I was shocked to learn Problem Solver actually does as promised. I knew before getting my ZIIP that there was a blemish-blasting program, but I had my doubts. HOW could one little device define your cheekbones, smooth your forehead, AND squash pimples?? But then I got a particularly achy zit, and I did the Problem Solver program on it… it was easily half gone by the next day. I repeated Problem Solver the next day and my blemish had basically disappeared. I was prepared to write my review of the ZIIP and focus on its blemish banishing qualities, but then I realized….
My skin texture had completely changed. Not only do regular ZIIP treatments (ANY ZIIP treatments) prevent most blemishes anyway, but using the ZIIP transformed my skin tone and texture. I took before photos, but I didn’t expect ZIIP to affect texture, otherwise I’d have taken super close up shots of my skin before I started ZIIPing! I no longer use any exfoliants (besides Tretinoin), I no longer use face masks. I simply don’t need them.
April 2021
June 2022
I went to the dermatologist recently for a 6-month mole check, and when she pulled down my mask to check my face she was stunned. “ALL you use is retin-a??” She exclaimed. I kind of sheepishly told her I also use a microcurrent device, and quickly added that I wasn’t trying to give myself a face lift (I didn’t want a lecture about at-home microcurrent being a scam), but it did seem to help my skin texture. “UH, YEAH IT DOES” My fantastic and charming derm said. “You have basically NO PORES.”
I knew my skin was looking much better, but having my dermatologist be SO impressed with my skin made me love my ZIIP even more (and helped convince me that if anything happened to my ZIIP after it was under warranty I would absolutely repurchase one). It’s a large monetary investment, but in terms of time, it’s 5-10 minutes a day, 3-5 days a week. I usually ZIIP after I workout and before I take a shower. It’s a great decompressing activity for post-workout, when you (or at least me) want to just sit and zone out for a bit before you do any other activity.
April 2021
June 2022
I cannot guarantee that buying a ZIIP and using it regularly will transform your face. Actually, I feel more comfortable saying it won’t do that at all. I know that’s what you might want, but, well, look at my progress shots: Any changes are super minimal, and the biggest changes I’ve noticed (tone and texture) don’t show up too well in photos. BUT, if you are into playing the long game, and you would like to do some preventative toning work, maybe smooth out that skin texture and zap the occasional blemish? I cannot recommend ZIIP enough.
