5 Questions for Melanie Simon
SEELE: Did beauty and engineering interest you as a child?
Melanie Simon: I’ve always been a free spirit, constantly creating and exploring. As a child, I loved making things and finding new ways to bring my ideas to life. I was fascinated by transformation; how small changes could completely shift the way something looked or felt. That curiosity eventually led me to the world of beauty, where I discovered the incredible power of electrical treatments to sculpt and rejuvenate the skin.
S: In your own words, what is an Electrical Esthetician, and why did you and David Mason feel that the world needed this type of at-home beauty technology found in your product ZIIP?
MS: I coined the term ‘Electrical Esthetician’ because there wasn’t an existing way to describe what I was doing in my practice. My work is all about using electrical currents to sculpt, heal and enhance the skin. I weave together different waveforms, varying in shape, frequency and intensity, to create highly customized facial treatments with very targeted results.
Over time, I saw firsthand just how transformative these treatments were for my clients. But I also realized something frustrating: these results were limited to those who could physically visit me. I wanted everyone to have access to the power of electrical facials, not just a select few.
That’s where my business partner Dave comes in. He’s brilliant, and together we figured out how to bring this vision to life. He built the app and we created ZIIP, the first-ever at-home device capable of changing Microcurrent and Nanocurrent™waveforms on demand. Through the app, users can access the exact treatments we develop that suit their skin, and we continue to evolve the treatments over time to address different skin needs.
The beauty of ZIIP is that skincare isn’t one-size-fits-all, and your skin’s needs change over time. The app allows users to choose full facial treatments or focus on specific concerns, empowering them to take control of their skin’s health in a way that was never possible before. With ZIIP, you’re not just using a device, you’re experiencing an evolving, high-tech skincare system designed to grow with you.
S: What is so profound about your work of electrical facials that has gotten you the name of being called “the Nikola Tesla of Facials”?
MS: Nikola Tesla revolutionized electricity by discovering alternating current, which in turn changed the world. In my own way, I’ve dedicated my career to revolutionizing electrical skincare. I’ve spent years developing microcurrent waveforms, fine-tuning their shape, frequency, and intensity to bring out the best in the skin. It’s about more than just surface-level results; it’s about creating long-term skin health through energy. So, while being compared to Tesla is a huge compliment, at the end of the day, I’m just obsessed with finding new ways to make skin look and feel its absolute best.
S: What lasting impacts for the face comes from your work, particularly of pairing different electrical waveforms like microcurrents and nanocurrents?
MS: If there’s one thing I know for certain after working on thousands of faces, it’s that the combination of Microcurrent and Nanocurrent™ creates magic. They’re like yin and yang, each powerful on its own, but together, they create something even greater. Microcurrent delivers an immediate lift and sculpting effect, like a workout for your facial muscles. But I found that those results, while incredible, would fade. Once I started incorporating Nanocurrent™, everything changed. Nano works on a much deeper level, it communicates directly with the skin on a cellular level, triggering long-term repair and rejuvenation. The combination doesn’t just give you results in the moment, but it builds over time. Skin starts behaving in ways I never thought possible- healthier, firmer, and more resilient. It’s a complete game-changer.
S: You are quite the innovator. What comes to mind this Women’s Month, when you think about the women innovators that have come before you and are yet to come?
MS: I feel a deep sense of gratitude for every woman who has paved the way, those who challenged the norm, pushed boundaries, and refused to settle. Innovation isn’t always easy, especially for women, but every step forward makes it easier for the next generation. To all the women coming up now, dreaming big and daring to create something new: keep going. The world needs your ideas, your perspective, your brilliance. I’m honored to stand alongside you, and I can’t wait to see what you do next.
