There is no doubt the array of skin and appearance treatments available these days is extensive.
Spanning simple facials using active skincare to seeking out cosmetic injectable treatments like botulinum toxin and dermal fillers to smooth and define your features, the scope of what’s possible continues to increase.
But now new technology is focusing on providing solutions for those who find themselves in the middle ground, wanting a bit more than the results a simple topical product application can provide, but still keen to avoid treatments requiring needles.
One such option, called Emface, is beginning to pick up attention as a way to achieve ‘knife-and-needle-free lift’ by targeting and strengthening the lifting muscles of the face, with clinics now offering the new treatment here.
Created by BTL Aesthetics, famous for its body-contouring Emsculpt treatments said to mimic thousands of ab ‘crunches’, Emface uses a combination of synchronized radiofrequency (RF) and high intensity facial electromagnetic stimulation (HIFES) energies to simultaneously treat facial skin and the muscles that provide facial structure beneath.
Treatment is delivered from a machine attached to single-use adhesive pads placed on the forehead and cheeks. The intention is to improve facial muscle density as well as stimulate collagen and elastin production.
Unlike lasers or microneedling treatments that may require numbing or some downtime thanks to redness, the Emface device is said to require no downtime after treatment.
Clinical studies cited by BTL Aesthetics say Emface increases muscle tone by 30 per cent, reduces wrinkles by 37 per cent and offers a 23 per cent lifting effect.
Dr Catherine Stone, owner of The Face Place, where Emface has been introduced to the treatment offering, says it provides an alternative for those not keen on needles as well as bringing something completely new to the table.
We spoke with Dr Stone about the new arrival and its possibilities:
What is Emface and how does it work?
EmFace is a revolutionary new technology used for contouring and reducing sagging of the face, creating natural lift and volume with no needles, cutting or pain.
It uses a combination of Electrical Muscle Stimulation (HIFES™️) and synchronised radiofrequency (RF) to treat both the muscles and the skin. It is unique in that it targets the lifting muscles of the face – those used in smiling and lifting the brows – with selective hyper contraction via high intensity electrical stimulation – the muscle is contracted thousands of times in one 20 minute session. This increases the density and quality of the muscles to restore and elevate the support of the facial tissues, reversing the sagging of the muscles and facial tissues that occur with age.
The HIFES is simultaneously combined with synchronised RF which smooths the skin and softens wrinkles by heating the dermal layer to stimulate collagen and elastin synthesis.
A standard course of treatments is one 20 minute treatment a week for 4 weeks. If you have more significant sagging or want to enhance your results further, a course of 6 treatments may be recommended. This is also a ‘Cinderella’ treatment – there is no downtime, and you see some results immediately, so if you want to look good for a special occasion such as a wedding, birthday or ball, you can have the treatment a day before for a lifted and glowy look! Full results are achieved about three months after the course of treatments.
What is it used primarily to achieve?
Emface was designed for improving lift in the face and brow area and natural looking volume in the midface.
We initially looked at it for treating mild-moderate sagging of the face, but it has been found to achieve facial contouring – lifting and volumising the cheeks and enhancing the jawline – in both younger and older patients. Many of my international colleagues have noted that their filler volumes have reduced in patients who have had a course of Emface treatments.
Emface is great for anyone who doesn’t want needles or surgery, and it also works well alongside both injectables and surgical treatments.
One area I’m super excited about is using Emface to treat Bell’s Palsy and stimulate the muscles to improved function on the affected side of the face. Our first Bell’s Palsy patient is already noticing improvement after just a couple of treatments.
Was there anything that surprised you about having it done yourself?
I actually really enjoyed the sensation. The RF feels warm on the skin, and the HIFES feels like caterpillar feet at first, and then the muscle contractions made me giggle. It was great to see an immediate impact. What really surprised me was how good I felt immediately after – it felt like all the smiling and opening my eyes stimulated the happy hormones!
How long do the results last?
Often we see results immediately that continue to gradually improve over the next 3 months. We usually do a 3 month review with photos as part of the course. Results seem to be maintained for about a year, although this will obviously vary. You might want to maintain the results with an annual treatment.
What kinds of clients are you excited about treating with this?
I’m excited that we can treat all ages and all skin types with Emface.
