Emface – a non-invasive face-lifting device – has been hailed as revolutionary since it entered the market. But that’s said of many other face-lifting technologies like Morpheus8, Ultherapy, Sofwave, and Microcurrent, among others.
You’ll certainly find many positive reviews about this treatment. However, in many of the before and after photos, you can only see a slight, if any, difference.
The truth is that just like many other non-surgical facelift alternatives, it can address certain skin problems. But it wouldn’t be accurate to say that it’s an exact alternative to surgical facelifts.
What Is Emface?
Emface is a non-invasive face-lifting procedure that targets the skin and muscles through radiofrequency and electrical stimulation.
In case you’re wondering why Emface sounds familiar to you, it’s the product of BTL Aesthetics, which also developed Emsculpt for body contouring.
Emface is similar to that device, in that it essentially works out the muscles of the face to tone them and increase their density. It does so with the help of “HIFES™ energies,” which stands for “High-Intensity Facial Electrical Stimulation.”
Additionally, radiofrequency heats the dermis to contract the collagen and stimulate the formation of new collagen. This further helps tighten the skin.
That way, Emface targets both the muscle and the skin to give the best possible results.
Who’s A Good Candidate For Emface?
An Emface treatment might be suitable for you if:
- You have mild wrinkles and fine lines on your face.
- You have a fear of needles or want to avoid them.
- You want a subtle facelift.
- You want to slightly tighten your skin.
Additionally, this device is better suited for younger people who don’t have a lot of loose skin.
That’s because Emface is not a surgical treatment, so it won’t get rid of any excess, hanging skin. For this reason, it’s better for “preventative ageing” than anything.
Keep in mind, however, this treatment may be contraindicated if you have metal piercings, plates or implants in your face. It’s because the metal can interfere with electrical stimulation.
How To Prepare for Emface Treatment?
Make sure you remove all makeup and residue from your face before going to the clinic since otherwise, the Emface pads will not adhere properly.
Make sure that you wash and clean your face. Also, it’d be better if you remove any piercings or jewellery beforehand.
And if you have any skin problem before the treatment, make sure to inform your practitioner about it.
What’s The Procedure For Emface?
Emface doesn’t require the use of anaesthesia or numbing cream because it doesn’t cause any pain. Your practitioner will simply stick a grounding pad to your back and three pads to your face.
One pad goes on the forehead, and the two others go on the cheeks. That’s because Emface targets the frontalis muscle in the forehead, which elevates the eyebrows. Additionally, it targets the zygomaticus major and minor muscle, which raises the corners of the mouth (for instance, when you laugh or smile).
All the pads have wires running from them, which attach to a machine. Once the treatment starts (HIFES generates thousands of pulses for muscle contraction), you will feel like someone’s tapping your face.
The entire session will take about 20 minutes, and you’ll be done for the day. However, this is just the first of the usually recommended 4 treatment sessions. All of these take place 7-10 days apart.
What Are Emface’s Side Effects?
After you’ve had your treatment, you can resume your normal activities soon after because Emface doesn’t have a lot of side effects. You may have some redness after the procedure, but it should go away on its own.
Since this treatment works out the facial muscles, it might also cause some discomfort. Other than that, however, the treatment won’t interfere with your routine activities.
When Do You See The Results of Emface?
According to the manufacturer of Emface, you’ll have “tangible results” immediately after the treatment. However, usually, it takes 4-6 weeks to see the results of Emface. And these results will continue to get better in the following weeks.
To be sure of any changes in your face because of Emface, you should consider taking a before and after photo of yourself. That way, you can clearly see the difference Emface sessions are making.
Just keep in mind that each person is unique, so your results may vary from someone else. It can depend on your age and the condition of your skin.
Is Emface Permanent?
The results of Emface are not permanent. They can last for as long as a year, so you’ll need more treatments to keep seeing the results.
It’s true that Emface can stimulate the production of collagen (research shows that radiofrequency can do that), and it can also tone the facial muscles, but these effects won’t last.
Can Emface Cause Facial Sagging?
Considering that Emface moves the facial muscles, you might think that it can worsen the wrinkles on the face. It’s the exact opposite of a Botox that essentially paralyses the muscles in the face so that you don’t wrinkle.
However, it’s said that Emface only stimulates those muscles in the face that help lift it up (once they’re toned). Botox, on the other hand, targets different muscles in the face. That toxin works on depressors, the muscle whose contraction pulls down a part of the body.
So, Emface shouldn’t increase the wrinkles on your face.
What’s The Cost of Emface?
In the UK, you can get Emface for a price of £3,000 or more (it’s around $5,000 in the US). This is for all 4 sessions of the treatment. Not that many clinics offer this treatment in the UK at the moment, so demand could drive the prices up.
Additionally, the location of the clinic and the experience of the practitioner will also determine the overall cost of your package.
Emface vs Other Surgical and Non-Surgical Treatments: What’s The Difference?
Emface is often compared with a surgical facelift since it also aims to lift the face. However, there are many differences between the two treatments. Here’s a summary of it:
| Emface | Facelift | |
| Procedure | Radiofrequency and electrical stimulation to tone the muscles and stimulate collagen formation | Remove excess skin and fat and tighten the facial muscles |
| Treatment Aim | Lift and tighten the skin to get rid of mild signs of ageing | Get rid of moderate to severe signs of ageing |
| Target Areas | Face | Face |
| Anaesthesia | None | General |
| Longevity of Results | 1 year | Permanent |
| Results Visibility | 6-8 weeks | 6-9 months |
| Number of Treatments | 4 sessions (7-10 days apart) | One |
| Downtime | None | 1-2 weeks |
| Cost | £3,000 | £10,000 or above in the UK £2,000 in Turkey |
Make sure to consult a board-certified medical professional for any treatment that you’re seeking.
They’ll have to examine your skin and health and learn about your needs and expectations before recommending a suitable treatment plan.
Conclusion
Emface is an innovative treatment in that it targets both the skin and the facial muscles to improve the early signs of ageing. While it can help in that case, it’s not exactly an alternative to surgical facelift.
A facelift involves cutting out of excess skin and tightening of muscles, both of which cannot be done by a non-surgical treatment. For this reason, the results of treatments like Emface are quite subtle.
It’s important that you talk to an experienced and qualified plastic surgeon to best address your concerns.
