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Will Electric Stimulation Machines Help Firm Facial Muscles?

asked 2 years ago by Neil Redmond
Latest answer by Rod J. Rohrich, MD
Question viewed 9,457 times
Tags: face, firming, muscle

What do you think about using an electrical stimulation machine to firm up facial muscles? I'm on a facial exercise regimen - which I'm going to try for 4 mos & I also have a electrical muscle stimulator - which I'm using on my facial muscles - we'll see what happens.

12 answers to Will Electric Stimulation Machines Help Firm Facial Muscles?

Electrical stimulation causes wrinkles,

It is the contraction of facial muscles that causes wrinkles and does not prevent them. That is the purpose of Botox. Relaxation prevents the wrinkles.

Toby Mayer, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

Electrical Stimulation of Facial Muscles

There is no scientific evidence of any benefit from electrical stimulation of facial muscles. What are you trying to achieve? Ask to see pictures of individuals ( I won't call them patients) who previously experienced your regimen. It may feel good, but at what cost?

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Electric Therapy Has been a Quack Treatment for over 100 years

Use electricity to smooth wrinkles, reduce weight, relieve menstrual cramps, increase male potency and female sexual interest, among MANY others, has been used since the late 1890's. http://thequackdoctor.com/index.php/self-adjusting-curative-and-electric-belt/ http://www.collectmedicalantiques.com/quack3.html http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/944-1880s-quack-electric-doctor-norristown-pa Look at old Sears catalogs and you will see the many "applications" the wonder of... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Relax mucles for improvement in facial appearance

Think about it for a minute: facial wrinkles are caused by hyperactive muscles repeatedly folding the skin, which is why Botox works so well. There may be some elevation short-term in the lower face with muscle toning, but not upper face or neck where wrinkles will get worse.

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

baxterplasticsurgery.com

Facial stimulation will not be visibly apparent

Facial stimulation may tone the muscles but it will not be anything that is externally visible or significant from a functional stand-point. The outer skin and fat contours that you see will not change. It is the quality of the skin and distribution of the fat that gives you the facial appearance that you will see. To look younger you need to consider skin treatments as well as skin toning. Best Wishes.

Marcus L. Peterson, MD
Saint George Plastic Surgeon

Electrical Stimulation (e-stim) for muscle growth or muscle bulk or as as substitute for resistance exercise

Electrical stimulation has been used to maintain muscle growth/volume to prevent atrophy in cases of denervation (nerve injury) or when resistance is eliminated (zero gravity enviroments that occurs with astronauts) but it is my understanding that it has not been successful in enhancing muscle growth or bulk.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Facial muscle stimulators do not work

Facial exercises and muscle stimulators do not work. The facial muscles are not weight bearing muscles and do not respond to exercises etc the way that core body muscles do. There are many gimmicks and devices that are advertised on infomercials but there is no merit to these things and you will be wasting your money and time.

Jason B. Diamond, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Electrical stimulation machines do not prevent facial aging

There have been no scientific studies that demonstrate any long term improvement in facial tone or appearance from using electrical stimulation machines. That is the reason why all these devices are no longer being advertised. The FDA has pulled them for false advertising. You may look better for a short period of time, while the muscles are still contracting (or twitching) but the results don't last. You may also look better temporarily from swelling induced by these machines.... more

Steven J. Pearlman, MD
New York Facial Plastic Surgeon

Facial exercises and electrostimulation for facial aging

I am not aware of any respected study demonstrating noticable benefits from facial exercises. I am aware of many of my patients who tried them before their facelifts. None of them noted a significant improvement. Personally, I would be even less enthusiastic about electrostimulation. Do you plan on having this procedure performed by an experienced plastic surgeon or physician? In order them such a treatment to go deep enough to reach the SMAS, significant currents would have to be delivered.... more

Frank P. Fechner, MD
Worcester Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.drfechner.com

Electric Stimulation Does Not Work

Electric stimulation devices cannot give you a facelift. Devices as these that are seen on the television on internet are totally worthless and have no scientific basis for actually shaping or re-shaping your face or neck. It is indeed a marketing scam with no scientific basis.

Rod J. Rohrich, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Electrical Stimulation DOES NOT improve wrinkles

Hi there- Please don't waste your money or time... These things not only do not work, but may cause you harm. Find a reputable surgeon certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery and visit for a discussion about the concerns you have developed as you have aged. Remember- addressing your appearance is only a positive thing to do if it is done safely, responsibly, and ethically.

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

Electrical stimulation and facial muscles

You will probably be disappointed with the results. Be careful, certain movements will make things worse, for instance all those movements that we are all trying to minimize with Botox injections.