Emface: What You Need to Know

Clinical studies provided by BTL show that Emface works: a series of four treatments leads to a 30% improvement in muscle tone, a 23% lifting effect (particularly of the brows and cheeks), and a 37% reduction in wrinkles, with a 95% patient satisfaction rate.

These studies also showed that collagen increased by 26% and elastin levels rose 129%. Collagen remodeling and muscle fiber growth take time, so you’ll see optimal results three months after your last treatment.

It’s important to have realistic expectations about what any noninvasive facial rejuvenation treatment can achieve. Emface is not a substitute for a surgical facelift, which lifts the underlying muscles and skin while removing excess tissue. But it can be a good option for patients looking for a natural-looking improvement, without the risks, downtime, or scars of surgery.

Pros

• This noninvasive treatment comes with no downtime. Afterward, “You can apply makeup, work out, or return to work without worries,” says Dr. Baird.  
• It’s suitable for all skin types and tones. 
• The 20-minute treatment is not painful, even without numbing cream. “It’s totally tolerable,” says Dr. Yael Halass, a facial plastic surgeon in New York City who acted as lead investigator of the Emface device during its development. Dr. Halass describes the procedure as producing “a wonderful sensation of warmth.”
• Results look very natural. “The procedure brings patients back to their natural baseline,” says Dr. Baird. She notes that Emface is a great alternative treatment option for patients who are hesitant about looking “overdone” with neurotoxins and fillers.

Cons

• Emface isn’t a one-time procedure: your treatment plan will likely include four weekly sessions, followed by occasional maintenance treatments.
• Though you’ll see and feel some benefits of Emface after your first few treatments, you’ll have to wait until about three months after your last treatment to see optimal results. That’s how long it takes for the new collagen, elastin, and muscle fibers to develop.
• Results last about a year, so you’ll have to return for follow-up treatments if you want to maintain them. 
• This treatment doesn’t address the neck, a common area of concern.

Typically, Emface costs between $3,000 and $4,500 for a series of four treatments, according to Dr. Wayne Wertheim, a physician in Roslyn Heights, New York. Prices vary by geographic location, your provider’s level of experience, and their practice location. 

A treatment series in Dr. Baird’s Colorado office costs $4,000, while the same treatment package costs $5,000 in many New York City practices.

Some providers offer specials that can considerably bring down the price. “Providers of the Emface procedure are governed by a contractual MAP (minimal advertised price) and therefore cannot advertise discounted pricing or quote pricing over the phone,” Dr. Wertheim explains. “It is recommended that prospective patients seek personal consultations where discounted pricing may be openly discussed.”

“The beauty of Emface is that most patients are great candidates,” says Dr. Baird. There are no restrictions on skin type or tone, so almost anyone interested in lifting their face, firming skin, and smoothing wrinkles is a good candidate for Emface.

There are a few exceptions, however. People with implantable electronic devices such as defibrillators, pacemakers, or metal implants that can interfere with the electromagnetic waves near the treatment area aren’t good candidates.

Patients with more advanced signs of aging, including severe skin and muscle laxity, may be better candidates for facelift surgery.

Here’s what happens during a typical treatment. 

• You’ll lie down on a treatment table, and your provider will cleanse your face.
• They’ll apply the Emface applicators across your forehead and cheeks and start the treatment.
• You will feel rapid muscle contractions and a warming sensation. This combination can feel tingly or strange, but it won’t be painful. You may find yourself involuntarily squinting or making odd facial expressions; this is completely normal.
• After 20 minutes, you can return to your daily routine. Your skin may look a little flushed, but otherwise no one will be able to tell you’ve had anything done. 

Related: Emface Before and After: What the Treatment Is Like and Whether the Results Are Worth It

Dr. Baird says that in her practice, every patient has seen an improvement after finishing the initial series of four treatments. For some, results begin to show up even sooner: “we have seen lifting of the brows and jowls, a more defined jawline, and improved skin appearance after just one treatment in many patients.”

Patient results can also vary from subtle to more dramatic. “We’ve seen significant brow lifting in certain patients, providing a nonsurgical alternative to a brow and lid lift in the right patient,” says Dr. Baird. 

As we’ve mentioned, results continue to improve for three months after the patient’s final treatment.

Emface results last up to a year, according to clinical trials and the providers we spoke to. 

You can help preserve and prolong your results with a quality skincare regimen that includes a broad-spectrum sunscreen, with an SPF of 50+.

After a year, one maintenance treatment is recommended every six months to a year, depending on the skin condition and age of the patient.

Emface has an excellent safety profile. There are no reported long-term adverse events, and any side effects are minor. 

“In our clinical practice, Emface is well-tolerated with minimal side effects—including transient dry skin, redness, and headaches—reported by our patients,” says Dr. Baird. “Anecdotally, we have seen improvement in chronic headaches, neck pain, and heavy eyelids.”