Q: What are the pros and cons of Emface?

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.

Question 1

What is Emface?

Accepted Answer

Emface is a facial rejuvenation procedure that simultaneously treats the facial muscles and skin, to lift and sculpt facial contours while reducing wrinkles.

Each Emface treatment combines two proprietary technologies.

High-intensity facial electromagnetic stimulation (HIFES technology)

This patented, FDA-cleared technology was developed by BTL Aesthetics, the same company behind Emsculpt and Emsculpt Neo. While those body-contouring treatments use a high-intensity focused electromagnetic energy (HIFEM) to target major muscle groups like the glutes and abdominals, Emface employs high-intensity facial electromagnetic stimulation (HIFES) to stimulate the more superficial facial muscles, which slacken and lose volume with age.
HIFES produces 75,000 facial muscle contractions in each 20-minute session. Targeted muscles include the frontalis, which elevates the brow, and the zygomaticus major, minor, and risorius muscles in the cheeks that elevate the corners of the mouth and lift the midface.
These rapid contractions trigger cellular changes that increase muscle volume, density, and tone, giving the facial tissues more structural support.

Synchronized radiofrequency energy (Sync RF)

Synchronized RF (radiofrequency) energy penetrates the dermis and warms the tissue to 40-42 degrees Celsius within a few minutes of treatment. This temperature is enough to induce new collagen and elastin growth, without affecting facial fat.
Collagen and elastin are the structural proteins that give skin its elasticity, strength, and suppleness. We produce less of them as we get older, which leads to signs of facial aging.
Stimulating new collagen and elastin growth in the dermis leads to firmer, smoother, and more elastic skin over time.
The heat also builds elastin in the SMAS (or superficial musculoaponeurotic system), the fibrous tissue layer that runs from mid-scalp to the clavicle.

Emface is the only noninvasive facial treatment that targets not only the skin but the underlying muscles, which help form the foundation of our face, explains Dr. Kristin Baird, a board-certified dermatologist in Longmont, Colorado. “Emface enhances the deep structure of the face, which supports the overlying skin and soft tissue,” she says. “Since Emface builds the foundation, it’s complementary to other procedures, such as injectable fillers, neurotoxins (like Botox and Dysport), and lasers.”

Question 2

Does Emface work?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

What are the pros and cons of Emface?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 4

How much does Emface cost?

Accepted Answer

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.”

Question 5

Who makes a good candidate for Emface?

Accepted Answer

“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.

Question 6

What should you expect during an Emface treatment?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 7

How soon will you see results?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 8

How long do Emface results last?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 9

Is Emface safe? Are there side effects?

Accepted Answer

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.”

Question 10

Emface vs. Ultherapy: What’s the difference?

Accepted Answer

Ultherapy uses ultrasound technology to heat the deeper layers of the skin to remodel existing collagen, stimulate new collagen growth, and tighten skin. It has some advantages over Emface in the number of areas it can treat, including the brow, jawline, under the chin, neck, and décolletage. However, it doesn’t improve muscle tone.

Compared to Emface, notes Dr. Baird, Ultherapy is a long (60-90 minutes) and uncomfortable procedure (even with pain medication), with more potential risks and complications.

It also has relatively low patient satisfaction: RealSelf members give Ultherapy a 60% Worth It Rating.

EMFACE

Dr. Wayne Wertheim

Karyn Repinski

Dr. Wayne Wertheim

Karyn Repinski

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Dr. Wayne Wertheim

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EMFACE QUESTIONS

When is Ultherapy more recommended & when is Emface more recommended?

What is the different between Ultherapy and EmFace?

Morpheus8 vs. Emface vs. Trilift, which is the best option for jowls?

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