EMFACE
This 20-minute treatment combines radiofrequency and electrical muscle stimulation to contour and lift the face without needles or downtime.
EMFACE at a Glance
What it is: A noninvasive facial treatment that combines synchronized radiofrequency (RF) energy with High-Intensity Facial Electrical Stimulation (HIFES)
What it treats: Facial skin laxity, loss of definition, and the appearance of sagging; clinical studies have also found improvements in eyebrow position and facial wrinkles
How it works: RF energy heats the skin and underlying tissue, while HIFES repeatedly contracts facial muscles to stimulate and tone them
Treatment time: About 20 minutes
Downtime: None
When you’ll see results: Some contouring may be noticeable after treatment, with additional changes developing over the following weeks and months
Recommended treatments: Typically four treatments spaced about one week apart
How long results last: Clinical studies have followed results for up to six months; maintenance treatments may be recommended
Cost: $2,500 for four treatments at North Shore Medical Wellness when I had it
FDA cleared: Yes, for specified facial stimulation and aesthetic uses
Where I’ve had it: North Shore Medical Wellness, Huntington, NY
What Is EMFACE?
EMFACE is a noninvasive facial treatment that combines two technologies: radiofrequency (RF) and High-Intensity Facial Electrical Stimulation, or HIFES.
Unlike treatments that rely on needles, injections, or surgery, EMFACE works from the outside of the face. The RF component delivers energy that heats the skin and underlying tissue, while HIFES causes repeated contractions of the facial muscles.
The idea is that addressing both the skin and the muscles underneath it can improve facial contour and the appearance of laxity. In clinical studies, four treatments have been associated with improvements in facial lifting, wrinkles, and eyebrow position. One 2025 study of 37 patients found that eyebrow position remained significantly higher than baseline at 24 weeks after a four-treatment series.
How Does EMFACE Work?
EMFACE uses synchronized RF and HIFES at the same time.
The RF energy heats the skin and subdermal tissue. Radiofrequency treatments are generally used to create controlled heating that can stimulate changes in collagen and elastin over time, which may contribute to firmer-looking skin.
HIFES is the part that makes EMFACE different from a typical RF treatment. It uses electrical stimulation to repeatedly contract the facial muscles. Think of it as a passive facial workout: you aren't moving your face yourself, but the treatment is making the muscles contract and release.
In a 2024 clinical study of 21 people who received four 20-minute treatments, researchers reported improvements in facial lifting, including the brows and cheeks, with results assessed at one and three months.
What Does EMFACE Treat?
EMFACE is primarily used to improve facial contour and the appearance of skin laxity. It can be particularly appealing if you feel like your face is beginning to look less defined but you're not ready for surgery or don't want a treatment involving needles.
Clinical research has also looked specifically at eyebrow position. In the 2025 study, researchers measured increases in medial, central, and lateral eyebrow position at 24 weeks following the treatment series.
That doesn't mean EMFACE can replicate a surgical brow lift. A surgical brow lift physically repositions tissue, while EMFACE is a nonsurgical treatment intended to improve the appearance of the face through RF heating and muscle stimulation.
What Does an EMFACE Treatment Feel Like?
An EMFACE treatment takes about 20 minutes. The applicators are placed against the face, with the treatment targeting areas such as the cheeks, jawline, and forehead depending on the protocol.
The RF feels warm. The HIFES feels like repeated muscle contractions, which is noticeably different from the mild tingling or twitching you might experience with a microcurrent device.
It's a strange sensation, but I didn't find it painful. The muscles contract and release repeatedly while the RF creates a warming sensation on the skin.
And yes, you look a little funny while it's happening. But there's no needle, incision, or recovery period afterward.
What to Expect After EMFACE
There's no required downtime, so you can return to your normal activities immediately after treatment.
You may notice some temporary redness or warmth, but the treatment is generally designed to be performed without significant recovery time.
The changes aren't all immediate, though. Any initial improvement in contour is only part of the story. The skin-related effects of RF can continue to develop over time, which is why it's important to judge the results after completing the recommended treatment series rather than after one appointment.
When Will You See EMFACE Results?
You may notice some improvement in facial contour relatively quickly, but the full effect takes longer to develop.
In clinical studies, improvements in facial lifting and wrinkles continued to be observed at follow-up visits after the four-treatment series. One study found a 23 percent average lifting effect in the brows and cheeks, with all participants showing improvement at three months.
In another study specifically examining the upper face, eyebrow position remained significantly improved at 24 weeks.
In other words, don't expect to walk out of your first appointment with the equivalent of a surgical brow lift or facelift. Think of EMFACE as a treatment whose effects build over time.
How Many EMFACE Treatments Do You Need?
The typical protocol is four 20-minute treatments spaced about one week apart.
That's also the protocol used in several of the clinical studies evaluating EMFACE, including the 2024 study of facial soft-tissue lifting and the 2025 study examining the upper face and eyebrow position.
Your provider may recommend a different treatment plan depending on your goals and the areas being treated.
How Long Do EMFACE Results Last?
There's no single number that applies to everyone, but clinical studies have followed improvements for at least six months after a treatment series.
Because the treatment is intended to affect both the skin and facial muscles, maintenance treatments may be recommended to help preserve the result. My provider suggested a touch-up every three to six months.
Can EMFACE Be Combined With Other Treatments?
Yes. EMFACE can be incorporated into a broader aesthetic treatment plan, including injectable treatments such as Botox and fillers.
I had Botox a few weeks before my EMFACE treatment, so I specifically asked about whether the two could be used together. My provider said they could, and that combining treatments can enhance the overall result.
That doesn't mean every combination is appropriate for every person. Your provider should determine the timing and placement of treatments based on your anatomy, medical history, and goals.
Who Is a Good Candidate for EMFACE?
EMFACE may be worth considering if you're noticing mild facial laxity, loss of definition, or changes in the brow and upper-face area but aren't interested in surgery.
It's not a replacement for a facelift or surgical brow lift, particularly if you have significant excess skin or more advanced laxity. A consultation is the best way to determine whether muscle stimulation and RF are likely to address the changes you're seeing.
As with any energy-based treatment, your provider should review your medical history and make sure the device is appropriate for you.
How Much Does EMFACE Cost?
Pricing varies by provider and location. When I had EMFACE at North Shore Medical Wellness, the practice was offering a four-treatment package for $2,500.
Four-treatment packages can cost considerably more elsewhere, with some practices charging around $4,000 or more.
Because EMFACE is generally performed as a series rather than a one-and-done treatment, make sure you ask for the total cost of the recommended treatment plan, including any maintenance sessions.
My Experience With EMFACE
I've always had somewhat hooded, downturned eyelids, but as I've gotten older, the heaviness has become more noticeable. A surgical brow lift can reposition the brows and lift some of the skin around the upper eyelid, while blepharoplasty removes excess eyelid skin. I wasn't ready to go there, so I started looking for a nonsurgical option.
That's what led me to EMFACE at North Shore Medical Wellness in Huntington with Frank M. Ocasio, MD, MS.
I was initially most interested in what it might do for my brows and eyelids. After one treatment, I noticed that my cheekbones looked more lifted, particularly in photographs. But the biggest difference for me was actually around my eyes.
After four treatments, my brows and upper eyelids looked less heavy, but the effect wasn't dramatic or pulled. It looked like a subtle lift rather than like I'd had something done. That was exactly what I wanted.
I also liked that there was no downtime. The treatment itself was a little bizarre because you can actually feel the facial muscles contracting, but it wasn't painful. The RF felt warm, while the electrical stimulation felt deeper than the little twitches I associate with microcurrent.
Where I Had EMFACE
I had EMFACE at North Shore Medical Wellness in Huntington, New York, with Frank M. Ocasio, MD, MS.
North Shore Medical Wellness
202 E. Main St., Suite 201
Huntington, NY
Pretty Local Bottom Line
If you're starting to notice that your face looks a little less lifted or defined but you're not ready for surgery, EMFACE is an interesting middle ground.
What makes it different from a standard skin-tightening treatment is that it targets the facial muscles as well as the skin. The clinical evidence is still based on relatively small studies, but research has found measurable improvements in facial lifting, wrinkles, and eyebrow position after a four-treatment series.
For me, the appeal was the subtlety. I wasn't looking for a dramatic transformation. I wanted my upper face to look a little less heavy and my features to look a little more lifted, without surgery or downtime. That's what I noticed.
It's not a surgical brow lift, and I wouldn't expect it to produce the same degree of lifting as one. But if you're in the stage where you're beginning to notice those changes and want to see what a nonsurgical treatment can do, EMFACE is one option worth discussing with a qualified provider.
My experience reflects my individual results and should not be taken as a guarantee of results. Treatment outcomes vary. Always consult with a qualified medical professional to determine whether a treatment is appropriate for you.
Top, before. Bottom, after. More lifted brows and more lid space.
Left, before. Right, after. More cheekbone and jawline definition.
