Is EMFace the needle-free alternative to filler and Botox?

Suppose you’ve been on the internet lately. In that case, the Kardashian-Jenners have been making revolutionary news, being open (for once!) about their plastic surgery, spilling details of the procedure, what to ask for, and even highlighting the surgeon they worked with.

While this has shed some of the secrecy of invasive procedures that celebrities have notoriously been cagey about (I mean, can we really attribute looking a decade younger to olive oil or ice water?), most of us in the regular world might still have some apprehension about going under the knife.

And what if you’re averse to needles, pain and downtime? While I have a high threshold for pain and am unafraid of needles, there’s only so much I am willing to suffer for beauty. For example, my only experience with high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) was so unbearable, I walked away from the experience, thinking it would be more effective to work on my self-esteem instead. I didn’t see a noticeable difference, and the results didn’t make up for the pain either.

Is EMFACE the pain-free way to lift your face?

So when this pitch to try EMFACE, a PAIN-FREE, needle-less way of preserving my youth came by, I leapt at the chance. As someone who’s had the privilege of trying out different treatments throughout my career, it’s always a treat to be able to experience them in the name of vanity science.

And looks like I’m not the only one who feels he same way. According to Dr Gerard Ee, medical director at The Clifford Clinic, he’s been seeing a growing demand for the treatment as well. 

“There’s been a noticeable shift — more people, of varying ages, are looking for treatments that are non-invasive, natural and effective. Additionally, as there is no pain or downtime required, a treatment like EMFACE, is popular. Especially among younger clients, there’s a strong interest in preventive treatments that maintain their facial tone and skin quality before major signs of ageing appear.”

And he’s not wrong. If you hop onto TikTok, you will come across countless videos of fans raving about this pain-free experience. Though some do share candidly that the pain comes in the form of financial. At The Clifford Clinic, one 20-minute session starts at $800, depending on treatment areas, and a minimum of four sessions is advisable before patients see visible results.

Results also typically last about a year, and maintenance treatments are recommended every six to 12 months.

So if you’re interested in trying this out, I spoke to Dr Ee on everything there is to know about EMFACE, before attempting it myself (again, in the name of science).

Explain to me like I’m five. How does EMFACE work?

Imagine a brand new rubber band – elastic and springy. It holds things together tightly. Over time, with repeated stretching, the rubber band can’t hold things together like it used to. Your face works kind of like that rubber band. As you get older, the muscles in your face get a little tired and don’t hold everything up as well as before. That’s when your cheeks might droop or your jawline gets softer, and eyebags develop. 

EMFACE works like a machine that helps lift and tighten your face without needles or surgery. It uses two kinds of technology:

• HIFES™ (High-Intensity Facial Electrical Stimulation) – this sends tiny electric signals to your facial muscles, like a mini workout, making them stronger and tighter (like when you exercise your arms and they get firm!).
• Radiofrequency (RF) – like a gentle warm hug that goes deep into your skin to make more collagen (which keeps your skin bouncy and smooth).

What makes it different from other non-invasive facial treatments?

It lifts both your muscles and skin; most other treatments, while also being non-invasive, only work on the skin. There’s also no needles, no pain and no downtime — you can go back to playing (or working!) right after.

It’s kind of like going to the gym, but for your face — making it look younger, firmer, and fresher, naturally.

Who is the ideal candidate for EMFACE? 

Anyone looking to address concerns related to drooping brows and eyelids, eyebags, crow’s feet, dark circles, sagging cheeks, a diminished jawline, or a double chin may be a candidate for EMFACE. The treatment can be used as a preventative procedure as it also treats deep facial skin layers and specific facial muscles. 

Can EMFACE be safely combined with other treatments like Botox, fillers, or lasers?

EMFACE uniquely targets both the skin and underlying muscles, helping to enhance and strengthen the foundation of your face. This makes EMFACE an excellent complement to other procedures, potentially improving the results of injectable treatments, such as botulinum toxin and fillers.

Are there any long-term risks associated with repeated EMFACE sessions?

It is a completely non-invasive treatment and has undergone U.S. FDA clearance as well as European CE certification. EMFACE has been launched globally for over 2 years and has already achieved over 1 million treatments. 

My experience with EMFACE

As someone who is in her mid-thirties and blessed with good genetics, I’ve been lucky to be able to fall under the “preventative” camp when it comes to anti-ageing treatments. Currently, the only treatments I do are a quarterly laser and chemical peel, and twice a year masseter (jaw) botox for my bruxism. 

According to Dr Ee, this makes me an excellent candidate, though he did candidly share that my results will be subtle, as compared to someone in her fifties with less skin elasticity.

The preparation

“While the treatment is pain-free, the sensation can be a bit weird and takes some getting used to,” Dr Ee warned me. Pain-free but weird? My curiosity was now piqued – no one had ever pre-empted me with such a warning before an aesthetic treatment. Though the clinic representative shared that personally for her, it only took one session to adjust and she found her subsequent sessions so soothing she almost fell asleep.

In preparation for the treatment, a grounding pad is placed behind my back. As it uses electromagnetic stimulation, I was advised to remove any metal I had on as a precaution (though I forgot to remove some of my piercings and it was still deemed medically safe). 

My face is first cleaned with an alcohol swab. This I hated, and almost thought the harsh wipe was a mistake, but it’s to ensure that the pads stay stuck to my face. These pads are then attached to the machine that will gently “lift” my face when the treatment starts.

So, does the treatment actually hurt?

My nurse checks that the pads are on tightly one more time and then switches on the machine.

Wow. Weird… is the right way to describe the sensation. 

The heat from the pads was pleasant, but the pulsing energy felt like pins and needles, so intense it compelled you to move the affected area. Now add an involuntary spasm that makes you blink and scrunch your face each time, and you’ve got the full experience.

Just as I was getting used to the sensation, the nurse informed me that she’d started on the lowest setting—and was now increasing it to the highest. Midway through, I began to adjust. It still wasn’t exactly pleasant, but at certain moments, I could see how someone might find it soothing. Strangely, it even felt meditative at times.

The results

To get the best results, I had to go in once a week for four consecutive weeks. It felt like I was fast-tracking the process, and by the third session, I could already see a visible difference, especially around my cheekbones.

Now, four weeks post-treatment, I’ve been noticing a sharper profile in photos. Though, to be fair, that might just be the result of obsessively monitoring my face — none of my friends said much beyond how good my skin’s been looking lately. But when I showed them the before-and-after photos, they noticed the difference too.

If, like me, your goal is the kind of subtle ‘I woke up like this’ enhancement, this treatment might be just right for you. But if you’re after more dramatic results, and don’t mind a longer recovery period, it’s best to speak with your doctor about alternative options.