27 Apr Glamour Compares Emface to Botox
Glamour magazine has long been a resource for those looking for insight into the latest cosmetic treatments—but does Emface really compare to Botox? Recently, the magazine called BTL’s facial toning technology a Botox alternative, but that’s not really the case since the two work completely differently. That’s why at RefinedMD we offer both, and it’s common to get both Emface and Botox in order to turn back the clock. Still, let’s consider Glamour’s take on Emface as the totally non-invasive (i.e. no needle) option for lifting and tightening the skin.
Emface works in two ways, both targeting facial muscle and manipulating the skin. This means it can treat many more concerns than Botox. Not only are lines and wrinkles reduced but you can also get better texture, structure, and contouring with Emface. It combines radiofrequency (RF) energy with the electromagnetic technology you may be familiar with thanks to Emsculpt and Emsculpt NEO. In just 20 minutes, this totally painless procedure directs RF energy into the skin for collagen induction therapy while the HIFES™ tech (we’ll get to that) forces key muscles into just the right contractions to tone and tighten. There’s no downtime or side effects associated with Emface but—just like Botox—results aren’t immediate or forever.
The Science of Emface
Emface is a form of non-surgical facial rejuvenation. When muscles are “worked out” on the face, they decrease visible laxity by lifting the face upward. Muscles that are designed to pull the face down aren’t addressed with Emface but, if they cause frowning or wrinkles, can be “frozen” with Botox. In other words, some muscles you want strong (enter Emface) while others you want weak (hello, Botox). Typically, you’re not going to strengthen the same muscles with Emface that you freeze with Botox.
RF energy helps to kick-start collagen and elastin, which are the building blocks of youthfulness. This works by heating up the skin’s tissue, which leads to a surge in fibroblast activity and, thus, more creation of new elastin fibers and collagen. Simultaneously, RF energy helps old collagen and elastin to decompose. Everyone creates their own collagen and elastin, and we more of it when we’re young. This process naturally slows down with age. However, with RF energy, we can tell the body to start making more collagen/elastin (exactly where we want it most).
But what exactly is HIFES™? It’s high-intensity facial electrical stimulation, which contracts targeted muscles. Contractions are what trigger the bodily response for muscle protein synthesis and renewal. When any muscles are under the right kind of stress, its response is a tiny good kind of tear that forces that muscle to get stronger. Our muscles are designed to grow in order to withstand similar future stressors. Ultimately, the muscle is making changes for what could come in the future, but a great side effect is that toned, stronger muscles also simply look better. With HIFES™ and Emface, this means more structure in the face, more volume in the mid-face, and a less noticeable nasolabial fold plus less jowls with a more defined jawline. You don’t get this with Botox.
The Importance of RF Energy
Emface isn’t the only technology with RF energy, but it’s still different. For instance, Emface RF energy has been specifically designed to exclusively address the dermal layer of skin. Targeting superficial skin means you don’t get the unwanted outcome of fat loss in key areas that need it. One sign of aging is lost volume in the face, so most people want to keep what they have. Emface allows for that. In many other RF energy technologies, heat causes scarring under the skin, too. This can technically cause skin tightening, but may also result in complications or the need for further treatments in the future to fix it. Emface has a very low risk of under-skin scarring, allowing you to enjoy better long-term results.
Glamour ultimately admits that Emface and Botox “couldn’t be more different,” but the two are often aligned because of their shared goal of wrinkle reduction. However, “volume gain and tissue left in Emface happens due to modelling of dermis collagen, rather than muscle paralysis (Botox) or the gel-puff effect of dermal fillers … accordingly, it addresses the very mechanism of aging rather than camouflaging it—and it’s also longer lasting.” Ready to try Emface for yourself? Schedule an appointment at RefinedMD by calling the office or filling out the online contact form.