EMFACE® Q+A with Dr. Shannon Humphrey: A Revolution in Non-Surgical Facial Lifting
EMFACE® Q+A with Dr. Shannon Humphrey: A Revolution in Non-Surgical Facial Lifting
Dr. Humphrey was recently interviewed by VITA magazine for leading the charge and redefining the facial lifting and rejuvenation with EMFACE®. The most unique thing about EMFACE® is that it’s the first energy-based treatment to simultaneously treat facial skin and muscles. EMFACE® provides multi-modal outcomes, including a lifted appearance and more healthy looking skin. With an innovative ability to lift and non-surgically rejuvenate, this treatment offers a wealth of benefits. We sat down with Dr. Shannon Humphrey to review our own patients’ most pressing questions about this groundbreaking approach to facial rejuvenation, and we’re sharing her answers here.
What inspired the development of EMFACE®, and how does it differ from other non-surgical facial rejuvenation treatments?
Body contouring treatments that target muscle have been effective and incredibly popular. EMFACE® developed from a patient demand for a treatment that is:
- Safe and effective
- Administered easily in an appointment with no downtime
- Able to offer natural looking results (above all else), and a healthy, refreshed, rejuvenated appearance
How does EMFACE® work?
EMFACE® employs a dual-action approach, combining two sophisticated technologies:
- High-frequency electrical muscle stimulation: This targets specific lifting muscles in the face, akin to the lift of tightening a hammock, resulting in a more lifted appearance. This is very critical – targeting the lifting muscles specially – because you don’t want to target the depressing facial muscles.
- Radiofrequency energy: This energy stimulates gentle heat to improve skin quality and radiance.
The outcome of EMFACE® as a whole targets shape through muscle, and addresses skin quality through radiofrequency. This synergistic approach allows us to treat both muscular support and skin texture simultaneously for comprehensive results.
What results can patients expect, and how soon?
Multiple areas can be treated, including the forehead, mid-face and submental (under chin). Results depend on what areas are treated.
EMFACE® offers a range of benefits, depending on the treated areas:
- Forehead and cheeks treated together give an overall lifted appearance with improvement in skin quality.
- Specific patients may notice lifting in eyebrow and lateral cheek lifting.
- EMFACE® can address lift and contour of undesirable fullness under the chin.
How soon do you see results?
There is a bi-modal outcome. Many patients can see and feel lifting right after the treatment, but from what we know from clinical studies, peak benefits are about 3 months after the last session.
EMFACE® is ideally performed as 4-6 sessions, 2-14 days apart. We also recommend a single 20-minute session once or twice a year moving forward.
Could you share some of the clinical data that supports the efficacy and safety of EMFACE®?
Currently, clinical trials have been carried out for a series of 4 treatments, and there is follow up data up to a year. There are a number of important findings. Firstly, ultrasound shows an increase in muscle tone. Perhaps the most interesting findings are in the connective tissue; there were significant increases in collagen and near DOUBLING in elastic fibers from EMFACE® treatment. Very few treatments are able to stimulate elastic fibers, so that’s a special outcome.
All of these findings help us understand why we see and feel the changes that we do.
What has been the patient feedback on EMFACE®, particularly regarding the comfort and convenience of the treatment?
Patient feedback is consistently positive from this treatment, and comfort and convenience is exceptional. The fact that results can be noticed immediately and continue to improve over 3 months contributes to a high patient satisfaction with EMFACE®.
What are the key advantages of EMFACE® over traditional surgical facial lifting procedures?
It’s difficult to compare EMFACE® to traditional surgical procedures because they’re very different. A surgical face lift is a complete correction, and requires general anesthesia and recovery. In terms of downtime and risk they’re not even in the same category, and in different categories of outcome.
That being said, the key advantages of EMFACE® are that it’s easy to incorporate to existing aesthetic plans, convenient (20 mins with no downtime), and predictable in terms of the degree of improvement patients can expect.
How does EMFACE® fit into the broader trend of non-surgical cosmetic treatments, and what does it signify for the future of dermatology?
It fits beautifully! EMFACE® is paving the way with a new category as it doesn’t fit into existing aesthetic treatment categories. We can easily add it to patients’ current aesthetic plans.
Demand for this particular treatment signifies that patients and aesthetic consumers are interested and open to new treatment modalities, and interested in positive aging more than ever. Furthermore, patients are still hopeful that there are new modalities being introduced that are better than existing ones.
Can you describe any notable success stories or cases where EMFACE® has significantly improved a patient’s appearance and confidence?
So many of our patients are busy professionals and busy moms that the barrier is around convenience, and logistical lifestyle factors. Emface has allowed them to access non-surgical rejuvenation in a way that works with their lifestyle because it’s only 20 mins and they get the outcomes they want.
West coasters are particularly interested in the natural looking outcomes, and no downtime for their busy lifestyle.
Real patient Results:
Are there any specific skin types or conditions that EMFACE® is particularly well-suited for?
Most patients can benefit from EMFACE®. It’s less about skin type and facial shape, and more about desire for full face rejuvenation, naturally.
What are the typical post-treatment care recommendations for patients undergoing EMFACE®?
There isn’t any specific post-care for this treatment. We always recommend medical-grade skincare, customized to the individual. Sun protection and avoidance are important, as always.
How do you see the role of EMFACE® evolving in your practice over the next few years?
EMFACE® has already remarkably changed our practice. It’s brought new patients in, and all of our existing patients have considered adding this to their plan for a greater degree of improvement.
More EMFACE® Facts from Dr. Humphrey:
- EMFACE® Treatment is a 20 minute cycle. To be clear, that does equal more than 20 mins in the office, but it is an efficient treatment that fits easily into a busy schedule.
- During treatment, pads or applicators go on the areas that are being treated. This can include the forehead, cheeks, or chin. We typically recommend at least 2 areas for the best outcomes.
- Wondering what treatment feels like? You’ll lie down, while the nurse applies the applicator pads and the treatment continues for approximately 20 mins. During this time there is a lovely warm feeling and then there is a sensation when the muscle is stimulated that feels like pulling. It’s a unique sensation that is hard to describe. It feels intense at first, but after about 2 minutes, the intensity wears off and the treatment feels quite relaxing.
EMFACE® offers a fresh solution for beautiful aging
We’ve long since known that facial aging occurs in many tissues simultaneously; fat & bone are shrinking over time, skin is aging intrinsically and extrinsically, and collagen is degrading. This is where combination treatments have become the standard of care and we have a positive aging plan, rather than focusing on particular treatments. EMFACE® targets multiple tissues in a single treatment.
Ready to explore the benefits of EMFACE® for yourself?
Book a consultation today and let’s open the door to beautiful results.
