Neuromodulator injections followed by a series of Emface (BTL) treatments can produce aesthetic results that are on par with a surgical brow lift – minus any cutting or downtime, according to a new study presented at the 2024 meeting of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery in Baltimore.
Emface pairs high-intensity facial electrical stimulation (HIFES) and transcutaneous radiofrequency energy simultaneously to lift the brows and tighten the forehead and cheeks.
The study included 12 people who had received botulinum toxin injections in the past month. An active group received four, 20-minute Emface treatments, and the control group received no Emface treatments. All patients completed two follow-up visits at 1 month and 3 months after the last treatment.
Facial expressions documented by both digital photographs and videos were taken at all visits and evaluated using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) and 3D automated analysis.
People in the active group reported high satisfaction with therapy comfort and minimal discomfort. At one and three months, people in the active group noted satisfaction with skin-tightening, facial contour improvement, and feeling and looking better. GAIS photo evaluation showed a 90% improvement at one and three months. By contrast, the folks in the control group showed no improvement. Video evaluations supported facial enhancement, particularly in smiling expressions. The 3D analysis demonstrated a 37.4% wrinkle severity reduction. No adverse effects were observed, and Emface did not affect the longevity of the neuromodulator injections.
The new research was presented by Suneel Chilukuri, MD, Director of Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatologic Surgery at Refresh Dermatology in Houston, TX. Dr. Chilukuri typically treats patients with a neuromodulator to release the brow depressor muscles including the procerus, corrugators, nasalis, and orbicularis oculi muscles. Patients come back for Emface treatments at least two weeks later. For patients traveling from long distances, the neuromodulator is placed at the end of the first Emface session. “I utilize the forehead applicator pad to improve the resting tone of the frontalis muscle,” he tells the Derm Digest. “Emface is the foundation treatment. For younger patients, we start with only the Emface to prevent future brow ptosis.”
Most people will undergo a series of four Emface treatments with results improving over three months. “The results look like a surgical brow lift.”
