At Gangnam ODE Clinic, EmFace lifting is a non-surgical facial training program that stimulates even the muscle layer to induce lifting effects. Many patients choose this treatment because it can address mid-face sagging, lift the mouth corners and eyebrows, and improve overall skin firmness.
What Is EmFace Lifting?
How HIFES Works
EmFace lifting is an anti-aging device that simultaneously uses HIFES (High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic Stimulation) and RF (Radio Frequency). It provides mid-face lifting while improving skin elasticity.
Where traditional devices rely on ultrasound or RF heat to induce collagen denaturation and tighten the skin, EmFace creates lifting by restoring muscle elasticity.
EmFace primarily targets the zygomaticus major and minor muscles, which naturally stretch and loosen with age. By tightening these muscles, the treatment improves nasolabial folds and the mouth-corner line.
Because the facial muscles that lift the mouth corners become stronger, your smile also looks more natural.
When applicators are placed on the forehead, the frontalis muscle is stimulated as well, resulting in eyebrow and upper-eyelid lifting.
Role of RF
EmFace delivers RF energy simultaneously with HIFES, which:
Raises the skin temperature
Promotes collagen production
Improves elasticity and fine wrinkles
Although it does not deliver strong, deep heat in a single shot like Thermage, even low-energy heat delivered repeatedly can create meaningful improvements in skin firmness.
It may be helpful to think of it as similar to a Genesis laser in terms of how the energy behaves.
In summary, the main effects of EmFace are:
Mid-face lifting (e.g., nasolabial fold improvement)
Mouth-corner lifting
Eyebrow and upper-eyelid lifting
Improved skin elasticity
Summary of Research Results
1) Increased Mid-Face Volume
According to research, the upper-cheek volume increased by approximately 1.27cc after treatment.
This area is commonly filled with fillers, so EmFace may be a good alternative for those who want more volume but prefer not to use fillers.
(However, it does not provide direct volumizing like fillers.)
2) Mouth-Corner Lifting
After treatment:
At 1 month: +3.09 mm
At 3 months: +3.83 mm
Although 3 mm may sound small, it creates a visibly softer and brighter facial expression.
3) Eyebrow & Upper-Eyelid Lifting
The distance between the eyebrow and pupil increased by:
16.5% at 1 month
22.2% at 3 months
Many patients who initially come for mid-face sagging end up liking the eye-area lifting effect even more.
4) Increased Skin Elasticity
After 3 months, collagen density increased by approximately 30%.
EmFace Treatment Process
After designing the treatment area, single-use applicators are placed along the muscle structure of the face.
You simply lie down for about 20 minutes while the session proceeds.
Because the muscles repeatedly contract and relax, you may feel a slight unfamiliar sensation, but the treatment is essentially painless.
Number of Sessions, Cost, and Interval
Recommended interval: 7–10 days
Recommended sessions: 4–6 treatments
Pricing (Gangnam ODE Clinic):
4 sessions: 2.4 million KRW
6 sessions: 3.2 million KRW
The cost is higher due to the high price of the device itself and the expensive single-use applicators manufactured in Italy.
HIFES technology is advanced and difficult to replicate, which contributes to the high device cost.
If cost-effectiveness is your top priority, a domestic heat-energy device may be a more suitable option.
Who Is EmFace Recommended For?
Those concerned with eyebrow/eyelid, mouth-corner, or mid-face sagging
Those lacking anterior cheek volume but hesitant about fillers
Those seeking lifting with minimal pain, downtime, or side effects
Those wanting additional synergy when combined with Ultherapy or Thermage
Longevity of Results
Many patients wonder about the longevity.
Based on 4 treatment sessions, studies show an average duration of about 9 months.
Although individual results vary, muscles have “muscle memory,” meaning they respond more quickly when stimulated again.
For this reason, repeating the treatment yearly helps maintain more stable long-term results.
EmFace Side Effects
Side effects are rare due to the nature of the procedure, but the following may occur:
1) RF-related burns
If the applicator slightly lifts off the skin, localized heat may cause a small blister. If you feel excessive heat, notify the provider immediately.
2) Trigeminal neuralgia flare-up
In extremely rare cases, patients with a history of trigeminal neuralgia may experience recurrence. We have seen one such case in the clinic after a single treatment, and the patient discontinued treatment.
3) Concern about cheek hollowing?
EmFace does not cause cheek hollowing because it does not create deep thermal contraction.
How to Choose the Right Clinic
1) Direct consultation with the performing physician
A 1:1 consultation with the doctor performing the procedure is essential to evaluate expected results and determine whether another treatment may be more suitable.
Rather than consulting only with administrative staff and proceeding immediately, it is always better to speak directly with the physician for optimal results.
2) Availability of multiple lifting devices
Clinics equipped with a range of devices—such as Ultherapy, Thermage, Density, Serf, Onda, etc.—can provide more tailored, cost-effective combinations.
3) Before-and-after comparison
Because EmFace does not produce dramatic results in a single session, a clinic that objectively compares before-and-after photos is preferable.
At ODE Clinic, we use a skin analysis system during visits to compare treatment results.
Today, I walked you through everything about EmFace lifting—from the principles and effects to pricing, longevity, and possible side effects.
If you have any additional questions, feel free to visit the clinic anytime. I’d be happy to explain everything in detail in person.
This has been Dr. Dohoon Kim, Medical Director of ODE Clinic.
Author: Dr. Dohoon Kim, Chief Director of ODE Clinic
Specialty: Anti-aging (Lifting, Volumizing, etc.)