If I Do EMFACE, Do I Still Need Ulthera?
The answer is: it depends on each patient's primary underlying issue. EMFACE and Ulthera work through different mechanisms and target different tissue layers. EMFACE uses RF combined with HIFES to strengthen and build facial muscle mass, while Ulthera uses MFU-V to stimulate collagen in the skin and SMAS. If skin sagging from collagen decline remains after EMFACE, additional Ulthera treatment is still necessary, since EMFACE isn't designed to directly address that issue.
What EMFACE Can Actually Achieve
A 2024 case report published in Skin Research and Technology, evaluating a device combining RF and HIFES technologies, found that six consecutive EMFACE sessions in a patient with asymmetric smile issues produced measurable changes documented by 3D imaging — including increased cheek muscle volume and a clearly more balanced angle between both sides of the mouth. These results demonstrate that EMFACE can genuinely increase facial muscle mass and strength, as well as add volume to the central face, contributing to a fuller, more youthful appearance.
However, EMFACE's mechanism remains centered on muscle stimulation and RF-based skin remodeling — there is no data showing deep-layer collagen stimulation comparable to what Ulthera achieves.
When Is Additional Ulthera Still Needed?
If, after EMFACE, a patient still has:
- Thin skin lacking elasticity
- Visible wrinkles from collagen decline
- Sagging in areas not directly related to muscle, such as around the eyes or neck
- These cases still require Ulthera's collagen-stimulating mechanism to address what EMFACE alone cannot.
Summary
EMFACE and Ulthera aren't interchangeable, so there's no fixed rule that "doing EMFACE means you never need Ulthera." Whether additional Ulthera treatment is needed should be based on a physician's assessment of whether skin-layer issues remain.