According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), over 10 million non-invasive treatments are performed each year in the United States. The Aesthetic Society further shared that non-surgical procedures increased by 44% in a single year (2020 – 2021). This exponential growth is due to the perfect storm that is innovation in aesthetic technology, the end of the pandemic restrictions, and increased trust in cosmetic treatments, heavily aided by influencer culture and natural bio-stimulatory options.

BTL Aesthetics has been at the forefront of non-surgical aesthetics, zeroing in on electromagnetic stimulation - technology that has long been successfully used by NASA and physiotherapists for various therapeutic purposes regarding muscle activation. By repurposing this proven technology for aesthetic purposes, BTL has launched popular treatments like EMSCULPT NEO®, EMSELLA®, and most recently, EMFACE®.

MEET EMFACE®

First of its kind, BTL Aesthetics invested seven years in developing and testing EMFACE®, which combines high-intensity electromagnetic stimulation (HIFES) and radio frequency (RF), to contour the face. This is done by stimulating the elevator muscles responsible for lifting the brow and cheek while increasing collagen and elastin production, which results in a lifted, rejuvenated look without the use of fillers. In modern terms, four treatments of EMFACE® can significantly reduce the need for contouring photo filters.

DR. JENNIFER LEVINE LAUNCHES EMFACE® IN NYC

When launching its products, BTL knows that the results of their technology will only be as good as the hands it is in. After her success with launching EMSCULPT NEO®, BTL again selected the world-renowned facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Jennifer Levine, to be one of the first in the United States to offer EMFACE® and share her two decades of expertise at its launch conferences that included New York City and Miami.

A Vice-Chairperson of the Innovation and Emerging Technology Committee of the AAFPRS , Dr. Jennifer Levine has been at the forefront of advances in both surgical and non-invasive aesthetic treatments. As one of the few surgeons who are double-board certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and the American Board of Otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, Dr. Levine has unique knowledge of the face and its underlying structures.

“EMFACE is an exciting development in facial aesthetics.” Dr. Levine shares, “It goes beyond the skin by stimulating muscles within the submuscular aponeurotic system (SMAS), which is a layer of tissue that is lifted during surgical facelifts.”

By going beyond skin-deep, EMFACE® creates results that were previously only achieved with injectables.

HOW ELECTROMAGNETIC STIMULATION IS CHANGING AESTHETICS

As society gets more comfortable with aesthetic treatments, requests for “natural” or bio-stimulatory treatments are also seeing an increase. EMFACE® answers this call by giving an alternative to injectables and providing a solution that uses the body’s natural production of elastin and collagen to create a rejuvenated appearance.

“Non-invasive treatments such as EMFACE – which we affectionately call Emmy in our practice – are changing the landscape of aesthetics for both patients and providers,” Dr. Jennifer Levine shares. “Patients who may not yet be comfortable with needles can experience needle-free, natural facial contouring, while providers have an opportunity to grow their practice by offering a natural solution.”

As a pioneer in non-surgical aesthetic solutions, Dr. Levine offers patients a variety of treatments that use their body’s own processes to achieve rejuvenating effects. In addition to EMFACE®, some of those treatments include exosome therapy, PRP, bio-stimulatory fillers, cryolipolysis, and EMSCULPT NEO®, which uses electromagnetic stimulation to build muscle mass and radiofrequency to reduce fat in key areas that include the abdomen, glutes, arms, and thighs. One 30-minute session of EMSCULPT NEO® is equivalent to 20,000 crunches or squats!

Where Aesthetics and Health Meet

“Electromagnetic stimulation goes beyond aesthetics,” Dr. Levine notes. “Our patients are accustomed to leaving our practice looking and feeling confident, and now they can also leave feeling stronger and healthier.”

As a mom of two herself, Dr. Levine is aware of the challenges mothers can have. In addition to having less time to care for themselves, moms can experience increased cellulite, incontinence, and diastasis recti – the separation of the abdominal muscles during pregnancy, which results in a bulging midsection that can persist even with diet and exercise.

“Women, especially mothers, are often made to believe that these conditions will resolve with rigorous diet and exercise. And if they don’t resolve, that must mean they haven’t worked hard enough at it. That simply is not true,” Dr. Levine adds.

Exercise and diet can only do so much to resolve persisting diastasis recti, for example. If left untreated, it can create complications like umbilical hernia and persistent back pain.

To provide a solution for mothers and patients looking to strengthen their core and pelvic muscles, Dr. Levine’s practice offers a 100% non-invasive protocol consisting of EM® treatments:

· EMSELLA® is a seat that uses electromagnetic pulses (HIFES) to address incontinence by strengthening the pelvic floor muscles which are often weakened during pregnancy or with age. An added benefit to EMSELLA® is that it helps improve sexual health for both women and men. Six sessions over a period of three weeks are typically recommended for optimal results.

· EMSCUPT NEO® uses HIFES to strengthen core muscles and help resolve diastasis recti, while radiofrequency helps eliminate stubborn fat. Four to six sessions over a period of three to five weeks are typically recommended. In cases of advanced diastasis recti, physiotherapy may also be a good addition.

· EMTONE® addresses a challenge that 90% of women have – cellulite! It combines targeted pressure energy with radiofrequency. Two to four sessions over a period of two to four weeks are typically recommended.

Dr. Levine notes that just as professional skincare can help maintain facial aesthetic treatments, body treatments work best when combined with a healthy, balanced diet and exercise.

COMBINING AESTHETIC TREATMENTS PRODUCES BETTER RESULTS

Individual treatments can be effective in addressing specific concerns such as adding more volume to the cheeks or strengthening the core. But achieving a desired result that makes you look and feel like the best version of yourself requires two things: consistency and combination treatments.

With over 10,000 rhinoplasties alone completed by her experienced hand, Dr. Jennifer Levine emphasizes that combining treatments is the best way to achieve ideal results. Double-Ivy-League trained and an artist at heart, Dr. Levine can identify which features may need adjustments to achieve a desired, balanced look that fits the patient’s overall facial anatomy.

“The nose is the centerpiece of the face, and the slightest adjustments can create a significant difference in one’s appearance,” Dr. Levine says.

To bring harmony to the rest of the facial features and achieve a balanced look, other treatments or procedures may be required. For example, EMFACE® can help add volume to the cheeks while also having the added benefits of defining the jawline by lifting the skin, while reducing the appearance of fine lines on the forehead. This can help create a heart-shaped, rejuvenated look that better fits the changes to the patient’s nose achieved by a rhinoplasty.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The landscape of aesthetics is changing rapidly, and in Dr. Jennifer Levine’s opinion, for the better. Having recently opened her own private operating suite on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, Dr. Levine is enthusiastic about the future of surgical and non-surgical advancements that will help patients achieve their aesthetic and health goals.