Facial Muscle MODULATION

Is modulation of elevator muscles the missing piece in the injectable puzzle?

Injectables have emerged as the most widely adopted aesthetic solution worldwide, with millions of procedures performed each year. This popularity is driven primarily by the efficacy of neuromodulators and fillers, the two pillars of modern facial rejuvenation.

Neuromodulators work by relaxing specific facial muscles that cause wrinkles and pull the facial tissue downward, while fillers restore facial volume, which is lost due to ageing, by injecting substances beneath the skin. Although effective and widely used, these treatments are not without limitations.

Neuromodulators target depressor muscles, which pull the face downward. However, this only addresses one part of the facial muscles. The elevators – muscles that lift the face – must be avoided, as relaxing them would cause drooping and unnatural appearance.

Fillers deliver artificial volume beneath the skin, providing an effective solution with immediate results. However, they can sometimes lead to an overfilled appearance, especially when used excessively or without proper consideration of the facial framework.

To combat all these limitations, leading aesthetic injectors have started implementing a third pillar in their injectable protocols – the modulation of elevator muscles.

THE THIRD PILLAR IN THE SUCCESS OF INJECTABLES

Emface is a non-invasive procedure which targets the elevator muscles, those that neuromodulators cannot treat. By toning them, Emface naturally enhances the overall lifting effect of the face. While neuromodulators reduce the activity of the downward-pulling depressors, Emface enhances the lifting action of the elevators. This balanced approach enhances the results of neuromodulators and leads to a more natural and harmonious facial appearance.

“I love to combine Emface with injectable treatments because Emface is working on a deeper, more foundational layer of the face. It’s going to target the elevator muscles, specifically the frontalis, the zygomaticus major and minor, and risorius. We then can use the neuromodulators more strategically to work on the depressors.”

Moreover, this synergy may lower the neuromodulator dosage, reducing the risk of developing resistance. Emface also works together with fillers. By toning the elevator muscles, Emface lifts the underlying structures of the face, which leads to a natural repositioning of volume in the cheeks to their more youthful state. This effect was documented in a clinical study, where patients treated with Emface showed an average increase of 3.3ml in upper cheek as well as a 2.3ml reduction in the lower face, illustrating this upward shift.1

This natural volumisation creates a better foundation for any filler application. As a result, fillers can be used more strategically and in lower volumes, achieving a more youthful and natural look without the risk of overfilling

“For some patients, it is a matter of how much volume they need. If you think that they only need about a syringe, just do your Emface. If you know that they are going to be needing more volume than that, then I say pair and do it at the same time. You can restore the temples, cheeks, jawline and the chin as well.”

Examples of volume changes observed three months after four EMFACE treatments

TAKING INJECTABLES TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL

Leading injectors are increasingly adopting this three-modality approach —neuromodulators, fillers, and muscle modulation. This triad offers significant advantages, including differentiation, better results, higher profitability, and greater patient satisfaction.

“Emface does two things here. First, it provides a viable treatment option to those who do not want the needle. Secondly, both modalities may be used together to enhance the outcomes, or separately to space out and minimise the potential to develop resistance. Younger patients are seeking preventative neurotoxin, making this even more important.”

The non-invasive nature of Emface, combined with the precision of fillers and neurotoxins, aligns with current trends toward longevity, natural appearance, and the preference for non-invasive procedures, particularly among younger patients.

The integration of Emface into aesthetic practices represents the next evolution in facial rejuvenation. By addressing the limitations of traditional injectables and enhancing their effects, Emface is setting a new standard in achieving natural, youthful, and long-lasting results. For aesthetic professionals, embracing this triad of treatments is not just an option – it is the future of the industry.

Please visit btlaesthetics.com for additional information.