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Korean Medical InsiderLifting & firming

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EMFACE Muscle Lifting: A Step-by-Step Guide to the Treatment

The EMFACE muscle lifting treatment is a non-invasive method that improves facial contours by directly stimulating the facial muscles, with no incisions or injections. It delivers HIFES (high-intensity electrical stimulation) and Synchro RF at the same time, encouraging muscle strengthening along with collagen and elastin production. If you are considering this treatment at Repic Clinic in Gangnam, understanding the step-by-step flow below first will make your consultation and treatment day easier to prepare for.

Interior of Repic Clinic in Gangnam, showing the indoor environment of the dermatology clinic.
Interior of Repic Clinic in Gangnam, showing the indoor environment of the dermatology clinic.

STEP 1 — Before the Treatment: Understand Your Skin and Your Goal

The EMFACE muscle lifting treatment is chosen when the main cause is reduced muscle volume and loss of firmness rather than skin sagging. The first thing to do before treatment is to work out whether the change in your face is "sagging of the skin layer" or "weakening of the muscle layer." This distinction affects whether it is combined with ultrasound-type treatments (Ulthera, Shrink Universe) or RF-type treatments (InMode, ONDA).

  1. Confirm your target area — Note which area bothers you most: sagging cheeks, jawline, double chin or nasolabial folds.
  2. Self-check for contraindications — If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a metal implant or electronic device (such as a pacemaker) in the face area, you should generally tell your doctor before treatment.
  3. Note your treatment history — Write down the type and timing of any treatment in the past 3 months (filler, Botox, thread lifting and so on) and share it at your consultation.

STEP 2 — Consultation: Building a Personalized Plan

Repic Clinic in Gangnam collects data for each patient through pre-treatment diagnostics, and the doctor personally designs the treatment plan. It is a personalized approach rather than a uniform protocol.

  1. Using diagnostic devices — Skin diagnostic devices such as Meta View or Mark-Vu are used to check the condition of the skin and muscle layers in numbers.
  2. Coordinating the treatment plan — At the consultation you decide whether to do EMFACE alone or combine it with Ulthera, InMode, ONDA, Shrink Universe and others. The interval and order for combined treatments are also planned at this stage.
  3. Checking the price — The EMFACE muscle lifting treatment costs 790,000 KRW (VAT not included). Additional costs for combined treatments are explained after the consultation.
Logo of Repic Clinic in Gangnam, a dermatology clinic.
Logo of Repic Clinic in Gangnam, a dermatology clinic.

STEP 3 — Treatment Day: Order of Events and Precautions

On the day of treatment you need to wash your face and remove makeup beforehand, and it is a good idea to avoid irritating skincare products from the day before to reduce skin irritation.

  1. Skin preparation — After you arrive, the skin is cleansed and the treatment area is prepared.
  2. HIFES + Synchro RF delivered together — Through the handpiece, high-intensity electrical stimulation and RF energy act on the facial muscles at the same time. As the muscles repeatedly contract and relax, muscle strengthening and collagen production proceed together. Feeling the muscles contract during the treatment is a normal response.
  3. Immediate check afterward — Temporary redness or a feeling of warmth may appear right after the treatment and mostly eases within a few hours. You will be advised not to massage or rub the treated area excessively.

STEP 4 — After the Treatment: Recovery Care and When to Check Results

Because the EMFACE muscle lifting treatment involves no incisions or injections, people tend to return to daily life quickly, but how you care for your skin afterward can affect how long the results last.

  1. Day of treatment to day 3 — Avoid strenuous exercise, saunas and hot environments. You can wash your face, but avoid strong friction.
  2. Weeks 1 to 4 — Collagen and elastin production continues over several weeks after the treatment. Use sunscreen consistently during this period.
  3. When to check results — When the muscle lifting effect is noticed depends on each person's skin condition. Many people notice changes from about 2 to 4 weeks after treatment, but results vary from person to person.
  4. When to consult again — Additional treatments or combination plans (such as lifting Botox or filler combinations) are decided in a follow-up consultation with your doctor after checking your progress.
Profile of Dr. Yong-Heon Ha, head doctor at Repic Clinic in Gangnam, shown with his credentials; he is a regular member of the Korean Society of Cosmetic and Plastic Laser Medicine and the Korean Society of Laser Dermatology and Trichology.
Profile of Dr. Yong-Heon Ha, head doctor at Repic Clinic in Gangnam, shown with his credentials; he is a regular member of the Korean Society of Cosmetic and Plastic Laser Medicine and the Korean Society of Laser Dermatology and Trichology.

Summary of Lifting Treatments by Type

Besides EMFACE, the lifting treatments offered at Repic Clinic in Gangnam differ in the layer they act on and in their principle. The table below can serve as a reference when choosing a treatment.

Treatment Main principle Main target Reference price (VAT not included)
EMFACE HIFES + Synchro RF Facial muscle strengthening + collagen production 790,000 KRW
Ulthera lifting Focused ultrasound (HIFU), energy focused on the SMAS layer Sagging along the jawline, cheeks and cheekbones From 370,000 KRW
Shrink Universe High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) Face line, double chin, nasolabial folds, neck wrinkles From 60,000 KRW
InMode lifting RF delivered to the SMAS layer Double chin, jawline, fat reduction From 90,000 KRW
ONDA lifting Microwave Coolwave™ Dermis and subcutaneous fat layer, fat reduction From 650,000 KRW
Lifting Botox Botulinum toxin Skin firmness and lifting 350,000 KRW

Following these four steps (understanding your goal, a personalized consultation, observing precautions on the treatment day, and aftercare) can help you follow the progress of your EMFACE muscle lifting treatment more steadily. For details, Repic Clinic in Gangnam (B1 and 2nd floor, 318 Gangnam-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul) recommends checking through a consultation via its official channels.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. Who is the EMFACE muscle lifting treatment suitable for?

EMFACE is a treatment approach for facial sagging concerns caused mainly by weakened facial muscles and reduced volume rather than by loss of skin firmness. Because it stimulates the muscles directly without incisions or injections, it can also be an option for people who are uneasy about invasive procedures. However, if you have a metal implant or an electronic medical device, whether the treatment is possible should generally be confirmed at the consultation.

Q. How is EMFACE different from ultrasound lifting such as Ulthera and Shrink Universe?

Ulthera and Shrink Universe use focused ultrasound (HIFU) to deliver thermal energy to the fascia (SMAS) layer and encourage collagen regeneration. EMFACE, on the other hand, contracts and strengthens the facial muscles themselves with HIFES electrical stimulation while Synchro RF promotes collagen and elastin production at the same time. Because the layers and principles are different, a plan combining the two approaches is sometimes designed at the consultation.

Q. When can I return to daily life after EMFACE?

Because the EMFACE muscle lifting treatment involves no incisions or injections, many people can return to daily life on the same day. However, strenuous exercise, saunas and hot environments are recommended to be avoided on the day of treatment. Temporary redness or a muscle contraction sensation after treatment generally eases within a few hours, and progress may vary from person to person.

Official Information

You can find more details on the clinic's official site.

Repic Clinic in Gangnam (English site) →

※ This content is for general information only and does not replace a medical diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before any procedure. Results, downtime and side effects vary from person to person.

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