The options for treating the delicate under-eye area keep getting smarter. From eye creams and hyaluronic acid fillers to microneedling and lasers, patients have more choices than ever. The latest to join the list is EMFACE Eye, a treatment that uses energy-based technology to strengthen the muscles beneath the eyes. Think of it as a targeted workout for the under-eye area.
A New Option for an Aging Eye Area
This latest treatment is part of the celeb-loved EMFACE platform (Jessica Simpson, Rebel Wilson and Alicia Silverstone are fans), which is already used to firm the forehead, lift the cheeks and define the jawline. The new under-eye treatment brings that approach to one of the most difficult-to-treat areas, using heat and muscle stimulation to firm skin and reduce puffiness, all without injections or downtime.
“EMFACE Eyes fills a void that traditional HA fillers cannot,” says San Diego dermatologist Melanie Palm, MD. “It is the first nonsurgical treatment to treat infraorbital fat herniation.”
How Does It Work?
Each 20-minute session combines two types of energy: heat and muscle stimulation. The device uses radio frequency to warm the skin to just over 40 degrees Celsius, which helps kickstart collagen and elastin production. At the same time, a second technology called HIFES targets the small muscles under the eyes that naturally weaken over time. Together, the treatment firms skin, improves texture and tackles the muscle laxity that can lead to puffiness and under-eye bags.
“FDA-approved fillers for the infraorbital hollows can help camouflage the presence of fat herniation to some degree but does not address the root cause, weakening of the orbicularis oculi muscles,” Dr. Palm explains. “Previously, patients with moderate to severe fat herniation were surgical referrals to my oculoplastics colleagues for fat repositioning and a lower blepharoplasty. Now we have a no-downtime, comfortable treatment that yields over a 60 percent improvement in dark eye circles and a 1.4 mL reduction in volume to infraorbital fat pads. As a clinical investigator on a multicenter trial, these are impressive clinical results at 1-month post-treatment.”
Who It’s For
While not intended to replace surgery, this treatment offers a new alternative for patients who aren’t ready for a lower blepharoplasty but want more than what topical products or filler can provide. With no needles, no anesthesia and no recovery time, it’s one of the few available options that targets both the skin and muscle of the under-eye area.
