By the DermaGlow Lab & Aesthetics by Tatarian MD team
You want to look refreshed, but choosing a treatment can feel harder than deciding what you would like to improve. If you have been comparing EMFACE and EXION Face in Calabasas, the names alone do not tell you which conversation to have with your provider.
Both are offered at DermaGlow Lab & Aesthetics by Tatarian MD. They use different technologies, and the right choice starts with your features, medical history, and goals. You do not need to arrive knowing which machine to book. You need a clear explanation of what each option could realistically contribute to your plan.
How the treatments differ
EMFACE combines synchronized radiofrequency with HIFES muscle stimulation. Its radiofrequency component heats tissue, while the muscle stimulation produces contractions. BTL, the manufacturer, describes this combination as addressing skin appearance and the facial muscles that support facial structure.
EXION Face combines monopolar radiofrequency with targeted ultrasound. It does not use EMFACE’s HIFES muscle stimulation. BTL describes EXION Face as stimulating the skin’s production of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, which contribute to its structure and hydration.
In practical terms, EMFACE brings a muscle-stimulation component to the discussion of facial appearance. EXION Face focuses on a skin-directed approach without that muscle stimulation. If you are noticing a change in contour, fine lines or skin firmness, ask your provider which part of the concern each option could address. The device name alone cannot establish which is appropriate.
EXION Face is not RF microneedling
EXION is a platform with different applicators. The Face applicator discussed here works from the surface of the skin without needles. EXION RF Microneedling is a separate treatment that uses needles and radiofrequency energy.
When researching online, check which applicator an article, video, or testimonial describes. An explanation of microneedling recovery should not be applied automatically to an EXION Face appointment, and a needle-free treatment description should not be used to explain microneedling.
Start with what you want to change
Before your consultation, consider:
- What specifically bothers you, and when do you notice it most?
- What would feel like a worthwhile improvement?
- What features do you want to preserve?
- Are you comfortable with a gradual change and possible repeat appointments?
- Do you have a budget or an upcoming event that affects your decision?
At DermaGlow, Margarita Lupan, FNP, known as Rita, emphasizes a thorough facial and skin assessment, realistic expectations, and an individualized treatment plan. An important part of that discussion is understanding when a treatment is appropriate and when another approach, or waiting, makes more sense.
What an appointment may feel like
EMFACE sessions involve warmth and muscle contractions. BTL describes a typical treatment as approximately 20 minutes, although your total visit also needs time for assessment, preparation, and questions. Your provider should explain the sensations before starting and check how you are feeling during treatment.
With EXION Face, the expected sensation is primarily warmth as the applicator delivers energy. The time needed depends on the area and your plan. Speak up about uncomfortable heat or pain rather than assuming discomfort means the treatment is working better.
Ask about your own recovery expectations before arranging an appointment around work, travel, or a special occasion.
Set expectations before buying a treatment series
Neither treatment involves injecting filler, and neither removes excess skin surgically. They should not be presented as interchangeable with those procedures. If your goal calls for a different approach, that should be discussed before you commit to a series.
Ask your provider what change they expect to assess, when they will reassess it, and how they will decide whether further treatment is worthwhile. A photograph taken immediately after an appointment is not the whole story. Results and experiences vary, and progress should be reviewed against the goal you agreed on together.
Request the full proposed cost, including the number of appointments, what each visit includes, and whether future maintenance would be separate. An attractive per-session price is less useful if you do not understand the complete plan.
Safety belongs in the consultation
Needle-free does not mean risk-free. BTL’s safety information for these technologies lists possible skin injury, including crusting, blisters, and burns, and restrictions involving electronic or metal implants. Suitability needs individual review.
Tell the clinical team about implants, medical conditions, medications, skin problems, pregnancy or breastfeeding, and previous reactions to treatments. Also share the dates and areas of recent Botox, filler, surgery, or other energy-based procedures. The clinical team needs these details to assess suitability and plan the timing of any recommended treatments.
Before leaving, know whom to contact if you develop unexpected symptoms and which aftercare instructions apply to your specific treatment. Clear answers should be part of feeling comfortable with the decision.
Combining the treatments
It is reasonable to ask, but do not assume that buying both will produce a better result. Ask what separate purpose each treatment would serve, whether the added cost is justified for your goals, and how the appointments would be scheduled. Your clinical team should decide whether a combined plan is appropriate.
Your next step at DermaGlow
You do not have to choose EMFACE or EXION Face before scheduling a consultation. Bring your questions and describe the outcome you hope for. Our team can discuss how the available options fit into an individualized plan, including when they may not be suitable.
The consultation fee at DermaGlow Lab & Aesthetics by Tatarian MD is $25 and is applied toward a treatment package if one is purchased. Treatments may also be purchased individually.
Contact our Calabasas team to arrange your consultation, or call 818-476-4880.