What is the main difference between EMFACE and Ultherapy?

EMFACE and Ultherapy approach facial ageing from opposite directions. EMFACE works on the facial muscles and skin from the surface, combining synchronised radiofrequency (to remodel skin and stimulate collagen and elastin) with HIFES electromagnetic energy (to tone and lift the underlying facial muscles). Ultherapy works deep, using micro-focused ultrasound to deliver heat to the SMAS layer at 4.5mm — the same structural layer addressed in a surgical facelift — to tighten and lift from beneath. EMFACE re-tones; Ultherapy re-lifts.

Which treatment gives a stronger lift?

For deep structural sagging — pronounced jowls, a heavy brow, or loose neck skin — Ultherapy generally produces the stronger lift because it reaches the SMAS at 4.5mm, deeper than any other non-invasive device. EMFACE produces a lifted, more 'snatched' appearance by toning the muscles that hold the face up and improving skin quality, which suits earlier laxity and mid-face flattening. Patients with significant descent tend to favour Ultherapy; patients wanting muscle tone and a refreshed look often prefer EMFACE.

How many sessions does each treatment need?

Ultherapy is typically a single session, with results building over 2–3 months as new collagen forms. EMFACE follows a protocol of four 20-minute sessions spaced over roughly two to four weeks, with results developing over the following weeks and continuing for a few months. Many patients maintain EMFACE with periodic top-up sessions and Ultherapy with an annual treatment.

Is there any downtime with EMFACE or Ultherapy?

Both are zero-downtime treatments — you can return to normal activities immediately. EMFACE is completely needle-free and felt as a warming sensation with muscle contractions; most patients find it comfortable. Ultherapy produces a deeper warmth and brief tingling as the ultrasound fires, and some patients notice mild tenderness or slight swelling for a few days afterward.

Does either treatment hurt?

EMFACE is generally very tolerable — there are no needles, and the sensation is a warm tingle combined with rhythmic muscle contractions. Ultherapy is more intense, producing a deep warmth as energy is delivered to the structural layers; our practitioners adjust the intensity to your tolerance and can pause at any time. Neither treatment requires anaesthetic.

Can I have EMFACE and Ultherapy together?

Yes — combining the two is one of the most complete non-surgical approaches available. Because they work at different levels (EMFACE on muscle and skin from the surface, Ultherapy on the deep SMAS), they complement rather than duplicate each other. A common protocol is Ultherapy for foundational deep lifting, followed by a course of EMFACE for muscle tone and skin quality. Your practitioner will sequence them appropriately during your consultation.

Which one is right for my age and concerns?

As a general guide, EMFACE suits patients in their 30s to 50s looking to tone, lift, and improve skin quality before significant sagging sets in, as well as anyone who wants a needle-free option. Ultherapy suits patients with established laxity — visible jowls, a dropped brow, or loose neck skin — who want the deepest non-surgical lift. The best way to decide is a consultation where we assess your skin and muscle tone in person.

How long do the results last?

Ultherapy results typically last 1–2 years, as the stimulated collagen gradually remodels over time. EMFACE results generally last around a year with the recommended maintenance sessions. Both treatments work with your body's natural processes, so ongoing ageing continues — periodic maintenance keeps the effect looking its best.

How much do EMFACE and Ultherapy cost at 99 Medispa?

Pricing depends on the treatment area and, for EMFACE, the number of sessions in your course; Ultherapy is priced by the number of lines/shots required. We offer both treatments at our Sydney CBD clinic at 99 York St. Book a consultation for personalised pricing based on your specific concerns and goals.

Treatment Comparison

EMFACE vs Ultherapy

Muscle Toning or Deep Lifting — Which Is Right for You?

Both rejuvenate the face without surgery. The difference is how they work — one tones muscle and skin from the surface, the other lifts from the structural layer beneath.

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Treatment Overview

Two Modern Approaches to a Younger Face

If you're researching non-surgical face lifting in Sydney, two names come up again and again: EMFACE and Ultherapy. Both are non-invasive, require no needles to the deep tissue, and stimulate your body's own collagen for natural, progressive improvement. Neither requires incisions, anaesthesia, or recovery time.

The critical difference is where and how they act. EMFACE combines synchronised radiofrequency — which heats the skin to remodel collagen and elastin — with HIFES electromagnetic energy, which contracts and tones the facial muscles that support your features. Ultherapy uses micro-focused ultrasound to deposit heat precisely at 1.5mm, 3.0mm, and 4.5mm, reaching the SMAS — the deep structural layer a facelift addresses.

At 99 Medispa, we offer both at our Sydney CBD clinic. That means your practitioner can assess your skin, muscle tone, and goals, and recommend the treatment — or the combination — that best matches your face, rather than steering you toward the one device they happen to own.

Muscle & Skin Toning

How EMFACE Works

EMFACE places applicators on the forehead and cheeks — no needles, no hand-piece passes. Each 20-minute session delivers two synchronised energies at once: radiofrequency to warm and remodel the skin, and HIFES (high-intensity facial electromagnetic stimulation) to contract the facial muscles thousands of times.

The radiofrequency stimulates new collagen and elastin, improving skin firmness and texture, while the muscle stimulation re-tones and effectively 'lifts' the supporting structures — much like exercise for the face. The result is a more lifted, defined, and refreshed appearance.

EMFACE is delivered as a course of four sessions and is completely needle-free, making it a popular choice for patients who want toning and skin quality without injectables or downtime.

Best for: Early to moderate laxity, mid-face flattening, loss of muscle tone, patients wanting a needle-free, non-thermal-deep option with skin-quality benefits.

Ultrasound Lifting

How Ultherapy Works

Ultherapy delivers micro-focused ultrasound energy to precise depths beneath the skin. A real-time imaging screen lets the practitioner see the tissue layers before firing, ensuring energy is placed exactly where it will be most effective.

The three depths — 1.5mm, 3.0mm, and 4.5mm (the SMAS layer) — allow several concerns to be addressed in one session. The 4.5mm reach is Ultherapy's defining advantage: no other non-invasive treatment reaches this structural layer, the same one lifted in a surgical facelift.

The focused heat triggers neocollagenesis — your body replaces old collagen with new, stronger fibres. The lifting effect builds over 2–3 months and typically lasts 1–2 years from a single session.

Best for: Visible sagging, jowls, brow descent, neck laxity, patients wanting the deepest non-surgical lift available in a single session.

Direct Comparison

EMFACE vs Ultherapy: At a Glance

Feature	EMFACE	Ultherapy
Energy type	Synchronised RF + HIFES muscle stimulation	Micro-focused ultrasound
Acts on	Skin (collagen/elastin) + facial muscle	Deep structural SMAS layer
Max depth	Surface skin + muscle layer	4.5mm (SMAS layer)
Needles	None	None
Real-time imaging	No	Yes (DepthSEE ultrasound visualisation)
Session length	~20 minutes	30–90 minutes
Sessions needed	Course of 4	Typically 1
Results visible	Weeks, building over months	2–3 months (progressive)
Duration of results	~1 year with maintenance	1–2 years
Downtime	None	None
Treatment areas	Forehead, cheeks, submentum	Face, neck, decolletage (brow lift cleared)
Discomfort level	Mild (warmth + contractions)	Moderate (deep warmth, brief tingling)
Best primary benefit	Toning, definition, skin quality	Deep structural lift

Where Each Treatment Acts

Surface to Structure, Side by Side

The clearest way to understand the difference is to see where each treatment delivers its energy. EMFACE works across the skin and facial muscle from the surface, while Ultherapy reaches the deep SMAS layer at 4.5mm.

Cross-section infographic comparing where each treatment acts: EMFACE applies radiofrequency and HIFES across the skin and facial muscle layer, while Ultherapy delivers focused ultrasound to the deep SMAS at 4.5mm. — A graphical representation of the skin, muscle, and structural layers of the face. Tissue depth and thickness vary across different areas.

Decision Guide

Which Treatment Is Right for You?

The best choice depends on your concerns, the stage of ageing, and your preferences. Here's a practical guide:

Choose EMFACE If:

You're in your 30s–50s and want to tone and lift before significant sagging sets in
You're noticing mid-face flattening or loss of facial muscle tone
You want skin-quality improvement (firmness, texture) alongside lifting
You prefer a completely needle-free, non-injectable option
You're comfortable committing to a short course of four sessions
You want a comfortable, relaxed treatment with no downtime

Choose Ultherapy If:

Your primary concern is visible sagging, jowls, or a dropped brow line
You want the deepest non-surgical lift available (4.5mm SMAS layer)
You're interested in a non-surgical brow or neck lift
You'd prefer to achieve your result in a single session
You value real-time ultrasound imaging during treatment
You have established laxity that toning alone won't fully address

The combination approach: Many patients choose both — Ultherapy for foundational deep lifting from the SMAS, followed by a course of EMFACE for muscle tone and skin quality. Because they work at different levels, they complement each other for a more complete result than either achieves alone. At 99 Medispa, we have both on-site in Sydney CBD, so you can access the combination in one place.

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Take the Next Step

Not Sure Which Treatment Is Right?

Book a consultation with our specialists. We have both EMFACE and Ultherapy on-site at our Sydney CBD clinic, so you'll get an unbiased recommendation based on your unique skin and muscle tone — not the one device we happen to sell.

Your consultation is completely free to book, with no deposit required.