Business and family obligations don't leave me with much free time. Still, since I believe that in every field, especially in mine, one never stops learning, I often reach for professional literature during leisure moments. It was on a chilly Zagreb morning when a scientific paper on HIFEM electromagnetic muscle stimulation, which is set to transform the world of non-surgical body contouring, came into my hands. It reminded me of the articles I read at the very beginning of my career, about injectable treatments that would almost completely replace painful surgical procedures requiring lengthy recovery periods. It felt as though I were reading science fiction rather than scientific literature... Since those earlier predictions turned out to be true, as we witness daily today, I did not allow myself to be skeptical.
Not long after that day, I was once again convinced that modern aesthetic medicine is finding new solutions almost daily, aiming to make the surgical scalpel, as I like to say, a museum exhibit. I received an invitation to an exclusive Christmas party in Knightsbridge. The invitation came from Dr. Rita Rakus, London's "Lip Queen", whose aesthetic clinic is literally across from the famous Harrods. Rita Rakus' clientele is a sort of "who's who" of British social life, and her Christmas parties are legendary. As Dr. Rakus and I had collaborated very nicely on our TAMC congress in Dubrovnik, the head nurse of Milojević Polyclinic, Tea, and I, got into a black cab and headed to South London with great excitement, after a long day at our Milo Clinic on Harley Street.
As soon as we walked through the doors of Rita’s clinic, we realized this was not going to be just an ordinary party. Already in the waiting room, I recognized many celebrities, and some treatment was taking place in every room. Many guests were receiving IV therapy, CoolSculpting for fat freezing was being presented, Ultherapy (HIFU) for face tightening was demonstrated, but what fascinated me the most was the first presentation of the very HIFEM technology I had been reading about - the unveiling of the Emsculpt device. That evening will forever remain etched in my memory and was certainly a turning point in my career. Interestingly, at that party, one of Rita’s close friends, a fortune-teller, "predicted" that I would live to the age of 117... but that’s a story for another time, and we’ll return to this topic in one of the future blog posts where I’ll focus more on the subject of longevity.
So, this is a story about two devices - one for the face (EmFace) and one for the body (Emsculpt, or rather Emsculpt Neo). EmFace only entered the market about three years after that night in London, but it is just as impressive as its older sibling, Emsculpt.
But let's go back a bit in time.
The fascination with the perfect body is not just a phenomenon of today, when gyms are more popular than ever and hundreds of apps offer countless home workout methods. Aesthetic body procedures are more popular than ever, and medications like Ozempic and various diets, such as the Liposuction Diet, are becoming increasingly common… Numerous historical records reveal that this fascination already existed in the times of the ancient Romans and Greeks. They exercised and sculpted their bodies to perfection in "primitive" gyms, using equipment built from wood and stone. They often worked out in public baths, believing in the motto that remains a sacred principle even today - a healthy mind in a healthy body!
The desire for a perfectly tight face and the "fear" of aging also have deep roots in the past. From Cleopatra, who used crushed insects like cockroaches to apply lipstick to her lips, thereby enhancing and rejuvenating them, to the Hollywood legend Marilyn Monroe. The famous beauty, who tragically passed away before the development of cosmetic surgery, had a very rigorous skincare routine, and it is also known that she visited a cosmetologist for facial cleansing and massage treatments. Throughout history, women have often resorted to various "face taping" methods in an (unsuccessful) attempt to fight the inevitable sagging of the skin and facial muscles.
Believe it or not, the earliest electrical muscle stimulation dates back to ancient times, as far as 500 years before Christ, when the Egyptians discovered that certain fish, like eels, produce electricity, and they used this method to treat pain and various illnesses. Although scientists like Altus Kratzstein in the 18th and 19th centuries were among the first to demonstrate how muscles could be manipulated with electricity, it wasn't until the 21st century that effective methods emerged. This breakthrough is credited to the company BTL, which, by launching EmFace and Emsculpt Neo, brought the future into the present.
But this is not just a story about two devices. This is a story of a paradigm shift, the moment when aesthetic medicine stopped being about painful procedures and became the art of shaping the face and body with the help of pure energy. Until recently, it was believed that facial muscles couldn’t be strengthened, that gravity was unforgiving, and that hours and hours of face yoga and incredible dedication were required to achieve any results. Not to mention how much time such dedication would take in today’s fast-paced life…
We often hear that after a certain age, let's say in our forties, we have to make a choice: face or body? A few extra pounds may bother the critical areas of the body, but beautifully fill the face, and vice versa. How do we reconcile this? Of course, a healthy lifestyle and physical activity are always welcome, but sometimes even that isn't enough to achieve the desired results. That's where our two gentle giants step in: Emsculpt Neo and EmFace.
Emsculpt Neo - the most advanced technology on the market for muscle stimulation and a perfect body
To start, let me explain what HIFEM™ is. HIFEM™ stands for a trademarked term owned by BTL Industries Ltd., and the technology is named after the English words High Intensity Focused Electro Magnetic stimulation. It refers to a focused high-intensity magnetic field. This unique technology, owned by BTL, was first introduced in 2017 with the Emsella device for pelvic floor muscle stimulation, and then in 2018, the Emsculpt device was launched for body shaping by strengthening muscles and breaking down fat. Emsculpt, based on results from 7 clinical studies before its market debut, was the only device on the aesthetic market designed for treating muscle tissue, while other devices in the aesthetics field mostly targeted fat and connective tissue, thus impacting body shaping. HIFEM™ technology brought the global success of the Emsculpt device and opened up new possibilities for addressing aesthetic demands from clients who, in line with the rise of social media popularity, increased their expectations for a healthy and fit appearance. The key component of the final result, the client's appearance, is now provided by toned and enhanced muscles that support connective and subcutaneous fat tissue, thus creating more attractive body contours.
BTL, recognizing the needs of its clients, i.e., professionals in the aesthetics field, as well as their end clients, took a step further by creating a completely new product: Emsculpt Neo. This device combines HIFEM+™ technology and Synchronized RF™ technology (radiofrequency) in a uniquely designed applicator. Until then, this was technically impossible!
Now, many of you might ask - how can you achieve an athletic body without spending hours in the gym? Is it possible to create abdominal muscles without doing a single crunch? Emsculpt Neo is the answer.
Imagine lying on a bed and having a 30-minute treatment do what would normally take you months of intense training. No sweat, no fatigue, no pain - just pure power. How is this possible?
HIFEM™ technology activates the muscles so intensely that in just one treatment, 20,000 contractions occur, while radiofrequency reduces fat deposits by up to 30%. After four treatments, patients look like they've spent months in the gym - without lifting a finger. We already know that, in addition to beautifully reshaping and firming the body, Emsculpt accelerates the results of exercise, making it a favorite among athletes. It's known to be used by NFL players and many Olympians, such as Milojević Polyclinic’s client, the famous tennis player Donna Vekić.
It is also highly effective as a rehabilitation aid after injuries and in treating diastasis (separation) of the abdominal muscles after childbirth. On top of everything mentioned, it’s super-effective in melting fat and tightening the skin.
Just four 30-minute Emsculpt Neo treatments over the course of 4 weeks work on the body as if you had completed 3 to 4 months of intense resistance training, or exercises aimed at improving muscle strength and endurance, but without any effort because you simply lie down. During this time, your muscles strengthen, and fat deposits melt away - and this effect is long-lasting. In the next three months after the treatments, the body typically has 25% more muscle and 30% less fat.
Impressive results have been scientifically proven in clinical studies on the effects of the most innovative body sculpting device, Emsculpt Neo, the only one of its kind in the world. This combines two technologies - intense electromagnetic stimulation (HIFEM) and radiofrequency, which work simultaneously during treatments, complementing each other. While HIFEM stimulates thousands of contractions in the muscles, which leads to their growth and strengthening, radiofrequency gently warms the tissue, promoting fat breakdown and tightening the skin. It also acts on the muscles like a warm-up before exercise: increasing blood circulation, and thus improving oxygen and nutrient supply, contributing to faster muscle development.
Why choose an Emsculpt Neo treatment instead of others on similar devices? It’s no coincidence that after the invention of Emsculpt Neo, the first such device on the market, many "copies" appeared. But they are just that - copies that lack the same power, results, and RF technology. You might wonder why these other treatments are cheaper. The answer is simple: Emsculpt Neo is more effective than other devices, which require a much larger number of treatments to achieve the results that Emsculpt Neo can deliver.
Emsculpt Neo is a simple and painless treatment that can reshape and firm the abdomen, hips, buttocks, upper arms, and calves. During the treatment, an applicator is placed on the targeted area, emitting both electromagnetic and radiofrequency energy simultaneously. Four 30-minute sessions, spaced one week apart, are recommended, with optimal results visible two to three months after the final treatment. To maintain the results, treatments can be repeated every 6 to 12 months. It’s worth noting that people with a higher body weight (body mass index up to 35) can also undergo these treatments.
At Poliklinika Milojević, we combine Emsculpt with CoolSculpting, Med Contour, and Onda Coolwaves for incredible results. Truly, I can proudly say that no other clinic in Croatia or beyond offers such an extensive range of non-surgical body shaping devices.
No prior preparation is needed for Emsculpt Neo, and you can continue with your usual activities right after the treatment. Of course, to make the treatments even more effective, it’s best to incorporate them into a healthy lifestyle. The best results are achieved with a balanced diet, regular exercise, and sufficient sleep.
EmFace: The Magic of Facial Lifting Without Needles
Now is the right time to explain what HIFES™ technology is. HIFES™ stands for High Intensity Electric Field Stimulation, and it refers to the technology used in EmFace applicators for synchronized skin rejuvenation and strengthening the fine elevator muscles of the face, resulting in a non-invasive facelift. Simply put, HIFES™ technology does on the face what Emsculpt Neo does on the body. By combining these two technologies within the EmFace applicator, the effect is the warming of the skin and strengthening of specific facial muscles that work against gravity, i.e., the elevators. Unlike the previously accepted approach of weakening the depressor muscles with neurotoxins, EmFace and HIFES™ have introduced a completely new approach to non-invasive facelifting!
Before I explain exactly what this miraculous EmFace is, let’s take a little trip back in time. Nearly 40 years ago, British woman Eva Fraser was the first in the world to describe a detailed facial muscle exercise program, known as face yoga, and she is the pioneer of this technique. Now, at 89 years old, her youthful appearance is the best proof that these exercises can successfully rejuvenate and maintain a youthful look (along with proper skin care, protection, and a healthy lifestyle). I’ll let you in on a secret. In the early 21st century, she came to my clinic on Harley Street as a patient. And before you say, "Ah, it must have been because of Botox and dermal fillers", I’ll reveal that she was indeed my patient, and I can confirm that she didn’t use aesthetic procedures. Instead, she diligently performed her exercises, and even in her 60s, she looked 20 years younger. But here’s the problem: face yoga is effective, but only with immense discipline. You need to do these intense facial exercises every day for an hour to achieve the appearance of Eva Fraser. Well, EmFace, in just 4 treatments, achieves results equivalent to 6 months of face yoga-and that’s just the beginning...
HIFES™ technology activates the facial muscles, strengthening them like an invisible workout, lifting the contours and restoring firmness to the face, while radiofrequency warms the tissue, stimulates collagen and elastin, erases wrinkles, and brings back the youthful tone of the skin. The result? A naturally lifted face with tightened, glowing skin. Sounds like science fiction? That's exactly how Botox sounded when it first appeared. Today, everyone uses it.
As a result of the inevitable aging process, we not only lose the fat deposits that give the face its plumpness but also muscle tone, causing the face to begin "sagging". Muscle electrostimulation lifts the face, similar to practicing face yoga, but unlike exercises that require daily practice over a long period to see results, EmFace works much faster and more efficiently. Clinical studies have shown that EmFace increases the muscle tone of the face by 30%, giving it fullness, while reducing wrinkles by as much as 37%. EmFace is an excellent alternative for those who don’t want injections for wrinkles like Botox and dermal fillers. However, it’s optimal to combine EmFace with Botox or dermal fillers for even more comprehensive and refined results, though they should not be applied simultaneously. You can start with EmFace about a month after receiving Botox or fillers, or Botox and dermal fillers can be done immediately after an EmFace treatment.
EmFace is performed by placing probes, or applicators, on the forehead and cheeks using special adhesive pads. However, innovations in EmFace technology are introduced every year, so now we also have applicators for the submental and under-eye area, providing effective treatment for both concerns. The treatment lasts 20 minutes, and four sessions are recommended, spaced one week apart. For even better results, a package of 6 treatments can be done. Right after the first treatment, the face takes on a fresher appearance, with optimal results visible on average 90 days after the last treatment, and these results continue to improve over the following weeks. To maintain the results, it is recommended to repeat treatments every 6 to 12 months.
In addition to everything mentioned, EmFace is painless, and besides the initial facial cleansing, no special preparation or downtime is required. The treatments are suitable for individuals with various skin types and conditions, including hyperpigmentation and rosacea.
As expected, it didn’t take long for EmFace and Emsculpt Neo to make their way into the secret beauty routines of celebrities. Kim Kardashian swears by EmFace for lifting her face, just like our own Tatjana Dragović and Jelena Veljača, and Jelena Rozga has recently further defined her muscles at Poliklinika Milojević to look and feel better on stage. These treatments are also for men-just ask our Vlaho Arbulić, who further sculpted his perfect body with the help of Emsculpt Neo. I can vouch for it myself; I often undergo both treatments and hope to greet my 117th year in the best shape possible thanks to this incredible modern technology. But who knows what the future holds and what innovations will help people live long, healthy, and in shape.
Aesthetic medicine is no longer just about wrinkle correction or lip enhancement. Now, we’re talking about regeneration, about completely resetting time.
Welcome to the new era of aesthetic medicine, where Emsculpt Neo and EmFace bring something revolutionary-technology that shapes muscles, melts fat, rejuvenates the face, and restores youthful firmness to the skin, all without spending hours at the gym or under the knife of a plastic surgeon.
Ready for the revolution?