Electrical Muscle Stimulation for Skin Care and Facial Treatment

You've heard of electrical muscle stimulation at-home treatments, but do they really work? Here's what you need to know about EMS home-treatment systems, from their safety to their efficacy.
EMS for Skin Care and Facial Treatment

Electrical Muscle Stimulation: The Low-down

Electric impulses are naturally produced in our body, causing our muscles to contract. Essentially, this is how we move. If we lose the ability to move or contract a muscle, it leads to atrophy and loss of function of that body part.

With the use of EMS devices, we can mimic these impulses to tone muscles.

EMSalso known as electromyostimulation or Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) is the method of using electric impulses to stimulate muscle contractions. It is mainly used in physical therapy, as strength training for athletes, and as a preventive and rehabilitative therapy for people with impaired mobility. EMS is also used in cosmetics as electrotherapy.


Electrical Muscle Stimulation: A Workout for Your Face

Here at Trophy Skin, we’re concentrating on the cosmetic electrotherapy branch of EMS. Our EMS device uses gentle, low-level microcurrent impulses to stimulate facial nerves. 

When the nerves are engaged, they send a message to the brain. Neurons in the brain then return the message to the surrounding muscle fibers, causing them to expand and contract.

This expansion and contraction is precisely what your body does when you’re working out. When you use an EMS device on your face, think of it as every muscle group doing tiny crunches. The result is a toned look, with skin that’s tighter and smoother. One of our favorite parts is that the benefits are immediate with no recovery time.

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How EMS work

How EMS Facials Work

You have 43 muscles in your face. In order for them to stay toned, they need to be active—and that’s where EMS comes in. As your facial muscles get their workout from an EMS machine, your body responds by increasing the output of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). 

ATP is the primary chemical energy source for muscular functions, enhancing overall strength and flexibility. Your body also accesses ATP for cellular functions, driving skin cell turnover and renewal ­for firmness and suppleness.

Consistent EMS use can give your jawline and cheeks a more distinct, chiseled, and contoured appearance. EMS can also boost your overall cellular metabolism, increase blood circulation for a healthy glow, and support your natural lymphatic system processes to flush toxins out of the body.

Additionally, the firming and lifting of each set of muscles reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while restoring the skin’s youthful elasticity. 

Basically, as your collagen production accelerates, you benefit from all the goodness it brings.


BrightenMD face wand

The BrightenMD Multi-Function Tool

The BrightenMD is a small, handheld, 4-in-1 tool that combines EMS technology with therapeutic warming, ultrasonic vibration, and red light therapy. It's suitable for use around the eyes and on the face and neck to help reverse the visible effects of aging and sun damage.

One of the best parts? The BrightenMD is small enough to fit in your purse or clutch and can go with you anywhere for facial refreshing on demand.

Therapeutic Warming

therapeutic warming

Therapeutic warming delivers stimulation deep into the skin’s layers for improved circulation. The activation of your lymphatic system helps cleanse dead and dying skin cells from your body naturally. But don’t worry—the device never gets too warm to the touch, keeping your experience comfortable and soothing.

Microcurrent EMS


microcurrent EMS

The EMS function gently lifts and tones your skin, upping your collagen and elastin production. Your body uses these building blocks to restructure scaffolding under the skin’s surface, remodeling from within. The result is more elastin fibers and collagen thickness.

Red Light Therapy


red light therapy

Medical-grade LED lights send safe, warm non-UV light directly into the skin’s layers, which prompts cellular turnover and renewal. Over time, your body rejuvenates itself from the inside out, revealing fresh new skin cells that look young and smooth. Minor skin imperfections simply fade away, replaced with supple facial skin.

Sonic Vibration


ultrasonic vibration

A gentle ultrasonic setting works to relax and open pores gently for maximum absorption of your chosen serum. The extra depth that the serum reaches can provide a long-lasting effect to keep your skin nourished and supple for hours. Vibrations also stimulate circulation and give your face a healthy glow.

How Safe is At-Home EMS?

Using a handheld device at home to prompt electronic muscle stimulation is safe as long as the device you are using has been developed, manufactured, and tested with safety as the priority.

The BrightenMD has a smart-touch sensor that turns the device on when it is in contact with the skin. 

You'll only need to avoid using at-home EMS if you:

  • Have a skin disease, condition, malignancy, or cuts
  • Have another serious medical condition (check with your doctor if you're unsure)
  • Are pregnant or trying to get pregnant
  • Have an increased sensory response or epilepsy
  • Use a pacemaker or other active implant

The BrightenMD can serve as a stand-alone treatment, combining all four therapies as a single step to get you closer to your best skin. You can also use it in conjunction with your favorite serums to enhance absorption. The small, handheld device is safe enough for use several times daily to maintain a youthful, healthy glow and keep your skin supple and glowing. 

Are you ready for spa-level EMS treatment in the comfort of your own home? Try the BrightenMD four-in-one facial tool today.


Meet BrightenMD, Your New Favorite Tool!

Refresh with this quick, effective and relaxing treatment!

  • Small, portable design makes it perfect to drop in your bag to refresh anywhere!
  • Smart touch sensor turns on when in contact with your skin

Compact Multi-Function Eye, Face, Neck Tool with Red Light Therapy, Sonic Vibration, EMS Technology and Gentle Warming Function

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Resources

Adams, V. (2018) Electromyostimulation to Fight Atrophy and to Build Muscle: Facts and Numbers

https://www.healthline.com/health/microneedling 

Cobb, C. (2018) 5 Experts on Electrical Facials

https://intothegloss.com/2018/04/electrical-facial-benefits/

Into the Gloss (2018) 5 Experts on Electrical Facials

https://intothegloss.com/2018/04/electrical-facial-benefits/ 

Medicine LibreTexts (2019) How Do My Muscles Get the Energy to Perform Work?

https://med.libretexts.org/Courses/Sacramento_City_College/SCC%3A_Nutri_300_(Coppola)/Text/10%3A_Physical_Fitness/10.5%3A_How_do_my_muscles_get_the_Energy_to_perform_work%3F#:~:text=The%20source%20of%20energy%20that,more%20ATP%20must%20start%20quickly. 

Minnis, G. (2019) Is E-Stim the Answer to Your Pain?

https://www.healthline.com/health/pain-relief/e-stim 

Scheve, T. (2021) How Many Muscles Does It Take to Smile?

https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/emotions/muscles-smile.htm#:~:text=There%20are%2043%20muscles%20in,%2C%20buccal%2C%20mandibular%20and%20cervical.