Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026
04:27
Using Facial Electromyography to Assess Facial Muscle Reactions to Experienced and Observed Affective Touch in Humans
Published on: March 15, 2019
Facial Electrical Muscle Stimulation for Soft-tissue Lifting and Symmetry Enhancement
Kyung-Tae Bae1, Anush Galstian2, Suyeon Lee3
1From the It's Me Clinic, Sejong, South Korea.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Global Open
|July 25, 2026
Summary
Facial neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is safe and feasible for aesthetic applications. This study observed subtle improvements in facial tone, symmetry, and appearance after NMES treatment.
Area of Science:
- Aesthetics
- Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES)
Background:
- Evidence for aesthetic applications of facial NMES is limited.
- Facial NMES is typically used for functional muscle recruitment.
- This study explored aesthetic outcomes of facial NMES.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document soft-tissue appearance changes after facial NMES.
- To assess treatment tolerance for aesthetic facial NMES.
- To investigate targeted NMES for lip elevator complex and orbicularis oculi.
Main Methods:
- Seven adults (24-39 years) received 10 NMES sessions.
- Bilateral periocular and perioral stimulation was applied.
- Standardized photographs were taken pre- and post-treatment.
Main Results:
- All participants tolerated treatment well with no adverse events.
- Subtle qualitative improvements in commissural elevation and perioral/periocular tone were observed.
- One participant showed improved smile symmetry.
Conclusions:
- Targeted facial NMES is feasible and well-tolerated for aesthetic purposes.
- Qualitative photographic changes in soft-tissue appearance and symmetry were observed.
- Further research is warranted to explore aesthetic NMES applications.
Related Concept Videos
01:14Muscles for Facial Expressions
The craniofacial muscles are a collection of approximately 20 thin skeletal muscles situated beneath the skin of the face and scalp. These muscles, primarily responsible for the vast array of human facial expressions, originate from the bones or fibrous structures of the skull and extend outwards to connect with the skin. While most skeletal muscles in the body are enveloped in thick fascia, facial muscles generally have a more delicate fascial covering, with the buccinator muscle being a...
01:22Muscle Stimulation Frequency
The contraction strength of muscles is regulated by motor neurons, which modulate the frequency of action potentials dispatched to the motor units based on the body's requirements. This process of varying the muscle stimulation frequency allows muscles to contract with a force that is precisely tailored to the needs of the moment, whether lifting a feather or a heavy box.
Wave summation
At low firing rates, motor neurons induce individual twitch contractions in muscle fibers. These twitches...
Wave summation
At low firing rates, motor neurons induce individual twitch contractions in muscle fibers. These twitches...