“I never thought I would do it, but I did – And I loved it”
Have you ever heard about a non-invasive aesthetic treatment and found yourself wondering, ‘What would that actually be like?’
Review
As one of the only men working in the Local Women offices, I have seen my colleagues and friends try out different treatments over the last few years but I never thought they were for me. I’ve spent years immersed in conversations about skin, ageing, confidence and self-care. I’ve sat through countless discussions about injectables, lasers and “tweakments”. And yet, whenever that conversation turned on me and someone asked, “Would you ever try something yourself?”, I usually laughed it off.
The truth is, curiosity was always there — just quietly parked in the background. Like most people my age, I’ve watched my face change over time. Deep horizontal lines have settled across my forehead, the lines around my eyes have grown more pronounced, and my cheeks aren’t quite as full as they once were. None of this bothered me hugely; I felt like the natural rhythm of ageing. But that didn’t mean I was blind to it either.
There are moments — usually under harsh lighting or in an unforgiving photograph — when you notice that tiredness seems to linger on your face longer than it used to.
What first drew my attention to Emface was not vanity, but technology. I had attended one of BTL’s conferences, where Emface was being presented. I’d seen before-and-after images many times before — they’re part and parcel of the aesthetics world — but this felt different. What intrigued me was the science behind it: a non-invasive treatment designed to lift and tone the face by working with facial muscles and skin, without needles, injections, or surgery.
That immediately appealed to me.
I’ve never been drawn to the idea of injectables. The thought of something subtle, natural, and non-invasive felt far more aligned with how I see myself. I remember thinking at the time, “Maybe that’s something I’d consider down the line.”
I didn’t realise that “down the line” would come sooner than expected.
During a visit to Dublin, I was speaking with Dee, the Managing Director of BTL in Ireland. Without any big sales pitch or pressure, she simply suggested I try it. “Come upstairs and give it a go,” she said. No long consultation, no time to overthink it. And in hindsight, that’s probably why I said yes.
Moments later, I found myself lying on a treatment bed while the Emface applicators were positioned on my face. The machine was switched on, and I felt an immediate buzzing sensation, paired with a gentle warmth. It wasn’t uncomfortable — in fact, it was surprisingly pleasant. The intensity was gradually increased until it reached the highest setting, which apparently impressed Dee.
There was no pain to speak of. If anything, it felt like my facial muscles were being reminded that they still had a job to do.
Before-and-after photographs were taken, and even immediately afterwards, I noticed subtle but real changes. The deep lines on my forehead appeared softer, and the lines at the sides of my eyes were less obvious. I hadn’t gone in with expectations — if anything, I’d been sceptical — but I couldn’t deny what I was seeing.
That initial experience led me to continue the treatment closer to home at Roslyn Aesthetics in Gilgormley. It was there that I completed a full course of Emface sessions. From the outset, the experience felt calm, professional and unhurried. Roslyn took time to explain exactly what the treatment does, how it works, and what I could realistically expect — something I found both reassuring and refreshing.
Each session followed the same simple rhythm. I’d lie back, the pads would be applied to my face, and I’d be encouraged to relax. As the treatment began, that familiar buzzing sensation returned, along with a tightening feeling as the muscles in my face contracted. You’re very aware that something is happening — but it never crossed into discomfort for me.
What struck me most was the sensation of lifting as it was happening. You could feel your face working, tightening, engaging. And once the pads were removed, there was no redness, no soreness, and no downtime. Just a refreshed feeling — as though my face had woken up.
Over a period of several weeks, I had one treatment at a time, with photographs taken before and after each session. Gradually, the changes became more noticeable. My skin looked firmer, my face appeared more lifted, and there was an overall sense of freshness that hadn’t been there before.
This wasn’t about changing how I look — it was about looking like a better-rested, more energised version of myself.
The kind of difference people notice without being able to pinpoint why.
What surprised me most was the confidence boost. I hadn’t gone into this seeking confidence, but it found me anyway. Catching your reflection and liking what you see has a powerful effect. There’s a subtle feel-good factor that carries into how you present yourself, how you hold yourself, and how you engage with others.
This was my first ever non-invasive aesthetic treatment, and I can honestly say the results exceeded anything I expected. Emface does exactly what it says it will do. There are no needles, no injectables, and no drastic changes — just a natural lift, improved tone, and a more refreshed appearance.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Not just to women, but to men — especially those who may feel hesitant, sceptical, or unsure about aesthetic treatments like I once did.
I was one of those people.
For me, Emface has become my go-to treatment. A subtle, science-led option that respects the face you already have — just helps it look a little more like itself again.
And at this stage of life, that feels like more than enough.
