Facial Contouring in Des Moines

Sculpt Your Strongest Profile | Facial Contouring

A Brightside Aesthetics provider is helping a patient prepare for Emface facial contouring in Des Moines.

The new year is finally here at Brightside Aesthetics by Ducharme Dermatology! Now that 2025 has officially begun, it’s the perfect time to put your best face forward with facial contouring in Des Moines.

From hyaluronic acid-based fillers to treatments that boost your natural collagen supply, we have all the options you need to create your ideal facial contours.

Keep reading our blog to learn more about our top 3 treatments for sculpting your sharpest profile. Ready to speak with one of our aesthetic experts? Visit our website or give us a call to schedule your initial consultation.

What is facial contouring?

Facial contouring includes cosmetic treatments that reshape different areas of the face. These procedures are best suited for patients who want to give their features a lift and create a defined, youthful appearance.

Our experts recommend using facial contouring to address the following areas:

  • Neck
  • Chin
  • Jawline
  • Cheekbones
  • Temples

At Brightside Aesthetics, we can customize your facial contouring experience to address your unique aesthetic needs. We offer a range of facial contouring options, including filler, muscle-contracting treatments, and devices that boost the body’s collagen supply. This level of personalization allows patients to choose between minimally invasive solutions and more intensive treatments.

Our Favorite Facial Contouring Treatments

When it comes to facial contouring, you need a team of experts who are passionate about helping patients throughout their self-confidence journey. At Brightside Aesthetics, we’ll stop at no end to make sure you feel great about your treatment results.

Here are our top 3 treatments for facial contouring in Des Moines.

Emface

If you’re in search of a noninvasive, needle-free facial contouring treatment, look no further than Emface!

Emface uses a combination of radiofrequency energy and high-intensity focused electromagnetic stimulation (HIFES) to lift the muscles of the face.

First, Emface triggers intense muscle contractions by using 3 facial applicators that deliver HIFES. These contractions strengthen facial muscles to help restore volume in your facial features.

At the same time, Emface stimulates the body’s natural healing response by using thermal energy from radiofrequency. This boosts collagen and elastin production, the primary protein building blocks of the body. Once increased, these proteins work together to improve and strengthen the skin’s cellular structure.

Along with facial contouring, Emface can treat:

  • Wrinkles
  • Fine lines
  • Loss of facial volume
  • Skin laxity

Who’s a good candidate for Emface?

Nearly everyone is a great candidate for Emface facial contouring! Our team of experts recommend Emface to patients who are between 18 and 75 years old, are in good health, and are experiencing a loss in facial volume. We also recommend this treatment to patients who prefer less-invasive aesthetic treatment options.

We cannot use Emface on patients with an active skin infection or recent sunburn in the treatment area. We also recommend stopping the use of isotretinoin (Accutane) at least 12 months before your Emface appointment. Be sure to notify your provider if you have had a recent surgery or metal implants in the treatment area.

Emface at Brightside Aesthetics

Here’s what you can expect when you choose Brightside Aesthetics for your Emface facial contouring treatment.

A front-desk administrator at Brightside Aesthetics is scheduling a patient's appointment for facial contouring in Des Moines.
Before

In the days before your appointment for Emface facial contouring in Des Moines, we recommend drinking plenty of water. Keeping your body hydrated before your appointment will help promote healing and enhance your facial contouring results.

We also recommend avoiding direct sun exposure in the weeks before and after your Emface treatment. If you must be in the sun, wear sunscreen with a minimum of 30 SPF.

Treatment

For your Emface treatment session, your provider will first clean your treatment area and apply the cheek and forehead applicators.

Once your treatment starts, you may experience a pulsing sensation as your facial muscles contract. Many of our patients compare this feeling to a warming facial massage.

At Brightside Aesthetics, we recommend our patients undergo 4 to 6 Emface treatments spaced 1 week apart to achieve optimal facial contouring results.

After

After your Emface treatment, you may experience mild redness and muscle soreness. These side effects will continue to subside in the days after your treatment. Be sure to contact your provider if more serious side effects occur.

We recommend you avoid applying makeup for 12 hours after your Emface treatment. Our experts also suggest using gentle facial cleansers and skincare products in the following 2 weeks to not irritate your treatment area.

Exion Face

In need of a facial contouring treatment that targets skin laxity? Consider Exion Face!

Exion Face uses a combination of monopolar radiofrequency and targeted ultrasound to increase the body’s natural production of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid helps the skin stretch, flex, and reduce wrinkles by keeping tissues hydrated. By boosting hyaluronic acid, Exion Face improves skin laxity to create a youthful complexion.

Along with loose, sagging skin, Exion Face is great for:

  • Wrinkles
  • Fine lines
  • Large pores
  • Scarring
  • Stretch marks
Who’s a good candidate for Exion Face?

Similar to Emface, good candidates for Exion Face include patients who are over the age of 18, in good health, and experiencing skin laxity.

We cannot use Exion Face on patients who have an active infection, sunburn, or open wound in the treatment area. Be sure to notify your provider if you have electronic implants or an autoimmune condition that may complicate your treatment process.

Exion Face at Brightside Aesthetics

When you choose Brightside Aesthetics for your Exion Face treatment, you’re choosing a team of experts who have your best interests at heart. Here’s a brief overview of our treatment process for Exion Face facial contouring in Des Moines.

Before

In the 2 to 4 weeks before your Exion Face appointment, it’s of utmost importance that you discontinue the use of retinoids. This helps to ensure optimal treatment safety and minimizes the risk of adverse skin reactions.

We also recommend staying hydrated throughout the week leading up to your appointment. By drinking half your body weight in ounces of water, you’ll be hydrated enough to speed up your post-treatment recovery process.

Treatment

For your Exion Face treatment, your provider will first clean your treatment area and apply a topical anesthetic. This will help minimize discomfort throughout your treatment session.

Your provider will next run the Exion Face applicator over your treatment area. This process takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. Many of our patients describe the feeling of the Exion Face device passing over the skin as a warming, prickling sensation.

After

In the 2 weeks following your Exion Face facial contouring treatment, we recommend washing your skin with a gentle, scent-free cleanser and warm water. We also recommend continuing to avoid harsh skincare products and retinoids.

Avoid exposing your skin to direct sunlight for 2 weeks after your treatment. If you must be out in the sun, we recommend applying sunscreen with a 30 SPF to protect your skin.

Dermal Filler

If you’re looking to enhance your natural facial features and add volume to specific areas, dermal filler for facial contouring in Des Moines could be the right choice for you.

At Brightside Aesthetics, we offer our patients multiple filler options, including:

You and your provider will discuss which filler will best address your aesthetic concerns during your initial consultation.

Who’s a good candidate for dermal fillers?

Filler is a great treatment option for patients of all skin types and tones! We recommend dermal filler to patients who are at least 25 years of age, want to address a loss of facial volume, or would like to enhance their natural contours.

A provider at Brightside Aesthetics is adminstering dermal filler as a method for facial contouring in Des Moines.

 

Much like Emface and Exion Face, we cannot use filler on patients who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have an active infection in the treatment area. We recommend using caution with dermal fillers if you have any of the following conditions:

  • Dermatomyositis
  • Lupus
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Scleroderma
  • An allergy to lidocaine
  • Other autoimmune diseases
Dermal Filler at Brightside Aesthetics

With a wide range of dermal filler options, you can trust that your experience with facial contouring in Des Moines will be customized to your aesthetic goals. Here’s what you can expect from the dermal filler treatment process.

Before

Before your dermal filler appointment, you’ll stop by our office and meet with your injector for an in-depth consultation. This will be an opportunity for you to point out your areas of concern and describe how you would like to look after treatment.

At this time, your provider may ask about your medical history and any medications you’re currently taking. This is to mitigate the risk of an adverse skin reaction.

From there, your provider will create your personalized filler plan to contour your face.

Treatment

For your filler appointment, your provider will first apply a topical numbing cream to your treatment area. We also offer Pro-Nox, an FDA-cleared blend of nitrous oxide and oxygen, for short-term pain and anxiety relief.

From there, your provider will expertly and meticulously administer your filler injections for facial contouring in Des Moines. You will be able to see results immediately after your 20- to 30-minute appointment.

After

In the days after your filler appointment, you may experience mild bruising, soreness, and redness. These side effects will continue to subside in the following days. We recommend avoiding alcohol and tobacco products for 48 hours to not worsen these side effects.

We also recommend the following measures to avoid filler migration:

  • Sleep face up with your head elevated
  • Do not touch the treatment area
  • Avoid exercise and strenuous activities
  • Follow all post-care instructions from your provider

Book Your Appointment

Now that 2025 is finally here, we here at Brightside Aesthetics want you to walk through this new year with confidence. Between Emface, Exion Face, and dermal fillers, our options for facial contouring in Des Moines are truly endless.

The defined, youthful facial features of your dreams don’t have to feel out of reach. Visit our website or give us a call to schedule your initial consultation.

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