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Exion Face in Brookline, MA

Session Time:
30-45 minutes
Downtime:
None
Results Last:
About 12 months
FDA Status:
Cleared, 2022
Exion Face needle-free skin firming treatment in Brookline MA with the applicator on the cheek at Smile Brookline

Needle-Free Firming

Exion Face in Brookline, MA is a needle-free skin firming treatment that delivers monopolar radiofrequency and targeted ultrasound together, warming the dermis so the skin rebuilds its own hyaluronic acid, collagen and elastin. Sessions take 30 to 45 minutes with no downtime. Patients come from Coolidge Corner, Chestnut Hill, Newton and Cambridge.

Dr. Sara Stock, DDS added the BTL Exion platform alongside Emface so that skin quality and muscle tone can be treated as the separate problems they are. Exion Face is the applicator for laxity and firmness on the face, neck and decolletage, and it is the one most patients start with when the skin has thinned and loosened rather than the muscle beneath it having slackened.

Before and after Exion Face results showing firmer, smoother skin along the jawline at Smile Brookline MA

The Challenge

What Exion Face Changes Beneath the Surface

Understanding Skin Firmness

The skin itself has changed. It looks thinner across the cheeks, it no longer springs back the way it did, and the front of the neck has developed a fine crepey texture that shows in photographs. The jawline reads softer even though the face has not lost much weight. From the mid-thirties onward the dermis makes less collagen, less elastin and less hyaluronic acid, the molecule that holds water in the skin. Moisturiser improves the surface for an hour. It does not reach the layer where firmness is lost.
Exion Face reaches that layer without breaking the skin. Monopolar radiofrequency warms the dermis to the range that activates fibroblasts, the cells responsible for collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, while targeted ultrasound is delivered at the same moment through the same applicator. In a human histology study the combination raised the skin's own hyaluronic acid by roughly 68 percent at three months, where radiofrequency alone managed under 10 percent. Over four sessions the skin becomes firmer and better hydrated, with nothing injected and no time off.

Understanding Your Treatment

What Is Exion Face?

The Science of RF and Targeted Ultrasound

Exion Face is the needle-free applicator on the BTL EXION platform, an FDA-cleared device that delivers monopolar radiofrequency and targeted ultrasound to the skin at the same time. It treats mild to moderate laxity and loss of firmness on the face, neck and decolletage, and is one of three applicators among our EXION treatments, delivered by Dr. Sara Stock, DDS.

Radiofrequency warms the dermis to the range that stimulates fibroblasts, the cells that make collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, while the ultrasound reaches the same tissue alongside it. A 2025 human histology study found the pairing raised the skin's own hyaluronic acid by roughly 68 percent at three months. It feels like a warm massage, and firmness builds over the following weeks.

Treatment Timeline:

Treatment Time:
30 to 45 minutes
First Signs:
2 to 4 weeks
Full Effect:
3 months after course
Recovery:
None

What We Treat

Exion Face Treatment Areas

Face, Neck and Decolletage

Skin Laxity
Firms skin that has loosened across the cheeks and lower face
Jawline Softening
Tightens the skin along the jawline as dermal support returns
Crepey Neck
Improves thin, finely creased skin on the front of the neck
Dull, Dehydrated Skin
Raises the skin's own hyaluronic acid for a hydrated, plump look
Fine Lines
Softens fine lines around the eyes and mouth as the dermis thickens
Decolletage Laxity
Firms loose, sun-thinned skin across the upper chest

Benefits of Exion Face

Firmer skin, nothing injected

Needle-FreeNo needles, no injectables and no numbing cream requiredBoosts Hyaluronic AcidSkin's own hyaluronic acid rose about 68 percent at three months in histologyNo DowntimeReturn to work, makeup and exercise the same day as each sessionComfortable SessionsFeels like a warm massage, with energy adjusted to your toleranceFace, Neck and ChestTreats the three areas where laxity and crepey skin show firstPairs With EmfaceSkin firmness and muscle tone can be planned as one course

Exion Face vs. Alternatives

Skin firmness, surface texture and muscle tone are three different problems. Exion Face is the needle-free option aimed at the skin itself.

TreatmentMechanismTimeResultsDurationDowntimeBest For
Exion FaceMonopolar RF plus targeted ultrasound30-45 min2-4 weeksAbout 12 monthsNoneMild to moderate laxity without needles
Exion RF MicroneedlingNeedle-delivered RF with exosomes45-60 min1-2 weeks12-18 months1-3 daysTexture, pores and scarring
EmfaceRF plus HIFES muscle stimulation20 min4-6 weeksAbout 12 monthsNoneLifting and toning the muscle layer
Ultherapy (HIFU)Focused ultrasound at depth60-90 min2-3 months12-18 monthsNone to 1 dayDeeper lift with more discomfort
Surgical FaceliftSurgical tissue repositioning3-4 hoursWeeks10+ years2-4 weeksSignificant laxity beyond non-surgical range

Is This Right for You

Who Is a Good Candidate for Exion Face?

Finding Your Best Skin Firming Option

Exion Face suits adults in the early to moderate stages of skin laxity who want firmer, better hydrated skin without needles, filler or recovery time. It works on the skin itself, not on the muscle beneath it, and establishing which layer is the problem is the first job of the consultation.

Ideal Candidates for Exion Face

  • Adults noticing mild to moderate loosening of the skin on the cheeks, jawline or neck
  • Patients with early jawline softening who are not ready for, or do not want, surgery
  • Skin that looks thinner, drier or less plump than it used to
  • Anyone who wants to avoid needles, injectables and downtime entirely
  • Patients of any skin tone, since nothing breaks the surface and the energy is delivered at depth
  • People willing to complete four sessions and let results build over three months

Who Should Wait or Avoid Exion Face

  • Patients with a pacemaker, implanted defibrillator or other implanted electronic device
  • Anyone with metal implants in the treatment area, including certain facial plates and screws
  • Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Anyone with an active skin infection, open wound, cold sore outbreak or malignancy in the area
  • Patients with advanced laxity, where a surgical consultation is the honest recommendation

If texture, pores or scarring are the main concern, Exion RF microneedling is the better tool, and if the face has lost lift rather than firmness, Emface for muscle tone addresses that layer. Routine dental restorations are not a barrier, but tell us about all facial hardware at the consultation. Patient information on non-surgical skin tightening is published by the American Academy of Dermatology.

Your Experience

What Happens During Exion Face Treatment

Step-by-Step Process

  1. Assessment

    Dr. Stock examines the face and neck, maps where the skin has loosened and photographs a baseline.

  2. Preparation

    The skin is cleansed and a thin layer of conductive gel is applied. No numbing cream is needed.

  3. Treatment

    Dr. Stock moves the Exion Face applicator across each zone while the console holds the dermis at its target temperature.

  4. Finishing

    The gel is removed, sunscreen is applied and you leave for work or the rest of your day with no restrictions.

  5. Course

    Four sessions spaced one to two weeks apart, with a review and photographs at three months.

Risks and Side Effects

What to Know

Common Exion Face Side Effects

Warmth during treatment is expected and stops when the applicator lifts. Mild redness or a flushed look where the applicator sat is common and fades within a few hours. Slight swelling or tenderness the same evening is uncommon and settles by the next day.

Rare Complications

As with any heat-based device, excessive heating can rarely cause a superficial burn or blister, which is why skin temperature is monitored continuously and energy is adjusted to your tolerance. Temporary altered sensation in the treated area resolves on its own. A systematic review of radiofrequency skin tightening devices found complications uncommon with correct use. Because nothing penetrates the skin, the bruising, infection and vascular risks of injectables do not apply.

Safety and FDA Status

The BTL Exion platform received FDA 510(k) clearance in 2022. It is FDA-cleared, not FDA-approved, the correct status for energy-based aesthetic devices of this class. Tell us about pacemakers, implanted defibrillators, metal in the treatment area, pregnancy and active skin conditions. Guidance on energy-based skin treatments is published by the American Academy of Dermatology.

Investment

Exion Face Cost in Brookline

Pricing and Payment Options

How Much Does Exion Face Cost in Brookline?

Exion Face pricing at Smile Brookline depends on the areas treated, whether the neck and decolletage are included alongside the face, and the number of sessions your skin needs, since a standard course is four. Your exact price is confirmed at your complimentary aesthetic consultation, before anything is booked, so there is no surprise at the desk. For reference, Exion RF microneedling with exosome serum is $1,500 and Emface is priced by treatment area on its own page.

Consultation and Flexible Payment Options

Aesthetic consultations at Smile Brookline are complimentary, and we will say plainly if your concern would respond better to a different applicator or to Emface. Cosmetic treatment is not covered by dental or medical insurance.

  • Cherry - monthly payment plans, apply at pay.withcherry.com/smilebrookline
  • Major credit cards - accepted for all aesthetic treatments
  • Combined planning - Exion Face, Exion Clear and Emface courses can be scheduled and costed together

The Smile Brookline Difference

Why Choose Smile Brookline for Exion Face in Brookline, MA

Beacon Street Since 1992

Dr. Sara Stock, DDS assesses facial muscles and bone structure every clinical day, which is exactly the assessment needed to tell whether a softening face is a skin problem, a muscle problem or both. Exion Face is recommended when the skin is the layer that has changed, and the complimentary consultation establishes that before anything is booked.

Book Your Visit

  • Facial Anatomy Daily

    Skin, muscle and bone assessed by a clinician who works with all three

  • Three Exion Applicators

    Face, RF microneedling and Clear available in the same practice

  • Free Consultation

    Aesthetic consultations at Smile Brookline are complimentary

  • Dental Practice Setting

    Treated by clinicians you already see, in a clinical practice

Exion RF microneedling treatment in Brookline MA for skin texture at Smile Brookline Beacon Street

Explore More

RF Microneedling

Exion radiofrequency microneedling with exosome therapy for smoother, refined skin.

  1. Builds Real Collagen
  2. Short Recovery
  3. Safe for All Skin Tones
Learn More

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Exion Clear

Fractional RF resurfacing for tone, texture and crepey skin, with no needles.

  1. No Needles
  2. Short Recovery
  3. Treats Neck and Chest
Learn More

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Emface

Tone facial muscles and rebuild collagen in 20-minute sessions without needles.

  1. No Needles
  2. Zero Downtime
  3. Muscle and Skin Together
Learn More

Explore More

Emface

Tone facial muscles and rebuild collagen in 20-minute sessions without needles.

  1. No Needles
  2. Zero Downtime
  3. Muscle and Skin Together
Learn More

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Exion Face

How much does Exion Face cost in Brookline, MA?
Exion Face pricing is confirmed at your complimentary aesthetic consultation at Smile Brookline. The total depends on whether the neck and decolletage are treated alongside the face and how many sessions your skin needs, since a standard course is four. Cherry monthly payment plans and major credit cards are accepted, and cosmetic treatment is not covered by insurance.
How long do Exion Face results last?
Around twelve months for most patients, with one or two maintenance sessions a year keeping the result steady. Collagen and hyaluronic acid continue developing for about three months after your final session, so the skin at four weeks is not the finished result. Ageing continues regardless, which is why maintenance matters.
Does Exion Face hurt?
No. Patients describe a deep, comfortable warmth, similar to a hot stone massage, as the applicator moves across the skin. Nothing penetrates the surface and no numbing cream is used. Energy is adjusted to your tolerance throughout the session, and most people find the neck slightly more sensitive than the cheeks.
When will I see results from Exion Face?
Most patients notice fresher, better hydrated skin within days of a session and firmer skin at two to four weeks. The full effect appears around three months after the fourth session, once new collagen and hyaluronic acid have matured. We photograph at baseline so the comparison is objective rather than a memory.
How many Exion Face sessions do I need?
A standard course is four sessions of 30 to 45 minutes, spaced one to two weeks apart. This matches the protocol used in the published histology work on the device. Most patients then maintain with one or two sessions a year. Spreading the course out over months weakens the effect, so we book all four before starting.
What is the difference between Exion Face and Exion RF microneedling?
Exion Face is needle-free and treats skin laxity and firmness through the surface, with no downtime. Exion RF microneedling uses fine insulated needles to deliver energy at depth for texture, pores and scarring, with one to three days of redness. They are different applicators on the same BTL platform, and some patients do a course of each.
What is the difference between Exion Face and Emface?
They treat different layers. Exion Face firms and hydrates the skin itself by stimulating collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. Emface contracts and tones the facial muscles beneath the skin while also heating the dermis, which produces lift. Patients whose face has both loosened skin and lost tone often do both, planned in sequence.
Can men have Exion Face?
Yes. Loosening skin along the jawline and neck is as common in men as in women, and treatment is identical. Men often prefer Exion Face because it involves no injectables and produces a firmer, more defined look rather than a smoothed or filled one. Beard growth is unaffected.
Is Exion Face safe for darker skin tones?
Yes. Radiofrequency and ultrasound energy is not absorbed by pigment, so Exion Face carries a lower risk of pigmentation change than surface-based lasers and light treatments. Nothing breaks the skin. We still use conservative settings on the first session and ask every patient to wear sunscreen daily during the course.
Can Exion Face treat my neck and chest as well?
Yes. The face, neck and decolletage are all treatable, and crepey skin on the neck and upper chest is one of the most common reasons patients book. We do not offer a body applicator at Smile Brookline, so treatment is limited to those three areas.
Is Exion Face FDA-approved?
Exion is FDA-cleared, not FDA-approved. The BTL Exion platform received 510(k) clearance in 2022, which is the standard regulatory route for energy-based aesthetic devices and confirms the device is substantially equivalent to devices already on the market. Clearance is the correct term, and we use it deliberately.
Can Exion Face be combined with Botox or Exion Clear?
Yes, and combinations are common. Botox softens expression lines on the upper face while Exion Face firms the skin, and Exion Clear can follow a firming course to refine surface texture and tone. We plan the order and spacing at the consultation so each treatment gets its full effect.

Location

1425 Beacon StreetBrookline, MA, 02446

Email

info@smilebrookline.com

Phone

(617) 731-3364

Get Started

Book Your Free Consultation

References

  1. Goldberg DJ, J Cosmet Dermatol. (2025). A Novel Technology to Boost Natural Production of Hyaluronic Acid in the Skin Tissue: Human Histology Study. PMID: 40243133.
  2. Bernardy J et al., J Ultrasound. (2025). Radiofrequency and targeted ultrasound enhance natural hyaluronic production: a pilot porcine study. PMID: 40983783.
  3. Rohrich RJ et al., Plast Reconstr Surg. (2022). Minimally Invasive Approach to Skin Tightening of the Face and Body: Systematic Review of Monopolar and Bipolar Radiofrequency Devices. PMID: 35877937.
  4. Suh DH et al., J Cosmet Dermatol. (2020). Monopolar radiofrequency treatment for facial laxity: Histometric analysis. PMID: 32319176.
  5. Austin GK et al., Lasers Surg Med. (2022). Evaluating the effectiveness and safety of radiofrequency for face and neck rejuvenation: A systematic review. PMID: 34923652.
  6. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2022). 510(k) clearance K211639 for the BTL-785W (Exion) radiofrequency device, BTL Industries, Inc.