Face Master Pros & Cons

After a certain age, virtually everyone wants to look younger. Plastic surgery, such as a face lift or eye lift, may not be a viable option for some because of the cost, recovery time and medical risk. The Suzanne Somers FaceMaster Facial Toning System is a muscle stimulating device that claims to make users look younger without facial surgery. It claims to treat facial wrinkles and to lift, plump and firm facial muscles.

How FaceMaster Works

A buyer uses two electrostimulation wands, dampened with a conductive solution, to manipulate the face. For some treatments, around the eyes, for example, the user holds one wand in place against the eye socket while holding the other wand in rotations around the eye. For the "brow lift" treatment, the user pinches and lifts the brow with one wand below the arch and one wand above it. A "bi-phase, symmetrical alternating current" flows through the wands. According to FaceMaster promotional materials, the treatment tones the skin and the muscles of the face.

What You Get

The FaceMaster Platinum system includes a carrying case, two electrode hand wands, conductive serum, foam caps for the hand wands, anti aging "e-serum with GlycoPeptides," "soothing conductive serum," instructional manuals, an instructional DVD and a 9-volt battery. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, glycopeptides are antimicrobial agents. The FaceMaster platinum system also includes finger wands that attach to the user's fingertips.

Pros

The FaceMaster has significant positive aspects. Some customers report that the FaceMaster System does make them look younger. Moreover, the cost of the system -- $228.95 as of the date of publication -- is lower than the cost of multiple transcutaneous stimulation treatments and is much lower than the cost of facial surgery. The Food and Drug Administration has approved the FaceMaster for marketing in the United States.

Cons

Some customers may consider use of the FaceMaster to be time consuming. A complete treatment takes 30 minutes or more, and the manufacturer recommends treatments every other day. A more serious concern is safety. If used on the neck, the FaceMaster can cause low blood pressure, potentially resulting in fainting. At least one customer has raised safety concerns about the FaceMaster with the FDA. In 2006, the FDA received a complaint from a user who reported that she used the wrong setting on the device and got a severe migraine headache, developed floaters in her eyes and ringing in her ears and suffered vitreal detachment in her eyes.