CoolSculpting vs. Emsculpt

CoolSculpting and Emsculpt are two non-invasive body contouring treatments that target hard-to-lose fat and hard-to-tone muscles, respectively. To lose fat and tone muscles, many turn to diet and exercise. We are commonly told these are our only options. With this basic formula of “diet + exercise = ideal physique”, some have found exceptional results but at the expense of free time, patience, and immediate satisfaction. Others have given this formula multiple attempts and have yet to see their desired progress. Because of either age or genetics, our bodies might not lose fat and gain muscle as easily as others. However, with CoolSculpting and Emsculpt, patients of all ages and body types see remarkable results.

But what are the differences between these non-surgical body contouring devices? Which one is best for you? The experts at Plastic Surgery Specialist offer both services to our Marin County clientele and construct comprehensive treatment plans for all of our patients. If you would like to learn more and wish to see slimmer, tighter contours, schedule a consultation with us today. To reach us directly, call (415) 384-9787.

Hard-to-Lose Fat

Whether with age or lifestyle choice, troublesome fat can appear in many hard-to-reach areas. These places include:

These areas contain subcutaneous fat. As the name implies, subcutaneous fat rests between the skin and the muscle, acting as an insulating blanket. When we improve our diets and activity levels, our body forgoes this type of fat and burns visceral fat instead. That’s why, after weight loss, many people still see lingering fat in the previously mentioned areas. But why is this? Subcutaneous fat serves a purpose in its fatty form. This thin blanket of fat protects organs from external pressures and regulates thermal loss in the body.[1] So, the body is reluctant to shed this type of fat.

The CoolSculpting Advantage

Workout classes and programs use certain exercises to reduce fatty areas. They often call it “spot fat reduction.” These regimens include abdominal exercises to burn abdominal fat and promote a slimmer tummy. People believe that the more they work out an area, the more fat that area loses. But that’s not the case. Fat can’t be spot-reduced. Studies have shown that abdominal workout regimens only strengthen muscle fibers and don’t affect fatty tissue.[2]

This is the dilemma the makers of CoolSculpting set out to solve. The CoolSculpting device secures to the skin and lowers the underlying fatty tissue to freezing temperatures. Fat cells are unique in that they are the only ones affected by CoolSculpting – surrounding areas are left unaffected during a CoolSculpting session.[3] Once the fat cells drop down and are held at freezing temperatures, they detach from their connective moorings. Over the next couple of days, these cells are processed out of the body through the lymphatic system. What’s left behind is a slimmer, more defined contour.

Hard-to-Tone Muscles

For men and women, muscularity matters in their physique. But building muscle is a delicate balance of progressively overloading the muscles and supplying them with the right nutrition for growth. This balance can be difficult to achieve in our youth and even harder as we get older. With age, our body’s systems slow down. A major player in the loss of muscle mass is our endocrine system. When we’re older, this system no longer supplies our muscles with the same level of necessary hormones for muscle maintenance. So, our body slowly loses skeletal muscle mass. To keep our muscles engaged enough to combat these growing signs of aging can feel almost impossible. That is, until you’ve met Emsculpt.

The Ease of Emsculpt

Emsculpt is a wearable device that sends high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) energy directly into the muscle fibers. The electricity in this energy interacts with the nerves in the fibers and causes them to contract repeatedly. In one 30-minute session, the targeted muscles contract 20,000 times. Just to put that into perspective: one contraction is equivalent to one repetition of an exercise. So, if worn on the abdomen, one Emsculpt session achieves the same results as 20,000 sit-ups. When these muscles are pushed well past the point of fatigue, the body sends restorative properties to the fibers, building them stronger. This leads to muscle growth and definition. Studies have shown that HIFEM technology leads to a 15% increase in muscle fiber thickness.[4]

Which One Is For Me?

If you are interested in trying one or both of these advanced non-surgical body contouring procedures, please schedule a personal consultation by filling out this contact form. Typically, there’s an overlap between CoolSculpting and Emsculpt patients. Those who choose only CoolSculpting are happy with their muscle definition and wish to reduce fatty areas. As for patients who are unhappy with their muscle definition and aren’t worried about trouble fatty areas, they are perfect for Emsculpt alone. It is important to note that these treatments are not weight-loss procedures. These devices are only FDA-approved for patients with a healthy BMI.

Personal Consultation

If this is your first time with us, we will start with a new patient intake interview and a physical examination. During this step in your journey, we want to learn about your current diet and lifestyle habits and your desired physical results. Based on these results, we will recommend different procedures to complement CoolSculpting and Emsculpt. At the end of your appointment, we will configure a personalized treatment plan to address each one of your cosmetic concerns. Based on this plan, we will give you a comprehensive list of preparatory steps to ensure a smooth procedure and a seamless recovery.

The CoolSculpting Process

To begin a CoolSculpting session, we will have you comfortably lie down in a private treatment room. The CoolSculpting device suctions to the target fatty area. At first, you may feel a little twinge from the freezing temperatures, but that sensation subsides shortly. Over the next 30 minutes, you can relax and scroll your phone, flip through a magazine, or catch up on work emails as the cryo-energy effectively damages fat cells. During your session, we may also treat other stubborn areas at the same time.

Recovery

After your session, you are free to resume your daily activities. The area will still be numb but this will go away in the next few hours. Over the following days, the fat cells are stripped away from the area and processed naturally out of the body. To maintain these results, it is best to continue living a healthy life and following a balanced diet.

The Emsculpt Process

Much like with CoolSculpting, an Emsculpt session occurs with you lying comfortably in a private treatment room. We attach the Emsculpt device to either your abdomen or buttocks. If you are choosing to target your abs, we recommend that patients come on an empty stomach. Over the next 30 minutes, the Emsculpt device’s energy permeates the skin and contracts the muscle fibers. 20,000 contractions later, and you are free to walk out of our care under your own power.

Recovery

After an Emsculpt session, the target area might feel similarly sore after an intense workout. We recommend resting the area, drinking plenty of water, and eating nutritious food to give the muscle the necessary resources for growth. Over the next few weeks, you will see more definition in your abdominals and more lift in your butt. Continue exercising and eating well to maintain results.

The Deciding Difference

Losing fat and building muscle are at the top of everyone’s fitness goals. We routinely commit ourselves to a new, trendy diet or exercise program but never quite see the intended results. But, with our expert resources and advanced technology, we have helped hundreds of patients finally look and feel their best. So, which non-invasive body contouring device is best for you? Both! Because they are both non-invasive and don’t require any downtime, they can effortlessly slip into any busy schedule, and can be combined for even better results. So, plan your sessions at a personal consultation and let our team help along the way to a happier, healthier you.

How Much Does CoolSculpting & Emsculpt Cost in Marin County?

CoolSculpting and Emsculpt come with their own unique prices. We base our pricing on the patient’s personalized treatment plan, so costs will vary. If you enjoyed this blog, be sure to check out our others. If you have any questions, please call our offices directly at (415) 384-9787.

References

1. Kwok, K., Lam, K. & Xu, A. Heterogeneity of white adipose tissue: molecular basis and clinical implications. Exp Mol Med 48, e215 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/emm.2016.5
2. Vispute, Sachin S, et al. “The Effect of Abdominal Exercise on Abdominal Fat.” Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, vol. 25, no. 9, Sept. 2011, pp. 2559–2564, journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/fulltext/2011/09000/the_effect_of_abdominal_exercise_on_abdominal_fat.27.aspx, 10.1519/jsc.0b013e3181fb4a46
3. McKeown, D. J., & Payne, J. (2021). Significant improvement in body contour with multiple cycles of CoolSculpting: Results of a prospective study. Dermatologic Therapy, 34(2). https://doi.org/10.1111/dth.14850
4. Kinney, B. M., & Lozanova, P. (2019). High intensity focused electromagnetic therapy evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging: Safety and efficacy study of a dual tissue effect based non-invasive abdominal body shaping. Lasers in surgery and medicine, 51(1), 40–46. https://doi.org/10.1002/lsm.23024