However hard we try, a healthy diet and exercise may not be enough to achieve that dream body we desire. With modern non-invasive body sculpting techniques such as Emsculpt and Coolsculpt, however, this dream might just drop into our reach. But which method is better? Read on to find out!
How does the two top body sculpting treatments in Boston work?
In order to choose, you must first know about how each technique works.
Emsculpt uses High intensity focused electromagnetic technology (HIFEM), which releases high-energy waves. These induce continuous, rapid muscle contractions at a rate and intensity that you just cannot achieve even with a manual high-intensity workout. A single, 30-minute Emsculpt session can cause 20,000 muscle contractions.
Coolsculpt, on the other hand, targets your fat cells, not your muscles. It uses cryolipolysis, a technology that subjects your body to extremely cold temperatures, which causes your fat cells to crystallize and die. The dead fat cells are naturally removed by the body’s immune system.
How do you choose between the two? Consider the following six tips:
1. Look at what your key problem is
Are you looking to reduce stubborn pouches of fat? Or do you merely have loose muscle tissue which needs to be toned up? If your key concern has always been layers of fat, then you should be looking at cool sculpt. On the other hand, if you have loose muscle tissue that just won’t tone up (we hear you, mom of two kids!) – then Emsculpt is probably your answer. Keep in mind that Emsculpt offers the best results when your muscles have only the bare minimum of fat covering them – if you have more fat than that, you may want to try cool sculpting for fat reduction before an Emsculpt session.
2. What parts of your body are you looking to address?
Emsculpt largely focuses on the core muscles of your body. So if your problem areas are your abdominal muscles and buttocks, and your main aim is to get a ‘butt lift’ or ‘tummy tightening’ procedure, then, Emsculpt is the right treatment for you.
CoolSculpt, on the other hand, can remove stubborn fat from just about any area of the body. While it works on the abdomen and buttock, you can also address bra bulges, flabby arms, and even a double chin using this technique.
3. What is your ultimate treatment goal?
This is something you need to carefully think about. Are you thinking ‘lose weight’ ‘become slimmer’, or ‘go a few sizes smaller? Then you should consider Coolsculpt because your main problem is most likely fat. However, if you are reasonably happy with your current size, and you are more focused on getting ‘svelte’ and ‘toned’, or ‘flat abs’, then you should consider Emsculpt. Keep in mind that, like a high-intensity workout, Emsculpt can increase muscle mass – so if your goal is to bring your size down, this may not be the answer.
4. How comfortable are you with using newer technology?
Both the Emsculpt and Coolsculpt technologies are FDA approved and are reasonably safe. That said, Emsculpt is a newer technology, unlike Coolsculpt, which has been around since 2010 – so long-term treatment results are lacking. You should also know that Emsculpt is not safe if you have metallic implants, or a pacemaker – these will interfere with the electromagnetic waves, which could be dangerous.
If you have known sensitivity to cold, such as Raynaud’s disease, cryoglobulinemia or neuropathic disorders, you must avoid Coolsculpting. Both procedures should be avoided in any area of the body where you have open wounds, scarring or hernia.
5. Are you comfortable with the side effects?
Both techniques are non-invasive and do not require needles or anesthesia. The cold temperatures used doing CoolSculpt may make your skin numb, which can be slightly uncomfortable, but is not intolerable. With Emsculpt, you won’t feel much during the session itself, but you may have some muscle soreness a few hours after the procedure – similar to after a workout session.
6. Figure out your treatment budget
While prices vary with each medical center, Emsculpt may be slightly more expensive as it is a newer technology. Coolsculpt sessions on an average cost around $750 each; for sculpt, the cost may be around $1000 per session. You will need at least 2 to 6 sessions of Coolsculpt to achieve defined results, which are easy to maintain. While you need about 4 sessions of Emsculpt to achieve good results, you may need to repeat these sessions at frequent intervals, or you stand the risk of losing that great muscle tone.
The bottom line: Discuss your needs with a cosmetic physician
At the end of the day, the decision for the best method of body sculpting probably needs to be made after a thorough discussion with a reputed esthetic physician.
At Evolution MedSpa, we encourage you to discuss your concerns and treatment goals with our esthetic medicine specialists, prior to deciding on a treatment procedure. We have two Harvard-trained, board-certified cosmetic physicians – Dr. Eric Cappiello and Dr. Mary Cappiello. Between them, they have several years of experience in delivering impeccable cosmetic results. To schedule a consultation, simply fill out this form online, or call our office at 617-915-2055.
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