We all want to look and feel our best, and we try to do the work to get there on our own. But sometimes we need a little extra boost to get us flying through that last way to our goals!
Looking into cosmetic procedures to help achieve our body goals has become largely more popular (and far less taboo), especially when there have been such advancements and innovations in non-invasive and non-surgical treatments.
This brings us to two cosmetic procedures that have dominated the elective beauty treatment space: Emsculpt and Coolsculpting. Both treatments are non-surgical, non-invasive, and take about 30-35 minutes per session. But how do you decide which, if any, is the right one for you?
So, what are Emsculpt and Coolsculpting? Both treatments are similar, deliver long-lasting results that have a lasting effect, and aid in getting you to your overall body goals. While used in similar parts of the body, they do target different parts of the treated area and have separate methods to achieve their unique results.
Both are ideal for targeting specific and similar areas of the body where fat just does not seem to budge (no matter how much you try to get rid of it) and results are seen quickly after treatments are completed.
We are going to deep dive into each of these procedures to help understand the similarities and differences, as well as which one might be the best procedure for you if you want to venture into the wide world of cosmetic treatments!
What Is Emsculpt?
Emsculpt is a non-invasive cosmetic procedure meant to stimulate and tighten core muscles. It uses strong, high-intensity, focused electromagnetic energy to engage the muscles of the treated area to tone, strengthen, and firm them to sculpt the body toward the desired results.
The Emsculpt machine is lauded for being able to achieve the results of about 20,000 crunches within the first treatment, engaging the muscles in a way that simply could not be achieved during a regular exercise routine.
Emsculpt also claims to implode fat cells by about 19% and build muscle fibers by 16%, resulting in areas of the body that are firmer, tighter, and more toned overall. However, it is not to be used in place of a generally healthy lifestyle consisting of a balanced diet and frequent exercise.
Emsculpt can help to achieve your desired goals, but the results ultimately work the best and are sustained through your own daily, healthy activity.
Where Can Emsculpt Be Used?
Most commonly, Emsculpt treatments are used for abdominal toning and sculpting, as well as lifting and firming the buttocks.
Emsculpt is also able to be used on the calves and thighs, for additional strengthening and firming, and can be done on the arms as well to increase overall muscle tone and strength.
Benefits Of Emsculpt
As opposed to other, more invasive cosmetic procedures, there is no downtime for recovery with Emsculpt! This is an FDA-cleared treatment that can be used for all genders, whoever desires additional body sculpting.
One treatment, which is a 30-minute session, is the equivalent of 20,000 crunches or squats. The lasting effects from a round of Emsculpt should remain anywhere between six months to one year later!
Side Effects Of Emsculpt
As of now, studies have not shown any lasting, severe cases of side effects from Emsculpt procedures. However, depending on the individual, one might experience some muscle discomfort, soreness, or spasms following the treatment.
Emsculpt is not to be performed on anyone who is pregnant. Emsculpt is also not to be performed on anyone who has a severe medical condition or anyone who has any metal inside their body, such as defibrillators, pacemakers, metallic IUDs, etc.
Emsculpt Procedure
The whole Emsculpt procedure consists of four 30-minute sessions. During the sessions, the Emsculpt machine will be attached to the treated area and the high-intensity electromagnetic energy will begin to contract the muscles.
The process of the muscles being contracted at such an intense rate is referred to as super maximal contractions. The intensity level with which the muscles are being contracted is set to the individual’s own tolerance, so while there will likely be some mild discomfort, it should not be too painful of an experience.
The four sessions in total are completed within a two-week period and are recommended to be done with 2-3 days in between sessions. Results will start to be seen within two weeks of the treatment, and will steadily develop over time. The final, most optimal results are seen around the three-month mark.
Maintenance sessions are recommended based on the individual between 6-12 months. Muscles can start to loosen or sag and, based on the individual and their lifestyle; this will dictate how long the results will last and what maintenance appointments will be required.
An active lifestyle can help to maintain the results independently so that another treatment is not required, or you might need to revisit to achieve that additional definition if you desire.
Cost Of Emsculpt
Emsculpt treatments can vary in cost depending on where you’re located, your doctor, and which part of the body you are having the treatment done to.
Generally, the costs are between $750 to $1,000 dollars per session. The recommended amount of sessions for the treatment is four, resulting in the overall cost being somewhere around $3,000 to $4,000.
As with many other cosmetic procedures, there might be the option to pay for the sessions individually as you schedule them or a package purchase that would pay for all the sessions at once.
If you are interested in Emsculpt, check with the doctor who will perform the procedure to see what payment plans are available to you.
Emsculpt Recovery Time
One of the biggest benefits of Emsculpt is the lack of downtime to recover. Because Emsculpt is a non-invasive procedure, you will not have to spend an indeterminable amount of time recovering before getting back into your normal routine.
Some slight muscle soreness might be apparent after the treatment, but generally, you are able to be back to functioning as normal after your procedure.
Similar to the recovery after an intense workout, hydrating and drinking plenty of water post-Emsculpt procedure should aid in alleviating some of the muscle soreness.
Who Is A Good Candidate For Emsculpt?
While Emsculpt does reduce fat cells in the targeted area, it is not a weight loss procedure. The loss of fat cells in the specific area is more so from the reaction of the cells to the intense muscle contractions being experienced.
This is not a treatment that is recommended for everyone. Emsculpt is a treatment that allows you to get to that final step of your body goals and is recommended for those who are generally fit or active already, with less generalized body fat, in order to have the treatment work effectively and see optimal results.
What Is Coolsculpting?
Coolsculpting (also known as “cryolipolysis”) is a procedure to target fat cells and eliminate them by freezing them to a temperature that renders them broken.
Fat cells are more affected by cold temperatures, so by subjecting them to freezing temperatures, they are unable to withstand and will begin to break down and be absorbed by the body.
Coolsculpting is not a weight loss treatment, as it targets a specific area to eliminate the fat cells there.
It can be used on several different areas of the body, but most commonly it is used on the abdomen, flanks, underneath the buttocks, thighs, and arms. It can also be used in more targeted areas such as under the chin or the jaw.
Benefits Of Coolsculpting
Like Emsculpt, Coolsculpting is non-surgical, non-invasive, and FDA-approved. Coolsculpting targets unwanted fat cells to eliminate them. Because the fat cells are eliminated through the procedure, they are not able to return to the treated area, creating lasting effects.
This treatment also requires no downtime for recovery.
Side Effects Of Coolsculpting
There are some side effects possible from Coolsculpting. The most common side effects seen post-treatment are redness, swelling, itchiness, and tingling. There is also the chance for tenderness or achiness to occur, along with bruising of the treated area.
In some more severe cases, there is a chance for the opposite of the treatment to occur. In less than 1% of people who have undergone Coolsculpting, a condition called “paradoxical hyperplasia” has occurred, which is an increase of fat cells that causes an enlargement in the treated area.
In those that it has affected, the effects are seen several months after the treatment has taken place.
Coolsculpting Procedure
The Coolsculpting procedure is completed with an instrument that works like a vacuum to suction the targeted area. This area is exposed to cold temperatures, but because only fat cells are affected by the freezing temperatures, the remaining cells are left unchanged.
During the treatment, the freezing temperatures cause the targeted area to feel numb, resulting in a procedure that can be mildly uncomfortable, but should not be painful.
Typically the treatment sessions are about 30 minutes; however, some sessions can be up to one hour. Depending on the targeted area, more than one treatment session may be required.
If you are having Coolsculpting done to a larger area, it may take more than one session to see results, but smaller areas, such as under the chin, may be completed with one session.
The results of Coolsculpting can start to be seen within four weeks post-treatment(s). The optimal results will be seen in about 1-4 months, as that is when the body fully processes the broken-down fat cells. As the fat cells are killed off through the targeted cold temperatures, they will not return to the treated area.
Cost Of Coolsculpting
Costs can vary for Coolsculpting treatments depending on the provider, targeted area, and how many sessions are needed. The national general average for Coolsculpting is about $1,500 per treatment session.
Coolsculpting Recovery Time
As previously stated, there is no downtime needed for recovery — generally, you can be back to your normal routine post-treatment.
Who Is A Good Candidate For Coolsculpting?
Much like Emsculpt, Coolsculpting is not a treatment that works for everyone. It is not meant for those looking for a weight loss treatment, but rather those wanting to get rid of specific, targeted areas.
Coolsculpting is ideal for those who are already close to their fitness goals and maintain an active lifestyle.
In order for the procedure to be completed, however, there has to be at least a pinch-sized amount of generalized body fat for the instrument to be adhered to in order to target the fat cells.
If you have severe medical conditions, Coolsculpting may not be a treatment you can undergo.
Overall Similarities And Differences
Emsculpt and Coolsculpting have their share of similarities, but overall, these are two different treatments meant to have two different outcomes.
Emsculpt is a procedure that provides muscle tone and definition to a specific and targeted area, engaging and strengthening the existing muscles in the process. Coolsculpting is meant to eliminate stubborn areas of concern by eliminating the fat cells in order to slim down the targeted area.
Both are not meant to be cure-all weight loss treatments, but rather to provide the needed help to assist in achieving your desired look. Both treatments are non-surgical and non-invasive methods that are quite effective, with little discomfort and no downtime for recovery.
With an active, healthy, and balanced lifestyle, results from both can be maintained, although the results for Coolsculpting generally last slightly longer than the results of Emsculpt. As with any cosmetic treatment, side effects exist for both, although no lasting severe side effects have been reported for Emsculpt.
Can You Do Both?
Since Emsculpt and Coolsculpting achieve two different outcomes, both procedures can be done within the same time frame. With a focus on either muscle toning or the elimination of fat cells, each procedure creates a different result to further assist in guiding you to your desired outcome.
Coolsculpting can work first to reduce the unwanted fat cells in a particular area. By eliminating the excess fat cells and reducing the chance of them coming back to the treated area, the muscles can then be more easily targeted.
Emsculpt will then be allowed to tighten, tone, and strengthen the muscles in the given area for a more defined and sculpted look.
By focusing on two different aspects of those stubborn areas, you can ultimately see the nuanced and individualized results toward your own specific body goals.
Each of these treatments has lasting effects, and it is always recommended that you talk to your doctor(s) performing the treatments to see if you can undergo both procedures within the same timeframe.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, deciding to undergo a cosmetic treatment is based on each individual’s ideas and goals for their own appearance. Emsculpt and Coolsculpting are two methods that have grown in popularity over recent years, and both work best with a lifestyle that can support the results.
While both treatments are not for everyone, if you decide to pursue one of these treatments, make sure to do your research on who will be providing the treatment, and talk to your doctor to make sure you are a good candidate for the procedure.
Both procedures are not meant to give a total body makeover, but to target specific areas that need some extra help to either get rid of stubborn body fat or engage certain muscles to get that last bit of definition. These treatments are not going to result in significant weight loss and are not the procedure for everyone.
With all the advancements in cosmetics treatments on the market, both Emsculpt and Coolsculpting provide specific results to individuals and are steadily growing in popularity.
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