Enter non-surgical body contouring.
Along with working hard to be healthy, we are also working hard! Most people don’t have the luxury of undergoing procedures with significant downtime which is why we appreciate in-office treatments that target those trouble spots. Two of our favorite and proven treatments for contouring the body are CoolSculpting and Emsculpt. These treatments have different goals but can actually be performed in combination for striking results.
Let’s talk about fat freezing.
CoolSculpting technology has been around for 10 years, and it’s not going anywhere. In fact, CoolSculpting scientists have been perfecting their technology by creating new applicators to reach more and more areas. From large areas like the abdomen to small areas like the double chin or pesky bra fat, CoolSculpting can target just about any pocket of diet-resistant fat. (We’re still holding out for the whole-body CoolSculpting bag!) A good rule of thumb is if you can pinch an inch, you can freeze it!
CoolSculpting works by safely freezing fat to the point of cellular death (lipolysis). Over time, the body eliminates the fat through natural processes making results visible in as little as 4 weeks. No surgery. No downtime. No disruption in day-to-day activities.
Let’s talk about body sculpting.
As a new contender in the body contouring game, Emsculpt has been making headlines! By using HIFEM (High Intensity Focused Electromagnetic) technology, Emsculpt stimulates muscle contractions beyond what is achievable with exercise. A typical 30-minute Emsculpt abdomen session is equivalent to 20,000 sit-ups. But not like those sit-ups you do with muscle fatigue - these are like sit-ups with perfect form every single time (times 20,000). As you can probably imagine, doing this many crunches results in a stronger, sleeker abdomen.
In its debut, Emsculpt offered treatment paddles large enough to treat the abdomen, glutes, quads, and hamstrings. Much like CoolSculpting, Emsculpt scientists worked quickly to create options for smaller areas. Now, Emsculpt treatments can be performed on biceps, triceps, calves and inner thighs with new curved treatment applicators.
Which procedure is right for me?
Because both treatments fall in the same category of body contouring, there’s an impression that one treatment is superior to the other. This could not be more inaccurate! We view CoolSculpting and Emsculpt as complementary treatments, not competitors.
Determining which treatment is right for you really comes down to your personal goals. If you are hitting the gym every day but can’t achieve that six pack, we’d say Emsculpt is for you since this treatment improves overall muscle health and tone. If you eat healthy but can’t lose inches around your waistline, we’d say CoolSculpting is for you. If you diet and exercise and are wanting to look both fit and slender, we’d probably recommend both - CoolSculpting to freeze away the pinch-able fat and Emsculpt to tone up the muscles.
When should I be treated?
As Dr. Missy Clifton says, “It depends on what your carrot is.” Ideally, both treatments are suggested when you are within range of your ideal weight. However, we all know motivation is key! Some people prefer working hard and then getting the cherry-on-top body contouring procedure. Others prefer to get results with procedures to kick start the body transformation process. “When” is really determined by you and our body contouring specialists.
Another “when” to consider is the time of year. Imagine donning your swimsuit for the first time and feeling confidently toned! This doesn’t happen by mistake for our body contouring patients. Full results for most body contouring procedures take about 2 months. We strongly recommend working on your summer body in the winter and early spring months.
As with most treatments performed at Premier Dermatology, customization is key. No two bodies are alike. No two treatment plans are alike. If non-surgical body contouring seems like a good fit for you, schedule a complimentary consultation. During a consult, we will determine if you are a good candidate for body contouring, suggest a treatment route for you, provide you with an estimate of services, and answer all your questions! Check out results in our gallery.