Everything You Need Know About Emsculpt

Skin toning via non-invasive techniques is creating strides in the arena of plastic surgery and dermatology. With the ever-evolving fields of plastic surgery and dermatology, those seeking to lose fat and shape their bodies have a variety of treatment options available. However, FDA-approved Emsculpt, which first emerged on the scene last year in The Woodlands, is in a class of its own when it comes to non-surgical body contouring procedures. Emsculpt uses non-invasive technology to target fat and tone muscles with no downtime afterward.

So, what exactly are these high-intensity devices?

How Does Emsculpt Work?

With the cutting-edge technique of Emsculpt, you can quickly slim down and tone your body. The name Emsculpt derives from the scientific principles of the treatment, explains Dr. Akhavan.

“The first two letters—the E and the M in Emsculpt—is the technology behind it,” Dr. Akhavan stated. "It uses electromagnetic energy to get the muscles to contract in the area you're treating." Furthermore, Dr. Akhavan said that the process of this technique and natural muscles’ contraction are the same. "Emsculpt takes over that process to a much stronger extent than our bodies are able to," he says. "Using this electromagnetic energy causes the muscles to do what are called super maximal contractions."

Is Emsculpt Any Different Than Other Fat Removal Mechanisms?

Emsculpt differs radically from other fat-removing procedures available today across the world.

"In a very keyway, there's no other device out there that actually tones or builds muscles," Dr. Akhavan mentioned. "The way the Emsculpt works is by causing these muscles to contract 20,000 times in 30 minutes, and that builds muscle tissue just like exercising but to a much greater extent. It's burning the local fat stores up because these muscles need calories to feed them for this contraction."

In the opinion of Dr. Frank, this is the first machine used for removing fat by "working out the underlying muscle." He added. "FDA-cleared for the strengthening, toning, and firming of the abdomen and butt, Emsculpt delivers superior contouring results that existing non-invasive body shaping therapies cannot match."

"This is not a treatment for weight loss; it’s best for individuals who are in good shape already and serves as an ‘icing on the cake’ treatment. I believe that this type of technology will do for the body what Botox did for the face." Dr. Frank told.

Who Is The Ideal Candidate For The Procedure?

Emsculpt is not suitable for every person. So, Dr. Frank clarifies, “the ideal candidates are relatively fit patients looking for that extra definition in the abdomen, and lift in their buttocks that their own efforts can’t accomplish." According to Dr. Akhavan, people with a lot of body fat, in general, will not see significant results with Emsculpt. Rather, he advises it to individuals who are active yet have a limited stubborn body area. "We can get rid of that and actually even see definition like a six-pack," said Dr. Akhavan.

Emsculpt is renowned for people of both genders, and it is also an excellent alternative for patients who are healing from an injury. "It’s been very popular with athletes and patients recovering from sports injuries," Dr. Akhavan described. "We get a lot of referrals from physical therapy centers because it's a quick way to strengthen the muscle groups that have become weak due to an injury."

People with metallic or electrical implants, for instance, a pacemaker, or those with a past of muscular problems, such as severe hernias, are ineligible to get Emsculpt. "Treatments are safe, but the device is a medically serious one," Dr. Frank clarified. "No metal can be around the device, much like getting an MRI." To put it in another way, if you have any metal implant, then it is highly recommended you consult with a medical practitioner.

How Much Time Is Required For Emsculpt Procedure?

Whether you are targeting different body segments, like the abdomen and buttock region, two 30-minute rounds are required. For maximum results, it is advised to conduct four Emsculpt treatments spaced 2-3 days apart over a period of 14 days.

What Results Will People See After Emsculpt?

After Emsculpt, you should expect to notice a toned, leaner region with much less fat. "Studies show a 15 to 20 percent muscle growth and fat reduction in the area after treatment regimen," Dr. Frank stated. "You can begin to feel tangible results right after the treatment; however, positive results are seen two to four weeks after the last session and continue to improve for several weeks following the treatments."

Dr. Akhavan rationalizes that followed by the procedure of 14 days; your body seems like "you really worked out maximally with a trainer doing the best you possibly can”, also if you followed a healthy diet and exercise regimen for 6-12 months. Dr. Akhavan says that these outcomes have been very encouraging for patients who are normally healthy. "We've been getting a lot of 'oh I see a six-pack for the first time in my life even though I've been exercising my whole life, and people are motivated to keep it afterward." he described.

Likewise, Martino states that Emsculpt may result in a 16% increase in muscle growth and a 19% decrease in fat in the treated region. Emsculpt is now FDA-approved for use on the belly, buttocks, and thighs, as per Martino.

For How Long Will The Result Of Treatment Stay? How Often Do Patients Need More Treatment?

The duration of an Emsculpt therapy is dependent on the patient's level of activity. Emsculpt patients may retain their newly toned physique by following a regular exercise routine, but others may want to return for further treatments and maintenance.

"If you are somebody who is going to use that as motivation or actually doing lots of core strength stuff, you can maintain it for a very long time, maybe even permanently," said Dr. Akhavan. "If you're not going to be doing that, then the muscle will slowly start to diminish because you're not using it as much, the fat can slowly start to come back, and then you'll need maintenance session."

It is also noted by both Dr. Akhavan and Dr. Frank that apart from the initial two weeks, people didn’t visit much for maintenance. "Like exercise maintenance, treatments can range from once a year to once a month depending on desired results, and results are seen immediately and progressive over months." Dr. Frank spoke.

What Is The Cost For Emsculpt?

In The Woodlands, the cost varies according to the doctor and the part of the body being treated, yet every session typically costs around $750 to $1,000. Given that the typical program consists of four treatments spread over a period of 14 days, the total cost should be approximately $3000 to $4000.

What Are The Side Effects After Getting Emsculpt Treatment?

You may have some pain after therapy, and Dr. Akhavan notes that in exceptional cases, patients have reported feeling physically exhausted as if they had just completed a rigorous exercise.

Emsculpt spasms, as per Dr. Akhavan, really aid in the removal of lactic acid accumulation in the muscles. Due to the fact that lactic acid may induce muscular discomfort, the Emsculpt method helps patients avoid feeling too much pain.

There is no downtime necessary once the procedure is completed, and Dr. Frank notes that patients may promptly continue their routinely planned activities.