Even with a good diet and exercise routine, there can still be areas that don’t respond well, resulting in pockets of stubborn fat. Emsculpt and Coolsculpting are two great technologies that effectively treat and reduce these stubborn pockets of fat. However, depending on your goals and current physique, you may respond better to one than the other. We always recommend scheduling a consultation prior to booking either procedure to ensure you are a good candidate. Below we will discuss the main differences between the Emsculpt and Coolsculpting treatments.
What is Emsculpt?
Emsculpt directs highly focused electromagnetic energy (HIFEM) to the desired area to contract muscles beyond what is possible through voluntary effort, forcing the muscle to contract to 100% and holding it there for up to 6 seconds. In 30 minutes, you will experience about 24,000 muscle contractions in the targeted area (i.e. Abdomen, Glutes, Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Biceps, Triceps, or Calves). It is the ONLY treatment that builds muscle while also reducing fat at the same time. On average, up to 19% of fat in the treatment area is removed while also increasing muscle mass by 16%.
What is Coolsculpting/Cryolipolysis?
Cryolipolysis, also known as “fat freezing”, is a safe, nonsurgical fat reduction procedure that uses cold temperature to contour and reduce fat deposits in certain areas of the body. The procedure is designed to reduce localized fat deposits or bulges that do not respond to diet and exercise focusing on reducing the subcutaneous fat by 25% after one treatment. The process targets fat without damaging or freezing surrounding tissue, and can especially benefit those who struggle with stubborn fat in the abdomen, flanks, upper back, thighs and neck areas.
Fat cells compromised by Cryolipolysis become a waste product and then are processed by the lymphatic system and eliminated from the body permanently. These fat cells will not be regenerated by the body. The elimination of dead fat cells is a gradual process which will occur naturally and safely in the several weeks following your Cryolipolysis treatment.
Coolsculpting vs Emsculpt Time Commitment:
Each coolsculpting treatment cycle is 30-60 minutes depending on the size of the hand piece used and the size of the targeted area. Newer hand pieces are now providing shorter down time to treatments of 30 minutes. Most Coolsculpting providers will recommend between 2-6 treatments spaced one month apart for best results. At NOVA MedSculpt, we end each Coolsculpting treatment with a 10-minute Radio Frequency and Ultrasonic Fat Cavitation treatment that further breaks down the crystalized fat cells and tightens the skin to ensure the best results.
Emsculpt treatments take approximately 30 minutes and require a minimum of 4 sessions performed 2-3 days apart. Both procedures are non-invasive and require zero downtime.
Coolsculpting vs Emsculpt Comfort:
EmSculpt is said to be painless and there is no downtime. After treatment, some patients may feel muscle soreness the next day just like you would after a good workout.
Coolsculpting works by killing fat cells with cold temperatures, using a curved suction-based hand piece. Some patients experience numbing during and sometimes after the procedure due to cold temperatures the treatment may feel uncomfortable but not unbearable.
Coolsculpting Vs Emsculpt Results:
Results from these 2 treatments are pretty different. For those looking to improve muscle tone (and who are already fairly lean), Emsculpt is the clear winner. For those looking to remove “pinch-able” rolls of fat, Coolsculpting is the winner. Emsculpt is the only procedure that can target both visceral and subcutaneous fat.
It is important to note that each of us has a constant number of fat cells which remains the same throughout our lives. (Fat cell death or removal, of course, are the exceptions to this rule.) When we gain or lose weight, our fat cells expand or shrink; we do not gain or lose fat cells as one might assume. Both the #Coolsculpting and #Emsculpt procedures involve the permanent elimination of fat cells – due to the onset of fat cell death – and decreases the overall number of fat cells that are never replaced.
However, even with the permanent elimination of fat cells, it is still possible for patients to gain weight. This is because the remaining fat cells in the body can still expand. It remains vital, not only for your overall health but also for the continued effectiveness of the procedure, that you maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine.