CoolSculpting Elite vs. EmSculpt Neo | Weight Loss Treatments
As seen in the March 2024 issue of Cincinnati Magazine.
When stubborn fat doesn’t respond to diet or exercise, you may consider turning to treatment options. Mona Dermatology’s body contouring providers break down the differences between the two top non-surgical weight loss options, CoolSculpting Elite and EmSculpt Neo. The good news: both treatments can deliver results by summer, without downtime. While no treatment is able to guarantee weight loss, both options are able to target fat loss and sculpt the body to help you reach your goals.
How do both treatments work?
Emsculpt Neo stimulates muscle contractions using high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) technology, and reduces fat using radiofrequency heat. Thanks to the radiofrequency, some skin tightening may also occur. CoolSculpting Elite uses cooling technology to cause apoptosis, killing unwanted fat cells in the treatment area. When a trained provider performs your treatment, both are FDA-approved and very safe when performed by a trained provider.
How many treatments are needed and how long are appointments?
Most commonly, a CoolSculpting appointment will last around 1-2 hours. The applicators are placed on the treatment area, and the cooling process in each area takes from 35-75 minutes. At our office, thanks to having the Elite technology and multiple devices, you can treat multiple areas of the body at the same time!
Emsculpt Neo treatments, on the other hand, are spaced apart once a week for four weeks. They last 30 minutes each. For both technologies, the number of treatments needed depends on your desired results and how many areas of the body you want to focus on. The best way to get an estimate is by schedule a free consultation, where your provider can help create a plan that’s right for you.
Will both treatments give similar results?
Both treatments are eliminating fat cells through heating or cooling technology. However, each technology offers a slightly different approach that can affect your overall outcome. Emsculpt Neo’s combination of muscle stimulation and fat reduction will help with overall tightening and abdominal toning in addition to targeting stubborn fat. CoolSculpting is excellent for those who want to solely focus on fat reduction. It is also a great choice for targeting a specific, “pinchable” pocket of fat. For example: inner thigh fat or bra fat. If you have a BMI over 35, EmSculpt Neo is not the right choice. This is because the HIFEM technology will not be able to effectively reach the muscle fibers. In that case, CoolSculpting Elite may be best, or a combination of the two.
Is there downtime?
Both treatments allow you to return to normal activities such as work or social commitments the same day as your treatment. After an EmSculpt Neo treatment, you may experience soreness for the next day, similar to after a challenging workout. After a CoolSculpting Elite treatment, you may experience swelling or tenderness. In rarer cases, you may also experience bruising for about a week after treatment. All CoolSculpting treatments result in numbness in the area where you were treated. How long this lasts may vary from person to person.
Which treatment is best?
Ultimately, this depends on your goals! At our Kenwood-based office, we perform hundreds of treatments of both EmSculpt Neo and CoolSculpting Elite each year. The best way to decide which treatment (or combination of treatments) is right for you is by coming in for a free consultation.
