Emsculpt Neo®

Emsculpt Neo^® is a non-invasive body contouring device that combines high intensity focused electromagnetic technology (HIFEM) with radiofrequency (RF) for fat reduction and increasing muscle size. The device targets the same areas as Emsculpt, including the abdomen, arms, buttocks, thighs, and calves.

Emsculpt Neo^® induces powerful muscle contractions that imitate the effects of 20,000 crunches, without you having to spend hours at the gym. The contractions prompt the muscle tissue to become bigger and stronger.

These hyper-contractions also trigger some fat loss, but unlike older Emsculpt treatments, Emsculpt Neo^® also includes RF fat-reduction technology to burn a larger amount of fat.

The advanced form of HIFEM is also more effective for stimulating muscle growth when compared to the original approach. This customizable treatment allows patients to have the option of choosing whether they want to have HIFEM or RF treatment on their own or combined.

As mentioned above, losing weight and building muscle through standard diet and exercise techniques can often be challenging. When we reach adulthood, we have a set number of fat cells that won’t change much for the rest of our lifespan. The way this fat is distributed is mostly determined by genetics and hormones.

Since we store fat in different areas, our body shapes are different. For example, one person may have a more apple-shaped figure because they carry more of their weight on the abdomen, while another person might store more fat all over.

Science has shown that spot reduction or using targeted exercises to burn fat in specific problem areas isn’t possible. We can’t control which areas lose fat when the number goes down on the scale. Not to mention, when weight loss is successful, the fat cells simply shrink but never go away completely, making future weight gain more likely.

Unlike body sculpting as a result of lifestyle changes, Emsculpt Neo^® can selectively “burn” fat cells in isolated areas and remove them for good. These cells do not merely shrink. They are damaged by the intense energy and then cleared out by natural body processes, so they can’t stick around and get larger again.

Gaining visible, sculpted muscles without Emsculpt Neo^® may also be challenging. A person’s ability to gain muscle is influenced by genetics and hormones. Due to genetics, for example, some people have longer muscles and shorter tendons, meaning that they have a greater potential for building prominent muscles. Testosterone also helps to build muscle mass, which is why it’s more difficult for women—who have lower levels of this hormone—to build muscle on areas like the abdomen.

Emsculpt Neo^® “equalizes the playing field” by allowing women and men alike to sculpt their physique regardless of their genes.

Emsculpt Neo^® is not a weight loss procedure, nor a treatment for obesity. Although it’s designed for a wide range of body types and virtually anyone can benefit from the body contouring results, it’s approved by the FDA for patients with a BMI (body mass index) of up to 35. Patients who have metal or electronics in their bodies, such as copper IUDs and pacemakers, may not be eligible for Emsculpt Neo^®. Talk with your treatment provider about this first.

Keep in mind that patients who will enjoy the best results are those who are already generally slim. The treatment can help take those who want improved muscle definition “over the finish line” in creating a truly sculpted look. However, even larger body types can reap the benefits of this incredible treatment.

Very minimal preparation is required for Emsculpt Neo^®, although it will be best to remove any metal jewelry that could get heated up by the RF and HIFEM energy. As with any treatment or procedure, it’s best to come to your appointment well rested and hydrated.

An Emsculpt Neo^® session is simple, straightforward, and completed in just 30 minutes. Energy is administered through electric paddles of various sizes. No surgery, anesthesia, or needles are involved in the process. The applicators emit both RF and HIFEM energy, using highly controlled temperature increases to trigger selective damage of subcutaneous fat cells.

Emsculpt Neo^® also induces intense muscle contractions that you would not be able to achieve in a normal workout on your own. The radiofrequency energy that the device gives off increases the temperature of the muscles by several degrees and prepares them for exposure to stress. Each session should be scheduled five to 10 days apart.

Many people say that the heating sensation from the RF feels similar to a hot stone massage. It might take some time to get used to the constant contractions, but patients typically say it is not painful.

There are virtually no side effects from an Emsculpt Neo^® treatment, aside from mild redness and swelling that may last for a few days and might feel similar to what you may experience after an intense workout. No downtime is required.

Emsculpt Neo^® can be customized so that patients can either burn fat and build muscle simultaneously or have either type of treatment done solo at the time. For instance, on the buttocks area, patients can have focused muscle-building treatments without also working to reduce fat, so more volume can be preserved.

After four treatment sessions, patients can expect a 25 percent increase in muscle growth and a 30 percent decrease in subcutaneous fat. Muscle strength should improve within weeks of the final Emsculpt Neo^® treatment, while the fat loss results will continue to become more noticeable over about three months as the subcutaneous fat cells damaged by the heat are flushed out of the body.

In addition to all of the cosmetic benefits—such as a slimmer waistline and better ab definition—the beauty of Emsculpt Neo^® is that it actually strengthens muscles. The Emsculpt Neo^® muscle-building technique not only adds definition but also builds important muscle groups in the abdomen and buttocks to improve performance and stamina while working out.

Patients may notice functional benefits such as improved posture because core muscles are tightened. They may also enjoy the ability to run faster, squat, or deadlift more easily, hold a plank for longer, or lift heavier weights with less effort.

To enhance and preserve the results from this treatment for as long as possible, diet and exercise—both during and after the procedure—will be very important. Just like the muscles you sculpt by working out, you’ll need to continue to maintain an exercise routine to prolong the results. You can optimize the effects of an Emsculpt Neo^® treatment by undergoing additional sessions in addition to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Dr. Ellen Turner’s Dallas-based office offers a range of body contouring options. These include CoolSculpting^® to reduce the volume of stubborn, diet-resistant fat in isolated areas on the body by freezing fat cells, as well as Ultherapy^®, an FDA-approved treatment that uses ultrasound energy to heat and tighten loose skin by kickstarting the body’s processes for creating new collagen. Kybella^® is another minimally invasive option that involves injecting deoxycholic acid into resistant fat on the submental area to reduce a double chin.