Emsculpt is a modern, trendy procedure for increasing muscle mass and tone without exercise or surgery. It is also popular among celebrities. Emsculpt treatment is chosen by actress and model Kim Kardashian, an actress with two children Drew Barrymore, supermodel and mother of three Molly Sims, and many other famous people.
So let’s understand what attracts so many patients to this method of body contouring, as opposed to other sculpting procedures. Its pitfalls, side effects, and contraindications. And also, let’s find out if it’s as safe as they claim it to be.
What is the Emsculpt procedure?
Emsculpt is a non-invasive method of contouring the body, building and improving muscle tone and firmness. Emsculpt procedure is approved by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of abdominals, buttocks, arms, calves, and thighs. The procedure requires no pre or post-treatment care.
There are currently two generations of Emsculpt. The first Emsculpt works only on High Intensity Focused Electromagnetic Energy (HIFEM). And its newer generation uses not only HIFEM but also radio frequencies. While high-intensity electromagnetic energy builds muscle mass, radio frequencies reduce stubborn fat like ultrasonic cavitation treatment does.
Intense electromagnetic waves cause thousands of muscle contractions in one procedure (in practice, 20,000 contractions are claimed in 30 minutes). Even the most intense training cannot obtain such a load on the muscles. This stress leads to an increase in the number of muscle fibers and muscle building. The Emsculpt manufacturer, in their research, claims a 16-25% increase in muscle volume.
Radiofrequency waves cause vibrations, which in turn cause pressure on the subcutaneous fat. Thus the temperature in the subcutaneous fat increases. The cells cannot withstand the strain, causing the cell membrane to burst. The contents of the cells escape through the damaged membrane. And then, all are removed from the body in the form of waste products. In this way, Emsculpt Neo reduces fat by an average of 30%.
Is Emsculpt safe?
The safest way to lose fat, lose weight, and build muscle is still traditional exercise and a healthy, nutritious diet. But it is not always possible to achieve results in this way due to age and hormonal changes. That’s when Emsculpt comes to the rescue.
Emsculpt is a scientifically proven method of body contouring that is safe for the human body. It is FDA-approved for Fitzpatrick Skin Type I to Skin Type VI. Although theoretically, as the manufacturer claims, there are no side effects of the procedure, we did find a list of minor ones. There are also some contraindications worth reading.
Emsculpt is a non-invasive treatment, so it does not require anesthesia or any surgical intervention. Therefore, no recovery time is needed after the procedure. Patients can safely continue to go about their business after the procedure. Emsculpt can also be used as a method of recovery after injuries. In combination with physiotherapy, it can help to recover faster. Considering this data, it is also possible to judge the safety of this method for the human body.
There was a study on the effectiveness of the muscle gain procedure mentioned below. The 22 participants who took part had no contraindications. In addition to the fact that the treatment was effective in all the subjects, none of them had any side effects. This study clearly shows how effective the treatment is and how safe it is.
Even though Emsculpt is a relatively new technique, as long as it has existed, it has shown remarkable results. We can say that this method is safe for every patient who is aware of all contraindications.
What are the side effects of Emsculpt?
The manufacturer states that there are no negative side effects from the Emsculpt procedure. But still, some patients noticed a few side effects:
- The most frequent side effect is skin soreness as stated by patients.
- Also, right after the procedure, patients feel hunger and fatigue, just like after intense exercise. In addition, there may occur temporary pain in the joints and redness at or near the treatment site.
- Also, women should plan treatment according to their menstrual cycle so that it does not fall on the time of the procedures because Emsculpt may cause menstruation to start earlier or be more intense and painful.
- It is worth taking into account that allergy sufferers may react to the latex and the substances used during the procedure when the applicator is attached to the body. Tell your therapist in advance if you are allergic to latex.
- A very rare side effect can be a panic attack. People suffering from such conditions may experience it during extreme muscle contraction.
If you have any doubts, consult your doctor.
Effectiveness of Emsculpt procedure
Studies [1] show the effectiveness of using therapy to reduce fat and increase muscle mass. For example, twenty-two people participated, including twelve men and ten women, in one study of effectiveness in the abdominal area. As a result, all patients showed fat reduction after four treatments. There wasn’t a single patient who didn’t see results. The average fat reduction was 18.6 percent. Ninety-five percent of the subjects had increased muscle mass after two months, and only one patient showed no change. Thus, the average increase in abdominal muscle mass was 15.4 %.
You can achieve great results when you combine an active lifestyle, exercise, and a healthy diet with the Emsculpt treatment. This way, you can also maintain your results.
Who is contraindicated to Emsculpt treatment?
The Emsculpt procedure has several limitations associated with human exposure to electromagnetic fields.
Contraindications to treatment are:
Implants. Patients who have electrical devices such as implantable pacemakers, defibrillators, and neurostimulators are not candidates for the procedure. And also those who have a copper intrauterine device (if your device is from Mirena brand you can safely use Emsculpt) or any other metal implants in the treatment area.
Pregnancy. Intense contractions may put pressure on the baby, especially in the abdomen and pelvis areas. There are risks of miscarriage and other complications of the pregnancy.
Pulmonary Insufficiency. During super-maximal contractions, muscles need a lot of oxygen. Since patients with lung diseases cannot supply this need, they may become hypoxic.
Damage or injury. Super-intensive contractions can cause injuries to worsen.
Menstruation. Active menstruation is not a direct contraindication to the procedure. But it is recommended to plan the treatment so that the menstrual cycle does not coincide with the two weeks when the treatment will be performed (the procedure is carried out two times a week, for two weeks in a row) because Emsculpt can increase cramps and thus increase the flow intensity.
What does Emsculpt therapy feel like?
Many patients are concerned that the emsculpt is painful. But there is no need to worry. The procedure is always performed at a comfortable level for the patient, so it is virtually painless and brings no discomfort. During the entire process, the specialist increases the level of stimulation intensity as the threshold of tolerance to pain increases during treatment.
Mild, quite tolerable tingling may occur. And also, your muscles will physically move. Patients usually report a “tugging” sensation during the procedure. After treatment, there is practically no painful sensation in the following days.
Summary
Emsculpt is a safe, non-invasive way of shaping the body, which is primarily aimed at increasing muscle tone and building new muscle fibers. The procedure has several minor side effects, such as muscle soreness, as after an intense workout.
It is also a painless method in which the level of intensity of the contractions is adjusted to your individual tolerance. During the procedure, you may feel a slight pulling sensation.
The result can be seen immediately after the first treatment. But most visible after two months after a two-week course of four procedures.
FAQ
💪Can you overdo Emsculpt?
Emsculpt causes thousands of contractions during the procedure. But its great advantage is that you can’t overdo it. However, you cannot use it daily, only two times a week, for two weeks in a row (4 treatments in total).
❌Who should not get Emsculpt?
Patients who have electrical devices such as implantable pacemakers, defibrillators, and neurostimulators are not candidates for the procedure. And people who have a copper intrauterine device (Mirena is ok) or any other metal implants in the treatment area. And also, pregnant because contractions may put pressure on the baby. It is also not recommended to undergo the treatment during menstruation, as emsculpt increases cramps and a heavier menstrual flow.
⚡Is there radiation in Emsculpt?
Emsculpt uses electromagnetic waves to create muscle contractions. There is no radiation. Metallic objects entering the field of action may cause the risk of using such waves.
👩⚕️Is Emsculpt FDA approved?
Emsculpt is FDA approved for the abdominals, buttocks, arms, calves, and thighs treatment with Skin Type I to Skin Type VI. It is also for abdominal tone improvement, the abdominal muscles, and the development of a firmer abdomen. For buttocks, thighs, and calves strengthening, toning, and firming. Improvement of muscle tone and firmness for strengthening muscles in arms.
❔How safe is Emsculpt Neo?
The safety of Emsculpt is clinically proven. And it’s also FDA approved. The procedure has virtually no side effects other than temporary muscle soreness.
Sources
Brian M Kinney, Paula Lozanova. High intensity focused electromagnetic therapy evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging: Safety and efficacy study of a dual tissue effect based non-invasive abdominal body shaping. Lasers Surg Med. 2019 Jan;51(1):40–46.
