body contouring: an option, but not a magic wand

in 2018, the american society of plastic surgeons reported that there were more than 17.7 million surgical and minimally-invasive cosmetic procedures performed in the united states, with a spike in non-invasive fat reduction, such as body contouring techniques.although these non-surgical technologies have been around for about 10 years, body contouring — also known as body sculpting — is one of the lesser known cosmetic medicine procedures on the market. but any conversation about cosmetic procedures that target fat comes with a caveat: body contouring does not replace exercise and a healthy lifestyle, it merely supports these good habits and helps you see results in stubborn areas. it is also worth noting that these technologies are particularly exciting for those with illness or disability that prevents them from optimizing their health via traditional exercise.

what is body contouring?

body contouring encompasses a number of non-surgical procedures that subtly change the shape of the body through either fat reduction or muscle toning technologies. there are a number of fat reduction body contouring technologies on the market now, such as velashape, ultrashape, and the most popular and commonly known, coolsculpting, amongst several others. the latest development in the world of body contouring is emsculpt, which is the first technology of it’s kind to focus on muscle toning. these technologies are minimally invasive (non-surgical; no incisions) and are meant to provide subtle changes to the shape of the body, targeting specific areas that the patient is trying to slim down or tone up.

how does it work?

 the body contouring technologies which focus on fat reduction use either heating or freezing to promote the destruction of fat cells. devices that heat the tissues can become uncomfortable, which often limits the effectiveness of the treatment. whereas with treatments that freeze, patients initially feel the cold, followed by numbness, which is generally well tolerated.coolsculpting is the first of the fat reduction technologies to use cold, instead of heat, and is generally regarded as the most comfortable of the techniques. the device is placed on a targeted area of the patient’s body they would like to see slimmed down, and then either heats or cools the fat layer below the skin, inducing the elimination of fat cells. each treatment only takes about 30 minutes, with no downtime afterwards. the cost of coolsculpting can range anywhere from $1,500 to $16,000, but varies based on factors such as the number of treatment areas a patient would like to target, the size of the treatment areas, the goals of the patient and the number of treatments needed to achieve those goals.in addition, emsculpt is a huge part of the body contouring technology future. in a series of four treatments, the device uses an electromagnetic field to stimulate muscle activation and contractions to increase muscle tone and thickness. patients experience 20,000 muscle contractions per 30 minute session — significantly more than what a person could achieve at the gym in the same amount of time. with this being said, emsculpt isn’t a replacement for the gym — it is still important to make sure you are getting sufficient exercise and getting your heart rate up.although just about every patient can benefit from emsculpt, this treatment is ideal for patients who are already relatively fit. people with a few extra pounds to lose may not see as much of a change, as the fat can act as a barrier between the device and the muscles, reducing the strength of the muscle contractions during treatment. working with a medical professional will ensure that you can achieve your goals for your body in a way that is safe for you. patients can also consider doing some coolsculpting sessions before starting emsculpt for more effective results. emsculpt can be targeted to areas such as the abdomen, buttock, biceps, triceps, quadriceps and calves.

what are the risks of body contouring and what does it feel like?

these treatments are not painful, but can cause some discomfort. for example, emsculpt patients usually say they feel a “pulling” sensation. the clinician providing the treatment has total control of the intensity, so patients should be treated at a level that is comfortable to them. the devices commonly used for these treatments are fda-cleared and proven to be safe and effective. however, it’s essential to note that there are certain medical conditions that do not go well with some body contouring technologies. for this reason, i again highly recommend working with a medical professional before starting any of these treatments to make sure they are suitable for you.

the results you can expect

the treatments really do work, but i would suggest working with a cosmetic medicine physician who will guide your expectations, especially with the fat reduction technologies. results are meant to target a specific area and reduce the buildup of stubborn fat on a smaller scale. if a patient is coming into my clinic with the expectation of weight loss, i won’t recommend body contouring for them as they will not see those results.just as i’ve discussed in my past articles, the four key pillars of overall health — eating well, getting enough sleep, exercising and taking care of your mental well-being — will also play into the success of these body contouring technologies. the more you are focusing on these four pillars, the better results you will see. i regularly meet patients who will use these treatments as motivation to start investing in their overall health.it is also worth noting that results are best appreciated three months after treatment, and will vary from person to person depending on their lifestyle habits and how their body responds to treatment. if you have any questions or concerns regarding body contouring technologies and if they are right for you, it’s important to speak with a cosmetic medicine physician and have a personalized, focused consultation.

what does this technology mean for the future?

emsculpt is giving us a look at the future, with its ability to improve muscle tone in 30 minutes. this has never been seen or done before. with that being said, researchers have been studying the metabolic effects of exercise and how technology and other medical innovations can potentially mimic those effects. emsculpt is the beginning of this, and the current direction of scientific study suggests that there will be technologies and/or substances that may completely change our concept of exercise in the near future.technologies like coolsculpting and emsculpt are also giving people more options in terms of how they can achieve their ideal aesthetic. i appreciate the fact that when you look good, you feel better as well – these technologies are allowing people to look and feel better. in the future, i believe we will get more experience with these types of technologies as innovation inevitably progresses. each time a new body contouring technology hits the market, it aims to be more effective, more comfortable, and should be a treatment with less downtime when compared to the ones that are currently on the market. dr. rohan bissoondath, md, is the medical director and founder of preventous collaborative health and preventous cosmetic medicine. he is an executive board member of the canadian association of aesthetic medicine and is certified by the college of family physicians of canada and licensed through the college of physicians and surgeons of alberta. don’t miss the latest on covid-19, reopening and life. subscribe to healthing’s daily newsletter covid life.