Does Emsculpt Work? What Recent Studies Are Saying
Any doctor will tell you one of the best ways to increase your health and shape your figure is to build more muscle. The more muscle you have on your body, the more tone your natural curves and lean mass will appear to others. BTL Industries, Inc., an aesthetic technology company headquartered in Boston, had this exact principle in mind when it created Emsculpt, one of the most popular non-invasive body contouring systems at our Portsmouth, NH plastic surgery practice.
Many patients we sit down with who are interested in Emsculpt lead their consultations with a common question: does Emsculpt really work?
The high intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM®) treatment system, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to strengthen, tone, and firm the abdomen and buttocks, can seem like science fiction at first. In this post, we thought it would be beneficial to dig into some of the recent clinical studies of Emsculpt and summarize what some of the research says about Emsculpt’s efficacy and results.
A Recent Study Shows Emsculpt Lowers Body Mass Index (BMI) with No Adverse Effects
In one of the more recent studies involving Emsculpt, published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology in September 2018, scientists took a look at how HIFEM technology affected a patient’s body mass index. In it, 22 patients were evaluated throughout four Emsculpt treatments on their abdomens.
Emsculpt uses a body-contouring device to deliver energy to targeted areas that causes supramaximal muscle contractions. The study concluded the abdominal contractions reduced the size of the participants’ waists after four 30-minute treatments spaced 2-3 days apart. During a 3-month follow up appointment, patients’ waists had shrunk by an average of nearly 2 inches! Additionally, there were no adverse effects reported by those in the study, and 92% reported they were satisfied with the results.
A Recent Study Uses Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to Evaluate Emsculpt
In another study published in 2018, this time in the journal Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, another 22 patients were given four Emsculpt treatments focused on their abdomens. Researchers used MRI technology to evaluate the results because of its reputation as a precise way to diagnose changes in body tissues.
The results of the study showed that abdominal fat was reduced among the study participants by an average of nearly 19%, abdominal muscle tissue increased by 15%, and abdominal muscle separation (which can cause your belly to protrude) was reduced by as much as 10%. Additionally, researchers concluded this method of body contouring may also help preserve the results long-term.
A Recent Study Concludes Emsculpt is Effective for Comfortably Lifting and Shaping the Buttocks
A study published in the Journal of Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery in May 2019 examined the feasibility of using Emsculpt to improve the appearance and shape of the buttocks. In the study, 21 women used Emsculpt for four 30-minute sessions.
During the study, patients were asked about discomfort, and none reported experiencing any during Emsculpt treatments. The study used independent evaluators who observed photos of patients throughout the treatment. The independent evaluators concluded that Emsculpt was a viable alternative to more invasive procedures and not only improved the shape and volume of the buttocks, but also reduced sagging of the skin and underlying tissues.
A Recent Study Highlights Patient Satisfaction and Improvement in Self-Confidence with Emsculpt
In a study published last November, 75 patients were treated using HIFEM to improve their gluteal (buttock) muscles. The study, published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, found that not only were four treatments enough to cause 85% of participants to report a “significant” improvement in the tone, shape, lift, and tightness of their buttocks, but it also found this had a clinically significant impact on the patients’ reported self-confidence.
Interested in Using Emsculpt to Build More Muscle, Break Down Stubborn Fat, and Look Great?
At AW Plastic Surgery, Dr. Wilson enthusiastically leverages the latest cosmetic treatment technology to provide a range of non-surgical options for those interested in body contouring. You don’t necessarily need invasive procedures with lengthy recovery periods to get the results you desire. Schedule a consultation at our Portsmouth, NH plastic surgery practice, and let’s build the perfect road-map to make your goals a reality.
If you wish to contact us, please feel free use our website to send a message. You can also call our office at (603) 294-4526 with questions or to schedule your consultation.
Reports Cited:
Safety and efficacy of a novel high‐intensity focused electromagnetic technology device for noninvasive abdominal body shaping. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. September 2018.
High-Intensity Focused (HIFEM) Field Therapy Used for NonInvasive Buttock Augmentation and Lifting: Feasibility Study. Journal of Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery May 2019
High Intensity Focused Electro-Magnetic Technology (HIFEM) for Non-Invasive Buttock Lifting and Toning of Gluteal Muscles: Journal of Drugs in Dermatology Nov 2018