May 29, 2023

Body contouring is becoming increasingly popular, especially the non-invasive and minimally invasive types. This involves reshaping parts of the body using methods that either do not puncture the skin or just barely puncture the skin (like with a needle). The goal is to create a preferable body contour.

While some people think that body contouring is “cheating,” we say that it’s no different from cosmetic dentistry. If it’s socially acceptable to whiten your teeth or straighten your teeth with an Invisalign, why can’t you feel good about doing body contouring to improve confidence in your aesthetic? It’s no different.

Nevertheless, the growing popularity of non-invasive and minimally invasive body contouring means there’s a growing number of options available in Halifax and Nova Scotia. How do you figure out which methods are right for you? This article gives a summary of the notable options to help you make a good decision.

CoolSculpting Technology

• Non-invasive device that uses cooling technology to permanently reduce unwanted fat with little to no downtime
• It works! CoolSculpting reduces fat by an average of 22% and many people who were good candidates for this treatment and treated by well-trained providers have had positive experiences.
• CoolSculpting only works for people who have “pinchable” subcutaneous fat because the applicators are suction-based. It cannot treat harder visceral fat or fat that you cannot “grab”.
• It comes with considerable risks including freeze burns and Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia (PAH). PAH is an adverse reaction that causes the growth of fat cells instead of the reduction of fat cells. You may have heard about it in the Linda Evalngelista
• CoolSculpting is an older technology. While it used to be the leading non-invasive fat reduction treatment, the industry has advanced so much that other treatments tend to be more attractive.

Emsculpt Neo Technology

• Emsculpt Neo is currently the leading non-invasive body contouring treatment in the world.
• It permanently reduces fat and effectively builds muscle simultaneously with no downtime. On the abdomen, clinical studies show that it reduces fat by an average of 30% and builds muscle by an average of 25%.
• Emsculpt Neo is also customizable. For example, in areas where people typically don’t want to lose fat like the bum, it only builds muscle to lift and tone.
• This device focuses on areas of the body where there are muscle groups or “fleshy parts” including the biceps, triceps, abdomen, love handles, glutes, thighs, and calves.
• Like any type of body contouring, you play a role in your outcome. It works best for people who have a stable weight.

StarFormer TightWave

• StarFormer TightWave is a non-invasive copycat technology of Emsculpt Neo.
• It claims to strengthen, tone, and firm different muscle groups in the body.
• While Emsculpt Neo uses High Intensity Focused Electromagnetic (HIFEM) energy plus radiofrequency (RF) heat to visibly strengthen muscles and reduce fat, StarFormer TightWave uses something called High Intensity Tesla Stimulation (HITS), which is not as powerful and does not reduce fat.
• Some may be interested in the StarFormer TightWave because of its lower price point.

FYI, there are always going to be knock-off, less effective, made-in-China versions of premium devices. It’s always a good idea to ask a provider about the brand name of their device as well as the clinical research that backs up their devices.

Evoke

• Evoke is a non-invasive facial rejuvenation and remodelling technology.
• It uses radiofrequency (RF) heat to give more definition to the face and neck.
• Evoke uses a headpiece that tightens skin in the lower face and slims the submental area (the double chin).
• It’s a comfortable treatment.
• Good candidates are generally pleased with their results.
• However, you can only use it on the face and neck and you must do each of these areas with a different headpiece.
• While skin tightening procedures always require maintenance (you can’t stop the ageing process!), it is unclear whether the submental slimming effect is permanent.

Exilis Ultra Technology

• Exilis Ultra is a non-invasive, multi-purpose device that is celebrated for its versatility.
• These treatments permanently reduce stubborn fat and tighten skin without pain or downtime.
• There are a few key differences between Evoke and Exilis Ultra. First, Evoke is only for the face and neck, whereas Exilis Ultra can be used practically anywhere on the body.
• Second, while Evoke uses radiofrequency (RF) heat, Exilis Ultra uses both RF heat and ultrasound energy. Basically, the RF heat does the fat reduction and skin tightening work while the ultrasound energy helps the RF heat penetrate deeper and faster.
• Third, Exilis Ultra is more customizable because a technician performs treatment according to each client’s specific goals.
• Treatments are comfortable and short.

Belkyra Injectable

• Also known as Kybella in the USA, Belkyra is a widely recognized injectable treatment that permanently destroys fat cells in the under-chin area.
• Because Belkyra is an injectable, it’s considered a minimally invasive treatment.
• While some people report having good experiences, others say that Belkyra is an uncomfortable treatment and it often comes with downtime due to swelling.

VShape

• VShape is a non-invasive body contouring technology.
• It uses radiofrequency (RF) heat and ultrasound energy to reduce fat and tighten skin, although each of these goals may require separate treatments.
• Most people find VShape results are so subtle that they are not worth the cost of the treatments.
• Instead of eliminating fat cells, some technologies only shrink fat cells for a limited time. It’s unclear as to whether fat reduction from VShape is permanent.

EmTone Technology

• EmTone is the world’s first and only non-invasive technology to effectively treat all 5 causes of cellulite. The 5 causes include enlarged fat chambers in the hypodermis applying outward pressure in between connective tissues, rigid collagen fibers pulling inward against outward pressure, loss of skin elasticity decreasing resistance to pressure, poor blood flow, and accumulation of metabolic waste.
• EmTone uses a combination of Targeted Pressure Energy (TPE) and radiofrequency (RF) heat.
• Additionally, the technician’s manipulation of the EmTone handpiece creates lymphatic drainage, which contributes to the overall result.

ThermiSmooth Body

• ThermiSmooth Body is a non-invasive, radiofrequency-based device for the treatment of cellulite.
• Like most radiofrequency-based treatments, it encourages skin in the treated area to produce more collagen, which creates a firmer and smoother appearance.
• There is no pain or downtime.
• Since ThermiSmooth Body uses only 1 agent of change (RF heat) as opposed to EmTone’s 3 agents of change (RF heat, TPE, and lymphatic drainage) suggests that results are limited.

Now What?

This article is a good starting point for your research! It’s also important to collect information directly from providers and make sure you’re comfortable with the provider you choose.

Here at Body Works Med Spa & Wellness, we specialize in non-invasive body contouring. We also offer free consultations. We’re the go-to provider of Emsculpt Neo in Atlantic Canada and offer an Emsculpt Neo Results Promise, plus we’re Nova Scotia’s only provider of both Exilis Ultra and EmTone. We can also combine treatments from different technologies to offer enhanced therapies. We’d love to meet and chat with you to see if there’s a fit. Please call 902-405-0858 during open hours or use our online booking platform to schedule a free consultation.