There are several treatments that permanently eliminate excess fat, stubborn areas and localized fat deposits that resist dieting and exercise. Among these, EMSculpt, cryolipolysis with CoolSculpting and liposuction offer the best results. Presentation of the advantages and disadvantages of each technique.
For a long time, liposuction was the only technique that could permanently and effectively eliminate excess fat. There are now two aesthetic medicine treatments that stand out as effective alternatives to this cosmetic surgery technique: cryolipolysis with CoolSculpting and EMSculpt. CoolSculpting uses the properties of cold to remove fat from the body. EMSculpt uses electromagnetic pulses to sculpt and tone the body.
The table below presents the principles, advantages and disadvantages of each technique in terms of effectiveness, treatment duration and possible side effects.
If you would like to know whether you are a good candidate for a fat removal treatment with EMSculpt or CoolSculpting, we offer a free body contouring diagnostic consultation to review your expectations and suggest a tailored treatment plan.
| Liposuction | Coolsculpting | EMSculpt |
|---|---|---|
| Principle | ||
| A cosmetic surgery technique that involves suctioning fat from the body using a fine cannula and a closed, negative-pressure circuit. | Cryolipolysis uses the natural destructive action of cold on fat. Fat cells are damaged during treatment and are then eliminated through metabolism. | Electromagnetic pulses trigger particularly intense involuntary contractions of the targeted muscles. A 30-minute session is equivalent to 20,000 squats or crunches. |
| Result | ||
|
Fat removal can be observed immediately after the procedure. In the following days, swelling may temporarily conceal the result. The final result can be assessed after 3 to 6 months, once the skin has retracted and revealed the new contour of the treated area. |
The result is not immediately visible at the end of the session. The final result of the procedure can be assessed 2 to 3 months after the session, although some slimming may be noticeable as early as 3 weeks. |
On average: a 19% reduction in fat layer and a 16% increase in muscle mass. The result of an EMSculpt treatment can be observed after around 8-15 days for the muscles and within 2-3 months for the fat. |
| Side effects | ||
|
Swelling and bruising that gradually disappear in the days that follow. Discomfort for a few days (moderate pain). Possible changes in sensation in the treated area. |
Redness, swelling, numbness, bruising, tingling. These side effects gradually disappear within hours of treatment. In some cases, they persist for a few days. At the start of treatment, you may feel a pinching sensation, tingling and intense cold (which quickly acts as a natural anesthetic). |
EMSculpt causes no side effects. The treatment is not painful. It does not involve needles or electrical impulses applied directly to the skin. |
| Risks | ||
|
This is a procedure that necessarily involves anesthesia (general or local) as well as the risks inherent to any surgical operation. |
Cryolipolysis with Coolsculpting carries no risk other than the quality of the result, which may be insufficient if the saddlebags are significant or the skin quality is poor. |
EMSculpt involves no risk. The result appears gradually over the course of the weekly sessions. |
| Treatment duration | ||
|
The operation lasts between 30 min and 1 hour, depending on the amount of fat removed. A hospital stay of at least one day is required. It is possible to leave the clinic the same evening as the procedure. |
A session lasts between 1 and 3 hours, depending on the goals and the number of areas treated. The session is carried out under the supervision of a registered nurse trained and certified by the laboratory for the technique. |
A session generally lasts 30 minutes. The session is carried out under the supervision of a registered nurse trained and certified by the laboratory for the technique. |
| Number of treatments | ||
A single procedure is enough to eliminate all of the targeted fat. Several areas of the body can be treated during the same procedure. In rare cases, a second liposuction may be considered to enhance the result or correct an excess or lack of correction. |
A single session already produces a slimming effect. To achieve a result comparable to liposuction, 1 to 4 sessions should be planned, spaced 3 months apart (the time needed for the body to eliminate damaged cells). Several areas of the body can be treated at once during the same session. |
A full treatment generally consists of 4 sessions spaced 2 to 3 days apart. The result of the treatment can already be observed on the muscles after a single session. Only one region of the body is treated per session (either the abdominal belt or the buttocks). |
| > Learn more about liposuction | > Learn more about Coolsculpting | > Learn more about EMSculpt |
