CoolSculpting® vs. EMSCULPT®: Which Is Right for You?

A little more than a decade ago, nonsurgical body contouring essentially involved hitting the gym. That all changed with the arrival of the “fat freezing” treatment, CoolSculpting®. Our med spa in Houston was among the first in Texas to offer CoolSculpting, which led to the development of several other nonsurgical fat reduction treatments.

Because Ovation Med Spa is dedicated to offering advanced, clinically proven aesthetic treatments—earning our reputation as the best med spa in Houston—we were also among the first med spas in the nation to offer EMSCULPT. EMSCULPT is another nonsurgical body contouring procedure that reduces fat and builds muscle.

Men and women seeking a toned, sculpted body often ask which of the body contouring procedures is best for them. Each treatment offers unique advantages and accomplishes its goals in different ways. In this blog post, we’ll explain those differences and help you understand why one treatment might be more suited to your goals than the other.

What’s the Difference Between CoolSculpting and EMSCULPT?

Both CoolSculpting and EMSCULPT treatments are designed for patients who are already in good overall shape but are frustrated that they still have pockets of fat or muscles that lack tone. These FDA-approved procedures target those areas with different technologies to get the desired results.

How Does CoolSculpting Work?

The story of CoolSculpting began when a couple of Harvard scientists noticed the hollowed-out appearance of children who sucked on popsicles. That serendipitous observation led to the development of cryolipolysis, the process used by CoolSculpting to “freeze” fat cells without incisions or injections. It works safely because fat cells begin dying at temperatures that aren’t cold enough to damage the skin’s surface or surrounding tissue.

Initially approved by the FDA to treat the abdomen and thighs, CoolSculpting can now be used virtually anywhere, thanks to applicators specifically designed for certain areas of the body. For example, the CoolMini™ applicator fits snugly under the chin to reduce the neck fat that can cause the appearance of a double chin. The non-invasive nature of CoolSculpting means there’s no downtime following treatments.

How Does EMSCULPT Work?

EMSCULPT is a breakthrough treatment that builds muscle and burns fat. The high-intensity, focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) technology used by the device forces targeted muscles to rapidly contract. When used on the abdominal area, for example, a 30-minute treatment session produces the equivalent of 20,000 sit-ups. EMSCULPT can also build muscle and tone thighs and the buttocks.

In the same way that strenuous physical exertion during a workout burns fat, EMSCULPT’s high-intensity treatment also reduces fat while it builds muscle.

Which Is Best for You?

Both procedures are safe, and in most cases, patients can benefit from either CoolSculpting or EMSCULPT. Results take weeks to emerge for both treatments. EMSCULPT and CoolSculpting before-and-after photos demonstrate the types of outcomes you can expect. Patients who are focused more on fat reduction typically get the best results from CoolSculpting. For added convenience, our clinic can treatment twice the number of areas in half the time with DualSculpting.

Cost is also a factor for many patients when choosing a treatment. The cost of an EMSCULPT treatment is $1,000, with a package of 4 treatments offered for $3,000. The cost of CoolSculpting is based on the area or areas treated. Treatment for one area (for example, the outer thigh) is $1,600. Patients save 10% when treating 2 areas and 20% for 3 areas. We also offer 20% off for packages of 4 or more areas.

The best way to decide on a specific treatment is to discuss them with one of our specialists. You can contact us to request a consultation using the online form or call us at our Houston med spa at (713) 936-2490.