The Treatment I Opted For
Emsculpt Neo, targeted at my abdomen
My Provider
Dr. Bruce Katz, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
What Is Emsculpt Neo?
Emsculpt Neo by BTL Aesthetics launched in 2024 and is a non-surgical, FDA-cleared body contouring device that combines high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) technology with radiofrequency (RF) energy. It aims to strengthen and build muscles while concurrently burning fat. It can address the abdomen, buttocks, biceps and triceps, and calves. Four 30-minute treatments, spaced one week apart, are suggested for optimal results.
Emsculpt vs. Emsculpt Neo: The Distinction
An Emsculpt treatment solely employs electromagnetic energy to generate approximately 20,000 involuntary muscle contractions within a 30-minute span. It activates all the muscles simultaneously, at a far more vigorous rate than what one could achieve during a workout, fortifying the muscle fibers and triggering the release of lactic acid and other substances that break down subcutaneous fat.
Emsculpt Neo produces up to 24,000 supramaximal contractions while also utilizing RF energy to enhance blood supply to the muscle tissues for increased volume and to dissolve fat cells by heating the fat layer to just above 42°C/107.6°F. “By fusing the two technologies, clinical studies have demonstrated that Emsculpt Neo can reduce up to 30% of fat in the treatment area and increase muscle growth by approximately 25%, whereas with Emsculpt there is closer to 19% fat reduction and 16% increase in muscle mass,” remarks Dr. Katz. “Emsculpt is typically for individuals with a BMI less than 30 who aim to eliminate a minor bulge and add muscle tone. But since Neo melts more fat, we can treat people with a BMI up to 35.”
Neither treatment is intended for skin firming.
Why I Gave It a Try
I'm not an avid workout enthusiast – I hike whenever possible and hop on my Spin bike a few times a week, but that's been the extent of my fitness endeavors since high school. And until my late 20s, that was all I truly needed to do to maintain the body I desired. I consistently had a flat stomach, with reasonably defined abs and toned legs (owing to a decade of daily horseback riding). But in my late 20s, all my detrimental habits – excessive alcohol consumption, late-night McDonald's indulgences, years of sitting at a desk for eight hours daily and then returning home to lounge on the couch – seemingly caught up with me. Ever since, I've constantly felt bloated, with love handles and a lower stomach “bulge” that prove difficult to shed.
Out of sheer ennui, at the onset of the pandemic, I adopted a consistent workout routine of squats, crunches, and cardio – which I likely would have witnessed remarkable improvements from, had I not significantly increased my daily wine intake. By autumn, my motivation to look good was at an all-time low, and Emsculpt Neo seemed like the ideal no-downtime, non-invasive body procedure.
Related: CoolSculpting vs. Emsculpt: What’s The Difference?
My Experience with Emsculpt Neo Treatments
I've witnessed numerous influencers and providers post about Emsculpt Neo, describing the treatment as “comfortable” and “painless,” which I knew wouldn't be the case even before my first session. I've intermittently worn a Slendertone ab-toning belt for years when cycling, strolling around the park, and even while doing household chores. It also utilizes electrical muscle stimulation to involuntarily contract the abdominal muscles, at a lower intensity than Emsculpt – and it's far from pleasant, by any imagination. Emsculpt, as I accurately anticipated, would be a much more intense version of that.
During my appointment, Dr. Katz took pre-treatment photos and then had me lie down on the table. I kept my sports bra and leggings on, and he placed the applicator on my abdomen and subsequently tightly wrapped a thick strap around me to secure it in position. He elucidated that the device has two alternating phases after the initial buildup period – the muscle-contracting phase and the recovery phase. During the 30-minute session, the radiofrequency energy heats the muscles to the point of apoptosis, or cell death. You can adjust the intensity from 0 to 100 (I hovered around 75 for the majority of my first session but reached 90 for the final five minutes; during the subsequent three sessions, I spent the initial 15 minutes at 90, then went up to 100. The nurse in the room informed me that women tolerate Emsculpt far better than men do – no surprise there).
But let's delve into how it truly felt. For me, the radiofrequency heat isn't memorable. If anything, it mitigated the discomfort of the muscle-contracting phase, which is... rather unpleasant. That part felt like a massive magnet was attempting to pull my stomach muscles out of my body, and it momentarily deprived me of breath each time. It was such a peculiar sensation that my eyes welled up and I experienced a moment of claustrophobic panic when the doctor left the room and I was trapped beneath this machine. I'm extremely grateful I never attended my appointments with a full stomach, as I would have desired to vomit. But every time I thought I couldn't endure another muscle contraction, the recovery phase initiated.
Recovery sounds gentle, and it indeed is, in comparison to what preceded it; but in order to break up the lactic acid that has accumulated from the strenuous contractions and can lead to cramps and muscle fatigue, the machine commences hitting the muscles. Imagine your abdomen as a door being vigorously knocked on repeatedly – and that's the “break” period.
When You Notice Emsculpt Neo Results and How Long They Last
I felt the core-strengthening effects a few days after my second treatment session when I worked out – I could balance better on the Spin bike and was less exhausted doing sit-ups. After the third session, I observed more defined upper abs. The only time I experienced minimal soreness was when I got out of bed the morning after each session.
I took my post-treatment photos six weeks after my fourth Emsculpt Neo session, and I was astonished by just how toned my stomach appeared, especially the obliques, without any alterations to my eating, drinking, or fitness routines. I hadn't noticed any fat reduction while looking in the mirror, but in the side photos, it was evident that there was fat loss around my lower belly, which Dr. Katz states will continue to improve for up to six months after treatment. Results persist for at least a year, at which point maintenance treatments are recommended.
The Cost of Emsculpt Neo
The price varies depending on your location, your provider, and the package discounts available, but a session typically ranges from $750 to $1,000. If the price is significantly lower, the provider might not be using an authentic Emsculpt device.
Final Verdict: Emsculpt Neo Works
I have an exceptionally high pain threshold, and I thought Emsculpt Neo was painful the first time (so much so that I texted friends: “I detest this so much, I want to stop, this feels dreadful”). Nevertheless, it became far more manageable with each session as my muscles in the treated area grew stronger, and if it had felt effortless, I wouldn't have believed it was effective in burning fat and toning muscles. It's the sole non-invasive treatment from which I've witnessed obvious results – and within such a brief time frame too. It's inspired me to adopt a more regular workout routine, and I plan to return for maintenance treatments in the autumn.
