Non-Invasive Body Contouring and How to Tell Which Treatment Is Right for You

Once upon a time, people claimed it was impossible to spot-reduce the fat on your body. Today’s advanced body sculpting treatments prove them wrong. 

MedSpa body contouring technologies offer you non-invasive alternatives to surgery that require no downtime. You can drop into our clinic during your afternoon lunch break and be back on the job immediately after. 

But the dizzying array of new technologies — laser liposuction, coolsculpting, electromagnetic stimulation, etc. — means that it can be hard to understand and sort through your options. While it’s no substitute for a one-on-one consultation about our body sculpting services, this guide should help orient you. Here are the best body sculpting treatments and the people who should consider them.

CryoSculpting: Freeze the Fat

The best-known body sculpting technology is cryolipolysis or fat-freezing. It’s been around since 2010 and was the first non-surgical alternative to liposuction to be approved by the FDA.

What is CryoSculpting?

CryoSculpting is a non-invasive body contouring procedure that uses controlled cooling to freeze fat cells in specific areas of the body. During the treatment, a handheld device is used to apply cold temperatures to the targeted area, causing the fat cells to freeze and eventually die off. The process is called cryolipolysis — and it’s proven to work. Over time, the body naturally eliminates these dead fat cells as waste, resulting in a more toned and contoured appearance. 

At our Apple Valley med spa, we use the Pagani Cryo T Shock, which takes this technology to the next level. It combines cryotherapy, thermotherapy, and massage therapy in one device. The innovative approach not only eliminates fat but also tightens skin and reduces cellulite.

What Problem Areas Does CryoSculpting Treat?

Some of the most common problem areas treated through cryo-sculpting are the:

• Abdomen
• Love handles
• Thighs
• Arms
• Back
• Double chin

But cryo-sculpting is also a wonderful way to touch up odds and ends, the small pockets that other devices may struggle to reach. We also find ourselves getting frosty — in more ways than one — when clients come in with uneven or poor results from previous treatments. We treat bumpy surfaces, loose skin, and stretch marks for a flawless finish.

CryoSculpting vs. CoolSculpting

While both CryoSculpting and CoolSculpting use cold to remove fat cells, CryoSculpting has been shown to provide more even results and tighter skin. This is because CryoSculpting not only freezes fat cells but also stimulates collagen production and blood flow, which helps to tighten and firm the skin.

CryoSculpting is also a much more affordable body sculpting option when compared to the average cost of CoolSculpting.

CryoSculpting: At a Glance

Discomfort: Little to none 

CryoSculpting is completely non-invasive. However, if you have skin that’s extra sensitive to cold, you might be happier with a different form of body contouring.

Ideal for: People with stubborn pockets of fat, sagging skin, or non-ideal body-sculpting results from prior treatments.

CryoSculpting can also treat very large or very small areas.

Price: $$

Evolve X: Tighten, Tone, and Transform 

The Apple Valley team of Advanced Body Sculpting & MedSpa loves the Evolve technology. It delivers an amazing blend of benefits: reducing fat, building muscles, and tightening the skin.

How Does Evolve X Work?

Evolve X is a versatile and complete body contouring technology that uses radiofrequency energy (RF) and electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) to dissolve fat, tighten skin, and tone muscles. 

In addition to killing fat cells and generating collagen production, Evolve technology makes muscles involuntarily contract — and at a greater frequency than is otherwise possible. A single session with Evolve is the equivalent of thousands of squats, crunches, or curls. Talk about tone work!

What Issues Respond Well to Evolve Body Contouring?

Evolve X can effectively treat abs, love handles, legs, arms, and buttocks. Even better, the treatment can address multiple issues simultaneously. Evolve Transform:

• Reduces stubborn fat pockets
• Tightens loose or sagging skin
• Improves muscle tone and definition

It’s the perfect procedure to help you build muscle while you’re burning fat and keeping your skin taut.

Evolve X vs. Mommy Makeover

A Mommy Makeover is a group of cosmetic surgeries designed to restore the body’s appearance after pregnancy and childbirth. One can include breast augmentation, tummy tucks, liposuction, butt lifts, vaginoplasty, etc.

Evolve X can’t replace all of these procedures, but it can do some things that fat reduction surgeries can’t. In addition to toning, tightening, and fat-reducing, the machine induces powerful muscle contractions that can help repair diastasis recti, the common separation of the abdominal wall during pregnancy.

Evolve X: At a Glance

Discomfort: Variable

It all depends on the intensity of the EMS setting. A mild stinging sensation in the treated area is normal, but be vocal during your experience. The best spas will also increase the intensity gradually, allowing you to become accustomed to each new level.

Ideal for: Clients reasonably near their weight goal who want a complete tune-up on lingering problem areas

Price: $$

Vacuum Therapy: VaVaVoom Body Sculpting

Want a little power in your caboose? How about tighter, healthier skin? Consider vacuum therapy for a little extra va va voom. 

What Is Vacuum Therapy?

Vacuum therapy is a non-invasive body contouring treatment that uses suction and massage to stimulate blood flow and lymphatic drainage in the targeted area. The suction also helps to break down fat cells and improve skin elasticity.

During a vacuum therapy session, a therapist will use a special device that applies suction to the skin. The device has different attachments that can be used on various parts of the body, including the buttocks, thighs, abdomen, and arms. 

Who’s a Good Candidate for Vacuum Therapy?

Vacuum therapy is particularly effective at treating cellulite and firming problem areas. In addition to its cosmetic benefits, vacuum therapy improves circulation and reduces muscle tension. The most popular use of vacuum therapy is as a non-surgical alternative to a Brazilian butt lift. 

Women concerned about “hip dips,” indentations that occur between the hip bone and thigh bone, may also benefit from vacuum therapy cupping. Hip dips are a common concern for many women, as they can create an uneven or "boxy" appearance in the hips, and cupping can help smooth them out.

However, it may not be as effective as other methods when it comes to removing large amounts of fat or creating dramatic changes in body shape.

Vacuum Therapy: At a Glance

Discomfort: Little to none

You may experience a slight squeeze as the device is turned on.

Ideal for: People who want to firm up soft areas, particularly the buttocks 

Price: $

Slimming Wraps: The Red-Carpet Quick Fix

Are you looking for a quick fix to tone your body before a big event? Slimming wraps target bloating and water weight, making them an effective option for temporary body sculpting. They also promote lymphatic drainage and improve other body contouring treatments and general fitness.

How Do Slimming Wraps Work?

Your esthetician will apply a cream or other product onto the skin and then wrap the targeted area, typically the stomach or thighs. As the wrap heats up, it helps to open up pores and increase blood flow to the area. The process can reduce inflammation and promote lymphatic drainage, which can lead to a temporary reduction in bloating and water weight.

At Advanced Body Sculpting & MedSpa, we take the therapy one step further. Our red-light wraps detoxify fat cells for the best results.

What Problem Areas Can You Treat With Slimming Wraps?

Slimming wraps are most effective at targeting problem areas that are prone to bloating and water retention. 

Discomfort: None

Ideal for: Quick results or as a supplement to other body sculpting options

Price: $

Morpheus8: The Celebrity’s Choice for Cellulite

Morpheus8 isn’t just a body sculpting treatment. Celebrities have endorsed this amazing procedure for skin rejuvenation and tightening across the board. Kim Kardashian loves what it does for her stomach, but it’s better known for its amazing facial results. 

How Does Morpheus8 Work on the Body?

Morpheus 8 is a minimally invasive treatment that uses radiofrequency (RF) and microneedling to remodel tissues and tighten skin. The treatment involves inserting tiny needles into the skin to deliver RF energy deep into the tissue. This stimulates collagen and elastin production, which improves, tightens, and firms the skin while reducing the appearance of cellulite.

What Problem Areas Does Morpheus8 Treat?

Morpheus8 can treat cellulite and loose skin on the thighs, belly, hips, and buttocks. These areas are often prone to developing cellulite due to factors such as genetics, hormonal changes, and weight fluctuations.

Morpheus8: At a Glance

Discomfort: Little to Some

Your aesthetician should apply topical numbing agents to prevent pain, but some people are extra sensitive to the procedure.

Ideal for: People with mild to moderate cellulite or who want to rejuvenate their skin.

Cost: $$-$$$

Evoke: Defeat the Double Chin 

Tired of hiding your double chin behind scarves and high-necked clothing? (True, we Minnesotans can get away with extra clothes for more of the year than most.) Evoke is a much-loved contouring technology that specifically targets stubborn fat in the chin and neck area.

How Does Evoke Work?

Evoke uses radiofrequency energy to heat up the skin and underlying fat cells in the targeted area. This causes the fat cells to break down and be eliminated by the body's natural processes. At the same time, the heat stimulates collagen production, which tightens and firms the skin for a more youthful appearance.

What Areas Does Evoke Treat?

Evoke treats submental fullness, also known as a double chin. This is a common problem that can be caused by genetics, weight gain, or aging. Evoke can also treat jowls and improve overall facial contouring by reducing sagging skin in the neck area.

Evoke: At a Glance

Discomfort: Little to none

Ideal for: People who want to get rid of their double chin or jowls without surgery or downtime

Price: $$-$$$

Sofwave: Say Sayonara to Sagging Skin

Sofwave is the absolute latest, number-one beauty craze. It currently dominates the beauty industry awards and beauty column editorials. It’s most often used on the face and neck, but you can use it to treat sagging skin on the buttocks or thighs as well.

How Does Sofwave Work?

Sofwave is similar to (but better than) Ultherapy. These treatments use high-frequency ultrasound waves to penetrate deep into the skin's layers, stimulating collagen production and tightening loose skin. The treatment is painless and requires no downtime, making it an ideal option for those with busy schedules who want to see results quickly.

What Areas Does Sofwave Treat?

Sofwave is most effective at treating fine lines and wrinkles, sagging skin under the chin, and cellulite in the thighs and buttocks.

Sofwave: At a Glance

Discomfort: Little

You will experience heat, but numbing creams should keep you comfortable.

Ideal for: People with loose skin, wrinkles, or cellulite on the thighs or buttocks. 

Price: $$$

The Importance of Diet, Exercise, and Hydration

The body sculpting results we get at our clinic are frankly unbelievable. That said, we’d never suggest that body contouring should replace necessary health maintenance. 

Take care of yourself with proper diet and exercise. It’s the only way to both look and feel your best in the long term. And if you need a little help, contact us to inquire about weight-loss coaching and personal training. 

As for hydration, drink more water. Then drink some more! Not only will your skin and muscles thank you, but you also need plenty of water to flush out the fat we shake loose.

When Should I Consider Body Sculpting Surgery?

You can do so much without going under the knife that many prefer not to undergo the expense and risk of plastic surgery. Body sculpting post care is easy, and there's virtually no recovery process. But that doesn’t mean that surgery is never the answer.

If you suffer from clinically severe obesity or want the most dramatic body remodeling possible in a single treatment, surgical options may be more appropriate. Please consult with a qualified professional who can assess your individual needs and recommend the best course of action for achieving your desired results.

The Bottom Line for Bottoms and Other Body Parts

We’re excited to start this journey with you. You have so many options, and we’d love to help you come up with a custom plan to meet your beauty goals — whatever they are.

So if you’re looking for world-class body sculpting “near me,” book your consultation today! The only thing you have to lose at our Minneapolis medspa is some fat and cellulite.