A fit woman sitting gracefully in a neutral-toned outfit, showcasing toned legs and abdomen; ideal for highlighting non-surgical fat reduction treatments.

Jan 22 2025

Kybella vs Coolsculpting vs. Emsculpt Neo Introduction to Non-Surgical Fat Reduction

Enhance your natural beauty with three of our premiere non-surgical fat reduction options, Kybella, Coolsculpting, and Emsculpt NEO. Kybella, Coolsculpting, and Emsculpt result in permanent fat reduction for stubborn areas resistant to diet and exercise through different mechanisms. Kybella typically works best on smaller, specific areas while CoolSculpting targets broader problem areas. Emsculpt reduces fat but additionally builds muscle mass up to 25% and is the equivalent to a high-intensity workout. Depending on your goals, you may be a better candidate for CoolSculpting, Emsculpt NEO, or Kybella, but the procedures can also work together as Kybella pairs well with Emsculpt NEO and CoolSculpting. 

What are the main differences between Kybella, CoolSculpting, and Emsculpt Neo?

Fat Freezing (CoolSculpting) vs. Injectable Enzyme (Kybella)
vs. Radiofrequency Sculpting and Toning (Emsculpt Neo)

For larger areas of fat, it is best to start with Coolsculpting. CoolSculpting® is a groundbreaking non-surgical fat reduction treatment that uses controlled cooling to eliminate stubborn fat cells. For CoolSculpting, a patient must have grabbable, pinchable fat. Coolsculpting uses cryolipolysis, a process that freezes fat cells. The extreme cold causes the fat cells to crystallize and die.  CoolSculpting can get various areas of the body where stubborn fat tends to accumulate. Common areas treated by CoolSculpting are the abdomen (ideal for reducing belly fat and love handles), flanks (“muffin top” reduction and love handle areas), thighs (inner and outer fat reduction), upper arms (“bat wings”), back bulges and bra fat, chin and neck, underneath the buttocks, and male chest (effective for reducing gynecomastia in men.) 

Kybella is considered an injectable enzyme that gets rid of smaller, more precise fat areas permanently. Uses deoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring molecule in the body that breaks down dietary fat. Once injected, Kybella destroys fat cells in the treated area, which are then metabolized and eliminated by the body over time. Kybella is best for small, targeted areas like a double chin (contours and defines the jawline), flanks (or love handle reduction), upper arms (bat wing reduction), inner thighs to improve contour, bra area fat (for back contour and upper torso), back fat areas resistant to diet and exercise (for a sleeker silhouette), and even knees. 

Emsculpt NEO offers non-invasive body sculpting that boosts muscle mass and reduces both subcutaneous and visceral fat without surgery or downtime. These advanced treatments effectively reshape your body while promoting muscle growth, the key to long-term vitality. Emsculpt uses HIFEM (High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic technology) to create supramaximal muscle contractions. The device induces thousands of powerful muscle contractions, equivalent to doing 20,000 squats or sit-ups. Emsculpt NEO is best known for treating fat reduction and muscle building in the abdomen (ideal for achieving a more defined six-pack and reducing stubborn belly fat), buttocks (perfect for non-surgical butt lifting and toning), arms (effective for toning and sculpting the biceps and triceps), thighs (great for inner and outer toning and contouring, as well as strengthening ham strings and quads), and even your calves (helps define and shape calf muscles.)

How does Kybella compare to CoolSculpting and Emsculpt in terms of effectiveness and results?

CoolSculpting, Kybella, and Emsculpt NEO all offer solutions resulting in permanent fat reduction. If you are looking for fat reduction, oftentimes patients will do Coolsculpting for larger areas, then begin Kybella for the precise, specific areas after Coolsculpting. Emsculpt NEO offers fat reduction combined with muscle toning and strengthening. The added muscle toning offers a contoured, fit look. It is perfect for the same fat reduction results for those also looking to build muscle mass or simply in doing so, have a more contoured and toned look. Once the treated fat cells are gone, they’re gone for good. However, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial to preserve all results, as remaining fat cells can still enlarge with weight gain. 

Who is an ideal candidate for Kybella? Who is an ideal candidate for CoolSculpting? What is the difference between a treatment like CoolSculpting versus EmSculpt NEO?

Kybella candidates often have more precise problem areas, such as underarm fat or bat wings. Whereas CoolSculpting targets larger areas. If you have a desire for overall fat reduction and then would like to target very precise areas after CoolSculpting results, often patients will do CoolSculpting and then after utilizing the precision of Kybella.

Emsculpt NEO is also a treatment for fat reduction but can also build up to 25% of muscle mass under the principle to work out smarter, not harder. Emsculpt and Kybella candidates are typically avid fitness individuals but have proven, noticeable results no matter what shape an individual is in. Emsculpt, unlike CoolSculpting not only reduces fat but also builds muscle and is the equivalent of doing 20,000 sit-ups or squats over the course of 30 minutes.

What should I expect during and after a CoolSculpting treatment session?

During a CoolSculpting procedure, the applicator is carefully placed on the targeted area, where it delivers controlled cooling to the fat layer beneath the skin. This process crystallizes (freezes) the fat cells in the treated area without harming the surrounding tissue. Over time, your body naturally processes and eliminates the dead fat cells, resulting in a slimmer and more contoured appearance in the treated area. 

Each CoolSculpting treatment can take 35-60 minutes. The number of treatments needed for Coolsculpting can vary. Some patients are satisfied with their results after one treatment, while others may opt for additional sessions to achieve their desired outcome. Many patients are extremely comfortable during their sessions and often bring their laptop, read a book, or even take a nap. The patient will feel no pain, CoolSculpting requires no anesthesia, and once the session is over you can return to your day normally without any required downtime. 

What should I expect during and after a Kybella treatment session? 

Patients may receive numbing cream or local anesthesia to enhance comfort during the procedure. The technique used for Kybella™ injections is similar to that of other cosmetic injectables like BOTOX®, Juvederm®, and Restylane®. The injectables unlike Botox do result in some light burning sensations, and similarly can cause some bruising which you can cover with makeup. Some swelling may occur lasting up to two weeks for cosmetic recovery time. However, typically patients are able to go about their day-to-day errands after receiving the treatment.

Each Kybella treatment takes 20-30 minutes to administer on average. On average patients come in for 2-6 treatments.

What should I expect during and after an Emsculpt NEO treatment session?

During an Emsculpt treatment at Supriya Aesthetic Dermatology, the device is applied to the targeted area while you relax in one of our private treatment rooms.

The procedure is non-invasive, requiring no anesthesia or downtime. Most patients compare the sensation to an intense muscle contraction, like a vigorous workout. The treatment takes just 30 minutes, and initially, our offices recommend administering Emsculpt NEO once a week for the first four weeks, and a 5th treatment a month later. Maintenance can continue as desired, typically the treatment windows are every 3-10 days.

With all the non-invasive fat reduction treatments, it is important to come visit us at Supriya Aesthetic Dermatology for a consultation to discuss whether CoolSculpting, Kybella, Emsculpt Neo or a combination of multiple techniques is the most suitable treatment for each patient’s needs. Non-surgical fat reduction offers a safe and effective way to achieve lasting results without the need for surgery. We are now offering complimentary consultations with three of our medical professionals, Sarah Fitzgerald (NP-C), Jackie Sullivan (NP-C) and Renée Ali Samhoul (BC PA).

Jan 23 2025

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Dec 06 2024

Laser hair removal is one of our favorite (and most effective) ways to reduce unwanted hair at Supriya Aesthetic Dermatology, offering long-term results and smooth skin. However, the effectiveness of

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