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Introducing Muscle Stimulating Technology With the recent rise of muscle stimulating technology available on the market, Aesthetics explores the different devices currently available Strict diets and intense exercise regimes are no longer the only way for individuals to achieve a toned and sculpted body – contouring of the body is now a booming industry. According to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) annual member survey, its popularity is continuously growing amongst the public, having risen 43% from 2017 and quadrupling since 2012.1 Results of the survey indicated that for every one liposuction, there were more than 10 non-invasive body-sculpting treatments performed in the US. In a separate survey conducted by the ASDS, body sculpting was also ranked as the most common treatment that consumers were considering for three years running.2 Most clinics will be familiar with devices that aim to heat or cool fat tissue to achieve contouring results, but there is now new technology available that aims to simultaneously increase muscle mass and reduce fat. The technology in these devices aims to replicate the results of strength training workouts, with the application of such being shown to bypass the central and peripheral nervous system, directly stimulating motor neurons and allowing for full muscle contractions.3 This causes muscle hypertrophy, which works through three main processes; mechanical tension, metabolic stress, and muscle damage. Mechanical tension refers to the disruption of muscle structures. This results in metabolic stress causing muscle damage, which then leads to hypertrophic responses where the tissue is forced to adapt to the stress and develop the muscle.5 While electrical muscle stimulators (EMS) have previously been available for home purchase, these were designed to be attached and used as part of a daily workout to make already active muscles train harder. When having an in-clinic treatment, patients are not required to partake in any activity in order to achieve visible results. Manufacturers all state that there is no downtime required following treatment, with patients being able to immediately return to their normal routines. Here, we take a look at the devices that are currently available in the UK.
EMsculpt by BTL Aesthetics Before
After
Patient pictured four weeks after her fourth treatment of EMsculpt
What is EMsculpt? EMsculpt is cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to strengthen, firm and tone the abdomen, buttocks and thighs, using an electromagnetic field to simultaneously build muscle and cause fat cell disruption.6,7 High intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) technology penetrates through the skin aiming to impact fat, as well as muscle tissues. Once penetrated, the energy intends to induce supramaximal muscle contractions that are accompanied by a rapid metabolic reaction in fat cells. A study of 22
patients, each treated with four 30-minute sessions, were evaluated through an MRI scan after two months. Results indicated that abdominal fat thickness was reduced on average by 18.6% and abdominal muscle mass increased by 15.4%.6 The treatment takes 30 minutes and research indicates the devices replicates 20,000 crunches per session.7 The manufacturer recommends four treatments within a two-week period, spaced two or three days apart for optimum results. What are the benefits? A company-sponsored study of 33 EMsculpt patients found there was an average of 19% reduction in subcutaneous abdominal fat one month after treatment and a 23% reduction three months post treatment.7 Positive results are usually reported two to four weeks after the last session and continue to improve for several weeks following the treatment. What practitioners say: Dr Tracy Mountford said, “EMsculpt not only improves patients’ physiques aesthetically, but can also improve core and gluteal strength. By strengthening the gluteal muscle, we can help to strengthen and stabilise the hip area, whilst also improving back pain in pre-disposed individuals by strengthening the core. Not only can we deliver patients a treatment that offers an aesthetic improvement, but one that can also improve their physical health, strength and wellbeing.”
StimSure by Cynosure Before
After
Before and after the patient had a total of six StimSure treatments, two per week.
What is StimSure? StimSure provides an electromagnetic field that can engage the entire target muscle group. A prolonged contraction, made by a series of individual twitch contractions back to back, aims to create a ‘maximal tetanic contraction’ that results in more efficient growth of muscle fibres. Cynosure claims that StimSure is simple to operate, with a secure fixing belt. The device delivers up to 24,000 muscle contractions in 20 to 30 minutes and to acheive best results, Cynosure recommend six to eight treatments, twice a week.16 The applicators have one of the longest lifespans in the market, guaranteed for 10,000 treatments as they are oil cooled. What are the benefits? StimSure can be used to strengthen and tighten the abdominal, gluteal and thigh muscles, as well as to treat posture by correcting and strengthening core and back muscles. It can also be used to treat issues such as diastasis recti.8 What do practitioners say? Dr Joney de Souza said, “We begin our patients’ transformation with SculpSure for fat reduction, interspersed with StimSure sessions to deliver improved muscle tone and posture, before smoothing and tightening the skin using TempSure. So far, patient feedback on this methodology has been outstanding!”
Reproduced from Aesthetics | Volume 7/Issue 5 - April 2020
