The rapidly growing body sculpting industry offers a wide range of treatments for enhancing your physique, from full-blown plastic surgeries to cutting-edge, noninvasive technology. While surgical options like liposuction or tummy tucks exist, they come with higher costs, longer recovery times, and greater risks. That’s why many clients turn to noninvasive solutions for noticeable results without the drawbacks.
So, how do you find the best body sculpting in Chicago for your goals and lifestyle? Let’s start by comparing two of the most popular nonsurgical treatments—Emsculpt NEO and CoolSculpting—to help you make an informed, confident decision.
Meet the Contenders: CoolSculpting vs. Emsculpt NEO
CoolSculpting and Emsculpt NEO are both popular treatments designed to enhance your body’s contours without needles or incisions. Despite sharing similar objectives, their approaches differ significantly.
CoolSculpting
CoolSculpting uses cryolipolysis to freeze fat cells, killing them and allowing your body to dispose of them naturally.
Emsculpt NEO
Emsculpt NEO uses radiofrequency (RF) energy to heat and destroy fat cells, which your body then naturally eliminates. Emsculpt NEO also releases high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) energy to promote muscle growth and create a more toned appearance.
Head-to-Head Comparison
To help you understand these devices, here’s a direct comparison regarding each of their fat reduction capabilities and treatment details.
Fat Reduction
Both CoolSculpting and Emsculpt NEO are effective at reducing fat. CoolSculpting typically results in a 20 to 25% reduction in fat, but it does not affect muscle size or strength. In contrast, Emsculpt NEO achieves up to a 30% reduction in fat while also increasing muscle size and strength by up to 25% and 29%, respectively.
Treatment Areas
Both CoolSculpting and Emsculpt NEO can treat your abdomen, flanks, thighs, and upper arms. CoolSculpting can also address back/bra fat and under your jawline, whereas Emsculpt NEO can also target your buttocks and calves.
Sensation, Downtime & Risks
CoolSculpting may involve pinching and numbness, while Emsculpt NEO feels like an intense workout. Neither of these treatments requires any downtime. Emsculpt NEO’s side effects are minimal, while CoolSculpting has rare but serious risks.
For example, CoolSculpting may cause paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH), causing your fat cells to grow instead of shrink. This condition usually needs to be fixed with corrective surgery, like liposuction.
Results Timeline
Emsculpt NEO clients generally see their peak results 3 months after their last treatment. In contrast, CoolSculpting clients attain final results approximately 4 to 6 months after the procedure.
| Category | Emsculpt NEO | CoolSculpting |
| Fat Reduction | Up to 30% | 20–25% |
| Muscle Effects | Increases muscle size by up to 25% and strength by 29% | No effect on muscle |
| Treatment Areas | Abdomen, flanks, thighs, upper arms, buttocks, calves | Abdomen, flanks, thighs, upper arms, back/bra fat, under jawline |
| Sensation | Feels like workout | Pinching, pulling, and numbness |
| Downtime | None | None |
| Risks | Minimal side effects | Rare but serious risks (e.g., paradoxical adipose hyperplasia) |
| Results Timeline | Peak results around 3 months post-treatment | Final results visible after 4–6 months |
Why We Chose Emsculpt NEO at Balanced Flow
At Balanced Flow, we choose to perform Emsculpt NEO for its muscle-building component and improved safety profile. It is a more complete treatment with a holistic view. Burning fat is great for quick aesthetic gains, but you need the muscle to improve function and long-term results.
Emsculpt NEO better aligns with our mission to offer smart, comprehensive care, delivering targeted noninvasive fat removal in addition to substantial muscle strengthening for enhanced body contouring results.
Consult an Expert to Find the Best Body Sculpting for You
Book a consultation to meet with a body sculpting expert at Balanced Flow. They can evaluate your body, goals, and lifestyle to find the best body sculpting in Chicago for you.
