CoolSculpting eliminates fat cells, while EmSculpt builds muscle and burns fat. If your main concern is stubborn fat bulges that will not respond to diet and exercise, CoolSculpting is the better choice. If you want more muscle definition, a stronger core, or a lifted appearance, EmSculpt is ideal. For the best body contouring results, many patients combine both treatments to eliminate fat and build muscle simultaneously. At Adult and Pediatric Dermatology in Forest Hills, Queens, we call this dual approach “The Perfect Combination” because it addresses body contouring comprehensively in a way that neither treatment can achieve alone.
Both treatments are FDA-cleared, non-invasive, and require no downtime. You can return to normal activities immediately after either procedure. Understanding what each treatment does helps you choose the right option for your body goals.
CoolSculpting vs EmSculpt: Key Differences at a Glance
The fundamental difference between these treatments comes down to what they target.
CoolSculpting targets fat. It uses controlled cooling (cryolipolysis) to freeze and destroy fat cells. Your body then naturally eliminates these dead cells over the following weeks. Each treatment reduces fat in the treated area by 20 to 25 percent. The fat cells are permanently eliminated and do not return.
EmSculpt targets muscle. It uses high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) technology to contract your muscles 20,000 times in a 30-minute session. This is equivalent to doing 20,000 crunches or squats. The intense contractions force muscles to adapt, building mass and definition. EmSculpt also reduces fat by approximately 19 percent as a secondary benefit.
CoolSculpting is passive. You relax during the treatment while the device cools the fat. There is no physical exertion required.
EmSculpt is active. Your muscles are contracting intensely throughout the treatment. You will feel your muscles working, though you are not consciously controlling the contractions.
Both require no downtime. You can drive yourself home and return to work or normal activities immediately after either treatment.
How CoolSculpting Works
CoolSculpting eliminates fat through a scientifically proven process called cryolipolysis. Fat cells are more sensitive to cold than surrounding tissues, which allows the treatment to destroy fat while leaving skin, muscle, and nerves unharmed.
During treatment, a specialized applicator suctions the targeted fat bulge between two cooling panels. The device lowers the temperature to a precise point where fat cells crystallize and die. Over the following weeks, your body’s lymphatic system naturally processes and flushes out these dead fat cells as waste.
Each CoolSculpting treatment reduces fat in the treated area by 20 to 25 percent. Results appear gradually over four to twelve weeks as your body eliminates the frozen fat cells. Full results are typically visible by three months, with continued improvement for up to six months.
The fat cells eliminated by CoolSculpting are gone permanently. They do not regenerate. As long as you maintain a stable weight, your results last indefinitely.
“CoolSculpting is an FDA-cleared body contouring treatment that eliminates fat by freezing the fat cells,” explains Dr. Michael Paltiel, Board-Certified Dermatologist at Adult and Pediatric Dermatology. “The science behind it is cryolipolysis. Fat cells are highly sensitive to cold, more so than other tissues. Once those fat cells are destroyed, they do not return.”
How EmSculpt Works
EmSculpt builds muscle and reduces fat through high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) technology. The device generates electromagnetic pulses that cause supramaximal muscle contractions, contractions far more intense than you could achieve through voluntary exercise.
During a 30-minute EmSculpt session, your muscles contract approximately 20,000 times. This is equivalent to doing 20,000 crunches, squats, or bicep curls depending on the treatment area. These intense contractions force your muscles to adapt by building new muscle fibers and strengthening existing ones.
EmSculpt increases muscle mass by approximately 16 percent on average. It also reduces fat in the treated area by approximately 19 percent as a secondary effect, since the intense muscle activity burns energy and triggers fat metabolism.
Results from EmSculpt appear within two to four weeks after your final session. Most patients complete a series of four sessions spaced two to three days apart. Unlike CoolSculpting, where results are permanent, EmSculpt results require maintenance. Just as gym results fade if you stop exercising, EmSculpt muscle gains need periodic maintenance sessions or continued exercise to sustain.
Treatment Areas: Which Can Each Treat?
CoolSculpting and EmSculpt can treat some of the same areas, but CoolSculpting covers a wider range of body zones.
CoolSculpting FDA-cleared treatment areas:
- Abdomen (stomach)
- Flanks (love handles)
- Double chin (submental area)
- Under the jawline
- Inner thighs
- Outer thighs
- Upper arms
- Back fat
- Bra fat
- Banana roll (under the buttocks)
EmSculpt FDA-cleared treatment areas:
- Abdomen
- Buttocks
- Arms (biceps and triceps)
- Thighs
- Calves
The key difference is that CoolSculpting can treat areas where muscle building is not the goal, such as the double chin, bra fat, and back fat. EmSculpt is limited to areas where muscle enhancement makes sense anatomically.
For the abdomen and buttocks, both treatments are excellent options. The choice depends on whether you want to primarily reduce fat (CoolSculpting), build muscle (EmSculpt), or achieve both goals (combination treatment).
Who Should Choose CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting is the right choice if your primary concern is eliminating stubborn fat.
Choose CoolSculpting if: You have visible fat bulges that will not respond to diet and exercise. Those love handles, belly pooch, or double chin that refuse to budge despite your best efforts are perfect targets for CoolSculpting.
You are close to your ideal body weight but have problem areas. CoolSculpting works best for patients within 20 to 30 pounds of their goal weight who want to refine and contour specific areas.
You want permanent fat reduction. Unlike weight loss through diet, which shrinks fat cells but leaves them in place, CoolSculpting eliminates fat cells entirely. Those cells cannot return.
You are not focused on building muscle. If you simply want a slimmer appearance without necessarily increasing muscle tone, CoolSculpting alone may be sufficient.
You want to treat areas EmSculpt cannot reach. For double chin, back fat, bra fat, or banana rolls, CoolSculpting is your only non-surgical fat reduction option.
Who Should Choose EmSculpt?
EmSculpt is the right choice if your primary concern is building muscle and achieving definition.
Choose EmSculpt if: You want more defined abs or a lifted buttock. EmSculpt builds the muscle that creates visible definition. If you want a six-pack appearance or a non-surgical butt lift, EmSculpt can help.
You exercise regularly but cannot achieve the muscle tone you want. Even dedicated gym-goers sometimes struggle to build certain muscle groups. EmSculpt provides supramaximal contractions that standard exercise cannot match.
You want to strengthen your core. Beyond aesthetics, EmSculpt builds functional muscle strength. Patients often report improved posture and core stability after treatment.
You have minimal fat but lack muscle definition. If you are already lean but your muscles are not as defined as you would like, EmSculpt can build the definition you are missing.
You want a complement to your fitness routine. EmSculpt accelerates muscle building beyond what exercise alone can achieve, making it popular among fitness enthusiasts who want to maximize their results.
Why Combine CoolSculpting and EmSculpt for Best Results
For many patients, combining CoolSculpting and EmSculpt delivers results that neither treatment can achieve alone. This is why we call the combination “The Perfect Combination” at Adult and Pediatric Dermatology.
CoolSculpting removes the fat layer. When you have a layer of fat covering your muscles, even strong, well-developed muscles will not be visible. CoolSculpting eliminates this fat layer so your muscles can show through.
EmSculpt builds and defines the muscles underneath. Once the fat layer is reduced, EmSculpt creates the muscle definition that gives you a toned, sculpted appearance.
Together, they create transformation. The combination addresses both components of body contouring: reducing what you do not want (fat) and building what you do want (muscle). Patients who invest in both treatments typically see significantly more dramatic results than those who choose just one.
The stomach is the perfect example. Many patients want visible abs. CoolSculpting alone will make your stomach slimmer by reducing fat, but it will not create muscle definition. EmSculpt alone will strengthen your abs, but a fat layer may hide the results. Combining both treatments removes the fat AND builds the muscle, creating the defined, athletic stomach appearance that requires both components.
The buttocks benefit similarly. CoolSculpting can reduce the banana roll fat beneath the buttocks, while EmSculpt lifts and tones the glute muscles. Together, they create a more sculpted, lifted rear that neither treatment achieves alone.
During your consultation, we can assess your goals and recommend whether CoolSculpting, EmSculpt, or the combination will best achieve what you want.
CoolSculpting vs EmSculpt: Results Comparison
Understanding what results to expect helps you choose the right treatment.
CoolSculpting results:
- 20 to 25 percent fat reduction per treatment
- Visible changes in 4 to 6 weeks
- Full results by 12 weeks (3 months)
- Permanent elimination of treated fat cells
- Slimmer appearance in treated areas
- Clothes fit better
EmSculpt results:
- 16 percent average increase in muscle mass
- 19 percent average reduction in fat
- Visible muscle tone improvement in 2 to 4 weeks after final session
- Peak results about 4 weeks after completing treatment series
- Requires maintenance sessions or continued exercise to sustain
- More defined, athletic appearance
Combination results:
- Both fat reduction and muscle building
- More dramatic transformation than either treatment alone
- Sculpted, toned appearance
- Visible definition in treated areas
CoolSculpting vs EmSculpt: Treatment Timeline
The treatment process differs between CoolSculpting and EmSculpt.
CoolSculpting timeline: Each session takes 35 to 60 minutes per treatment area. Most patients need one to three sessions per area, depending on how much fat they want to eliminate. Sessions are typically spaced four to six weeks apart to allow your body time to process the treated fat cells. Results develop gradually over three to six months.
EmSculpt timeline: Each session takes 30 minutes. Most patients complete four sessions spaced two to three days apart over a two-week period. Results appear within two to four weeks after the final session. Maintenance sessions every few months help sustain muscle gains.
Combination timeline: When combining treatments, we typically recommend completing CoolSculpting first to reduce the fat layer, then following up with EmSculpt to build muscle definition. This sequence allows you to see the fat reduction results before adding muscle building, though the order can be adjusted based on your goals and schedule.
CoolSculpting vs EmSculpt: Cost Comparison
Both treatments represent an investment in your body contouring goals.
CoolSculpting cost: A full CoolSculpting treatment plan typically costs $2,000 to $4,000, depending on the number of areas treated and sessions needed. Individual sessions range from $600 to $1,500 per area.
EmSculpt cost: A typical EmSculpt treatment plan (four sessions) costs $3,000 to $4,000. Individual sessions range from $750 to $1,000.
Combination cost: Combining both treatments obviously costs more than either alone, but many practices offer package pricing for patients who want comprehensive body contouring.
During your consultation, we provide personalized pricing based on your goals and treatment plan. We also offer payment plans and financing options to make these treatments more accessible.
CoolSculpting and EmSculpt at Adult and Pediatric Dermatology in Queens
At Adult and Pediatric Dermatology in Forest Hills, we specialize in comprehensive body contouring using both CoolSculpting and EmSculpt. Our ability to offer both treatments, and to combine them strategically, sets us apart from practices that offer only one option.
Why patients choose us: Dr. Michael Paltiel leads our practice as a Board-Certified Dermatologist who trained at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. With over 20 years of experience, he brings medical expertise to every treatment plan.
We use the latest technology for both treatments. CoolSculpting Elite features dual applicators that treat two areas simultaneously. EmSculpt delivers optimal muscle stimulation for maximum results.
We provide personalized consultations to determine whether CoolSculpting, EmSculpt, or our “Perfect Combination” approach will best achieve your goals.
Our team includes board-certified medical professionals who understand anatomy and can optimize treatment for your unique body.
First-time patients receive 10% off their first CoolSculpting treatment with promo code AP10.
Our Forest Hills location serves patients throughout Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the greater NYC area.
We maintain a 4.7-star rating from over 1,000 Google reviews.
“Amazing service, very professional and experienced,” shares one Google reviewer. Another writes, “Very clean facility. Very thorough physician. Great bedside manner. Listened to my concerns. Recommended.”
Schedule your consultation to learn which treatment, or combination of treatments, will best help you achieve your body contouring goals.
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Frequently Asked Questions About CoolSculpting vs EmSculpt
Can I do CoolSculpting and EmSculpt at the same time?
Yes. Many patients combine both treatments for comprehensive body contouring. We typically recommend completing CoolSculpting first to reduce fat, then following up with EmSculpt to build muscle. The treatments can sometimes be performed on the same day if treating different body areas.
Which treatment costs more?
Costs are similar. A full CoolSculpting plan typically ranges from $2,000 to $4,000, while a standard EmSculpt series (four sessions) costs $3,000 to $4,000. The best value often comes from combination packages for patients who want both treatments.
How many sessions of each do I need?
CoolSculpting typically requires one to three sessions per treatment area. EmSculpt typically requires four sessions over two weeks, with maintenance sessions every few months to sustain results.
Which treatment hurts more?
Neither treatment is painful. CoolSculpting feels intensely cold for the first few minutes before the area goes numb. EmSculpt feels like an intense muscle workout with strong contractions, but patients tolerate it well. Both treatments require no anesthesia.
How long do results last for each?
CoolSculpting results are permanent because eliminated fat cells do not regenerate. EmSculpt results require maintenance because muscle gains can fade without continued stimulation, similar to how gym results fade if you stop exercising.
Can EmSculpt replace going to the gym?
EmSculpt provides intense muscle stimulation, but it should complement rather than replace a healthy lifestyle. Patients who exercise and eat well see better and longer-lasting results from EmSculpt. The treatment accelerates muscle building but does not provide the cardiovascular or overall health benefits of regular exercise.
Disclaimer
Medically reviewed by Dr. Michael Paltiel, MD.
This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized recommendations.