Armed for Action: Emsculpt NEO for Toning the Upper Arms

High Intensity Focused Electromagnetic (HIFEM®) energy and radiofrequency (RF) energy have been shown, individually, to increase muscle thickness and reduce fat. Emsculpt NEO delivers HIFEM and RF energy in a single treatment using advanced technology that synchronizes pulse delivery to allow for comfortable and effective energy delivery.

The combination of HIFEM and RF energy has been shown to reduce fat and increase muscle.^1-3 In animal studies to assess the effects of synchronized delivery of HIFEM plus RF, muscle hypertrophy and hyperplasia were noted. There was a statistically significant 30 percent increase in muscle. This is comparable to what an individual can obtain with an intensive 12- to 16-week targeted exercise regimen. Importantly, there was no damage to the muscle. Muscle temperature was raised and maintained at a consistent 40-41 degrees Celsius, which is a safe range.⁴

I participated in a human study that showed that synchronized delivery of HIFEM plus RF to the abdominal area increased muscle within one month after treatment with continued improvement seen up to three months after treatment. Abdominal muscle thickness was increased by 25 percent.¹

Certainly, the combined benefit of fat reduction and increase in muscle is ideal for sculpting of the abdomen. However, the combination treatment has been applied to the thighs and buttocks, where the muscle building effects lead to an improvement in tone and provide a “lift.”

The upper arm is another anatomic area where patients desire increased muscle tone. Targeting the triceps can increase the thickness of these muscles while eliminating some of the fat that may accumulate in the area, creating a “sagging” appearance that patients dislike. As demonstrated in the cases shown, patients note an improvement in the apparent definition of the tricep muscles.

1. Jacob C, Kent D, Ibrahim O. Efficacy and Safety of Simultaneous Application of HIFEM and Synchronized Radiofrequency for Abdominal Fat Reduction and Muscle Toning: A Multicenter Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evaluation Study. Dermatol Surg. 2021;47(7):969-973.

2. Samuels JB, Weiss RA, Katz B. Radiofrequency Heating and HIFEM Delivered Simultaneously: The First Sham-Controlled Randomized Trial. Plast Reconstr Surg. In press

3. Palm M, Halaas Y, Kinney B et al. MRI Multicenter Study on High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic Procedure Simultaneously Combined with Synchronized Radiofrequency for Treatment of Lateral Thighs: Preliminary Data. Accepted at: ASDS 2021 Annual Meeting; November 19-21, 2021; Virtual Meeting.

4. Halaas Y, Duncan D, Bernardy J, Ondrackova P, Dinev I. Activation of Skeletal Muscle Satellite Cells by a Device Simultaneously Applying High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic Technology and Novel RF Technology: Fluorescent Microscopy Facilitated Detection of NCAM/CD56. Aesthet Surg J. 2021;41(7):NP939-NP947.