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Dr. Sachin M. Shridharani is a renowned, Manhattan-based plastic surgeon, board-certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery and founder of LUXURGERY – the confluence of luxury and aesthetic surgery. Haute Beauty chats with Dr. Shridharani about CoolTone, the latest technology to effortlessly blast fat and build muscle.  

HB: What the CoolTone is and how it works?

CoolTone uses high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) technology, a non-invasive solution for improving muscle tone, definition, and strength. HIFEM devices (EMSCULPT®, BTL Industries, Boston, MA; CoolTone™, Allergan Inc., Westlake Village, CA) utilize a focused electromagnetic field to induce the depolarization of motor neurons and trigger non-voluntary muscle contractions in the region of application. Doctor speak for: no needles, no cutting, no blood…muscles working out!

HB: Do you prefer it to other methods?

As patient demand for surgical alternatives continues to increase, non-surgical body contouring procedures are invariably among the most requested treatments. There are several available non-invasive, energy-based procedures that aim to reduce unwanted fat tissue (e.g. radiofrequency, low level laser therapy, ultrasound, cryolipolysis). These procedures, however, require patients with well-defined bulges for successful treatment and are thus limited in the extent to which they are able to improve body shape. Many patients, particularly those with minimal or mild subcutaneous fat, are interested in body contouring but are not appropriate candidates for targeted fat loss. HIFEM technology is the first and only treatment modality that aims to improve muscle tone and definition by targeting muscle tissue rather than adipose tissue. Basically, these treatments are the gold standard to get shredded!

HB:  Who is a good candidate?

Patients who are maybe not the best cosmetic candidates for CoolTone because they have subcutaneous fat over the muscle will get a functional benefit. Already thin patients that don’t have much muscle tone or definition but want it are great candidates for the muscle stimulating treatment. Combination treatment is often ideal for cosmetic patients who are aesthetic perfectionists and are focused on minimal fat and a sculpted look. Dr. Shridharani might use off-label Kybella to melt away the fat over a portion of the abdomen, followed by CoolTone to improve muscle quality and get a better outcome.

HB: How does the procedure/treatment work?

HIFEM devices utilize a focused electromagnetic field to induce the depolarization of motor neurons and trigger non-voluntary muscle contractions in the region of application. Say what?! The rapid delivery of electromagnetic pulses to muscle tissue prevents the muscle fibers from entering a relaxation phase, thereby inducing high-tension muscle contractions known as supramaximal contractions, triggering approximately 20,000 muscle contractions per 30-minute session. Under these high-stress conditions, the muscle tissue is forced to adapt and responds by remodeling its inner structure, resulting in the growth of existing muscle fibers (hypertrophy) and an increase in the number of muscle fibers (hyperplasia). 

Consequently, the stimulated muscles demonstrate increased thickness and strength. In addition to its effects on muscle tissue, HIFEM stimulation demonstrates a secondary effect on adipose tissue. Similar to the fat breakdown observed during intensive resistance training, the induction of supramaximal contractions generates an increase in metabolic activity which, subsequently, leads to the apoptosis of adipocytes in the region of treatment. As a result, the stimulated region shows a reduction in the thickness of subcutaneous adipose tissue. Thus, HIFEM devices deliver a regional effect that is twofold — an increase in muscle mass and a reduction of subcutaneous fat. 

HB:  What does recovery look like?

Recovery is very straightforward and easy. Think of it like recovering from a solid work out. Remember a single session on your abs is like doing thousands of crunches. Treating the glutes…think about the recovery from your “squats day.” The treatments are performed in sessions. My patients undergo 4-6 treatments spaced 3 days apart. Then, they come back a few times a year to maintain the results along with a healthy lifestyle.