User rating: 37% said "worth it"*
Average price: $2,350*
How it works: This body contouring method turns the heat up a notch compared to SculpSure. Rather than employ lasers, Liposonix uses high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) -- or sound waves -- to melt fat. "It gets quite a bit hotter than SculpSure, so that's why a majority of patients find this method to be much more painful. But it kills fat cells immediately," says Bass.
Who should try it: People looking to lose two to three inches, want results more quickly and aren't afraid of some discomfort.
Pros: It kills fat cells immediately and the procedure only takes an hour (I say "only" with caution). This method requires just one treatment, as it can tend to several areas (ex. stomach and love handles) at once, and there is zero down time.
Cons: It's ten degrees hotter than SculpSure and can be uncomfortable, or even painful for some patients.
Average price: $2,350*
How it works: This body contouring method turns the heat up a notch compared to SculpSure. Rather than employ lasers, Liposonix uses high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) -- or sound waves -- to melt fat. "It gets quite a bit hotter than SculpSure, so that's why a majority of patients find this method to be much more painful. But it kills fat cells immediately," says Bass.
Who should try it: People looking to lose two to three inches, want results more quickly and aren't afraid of some discomfort.
Pros: It kills fat cells immediately and the procedure only takes an hour (I say "only" with caution). This method requires just one treatment, as it can tend to several areas (ex. stomach and love handles) at once, and there is zero down time.
Cons: It's ten degrees hotter than SculpSure and can be uncomfortable, or even painful for some patients.
User rating: 91% said "worth it"*
Average price: $2,475*
How it works: UltraShape is another body contouring method that uses HIFU to get rid of stubborn fat. Essentially, ultrasound energy sends shockwaves that tear apart the fat cell walls, releasing the fat in the form of triglycerides, says New York-based cosmetic dermatologist Paul Jarrod Frank, M.D.. The liver then processes those triglycerides, which are then eliminated from the body naturally. Doctors recommend patients have three treatments over the course of two weeks.
Who should try it: Post-partum moms and those looking to reduce a small pooch or other areas of fat, like love handles, arm fat or knee fat. Doctors report patients losing up to four and a half inches of fat.*
Pros: The procedure only takes an hour and is completely painless. Patients also report seeing results sooner than the typical six-week mark. One user even claims she noticed changes just 18 days after her procedure.
Cons: Some patients reported the heat made them "uncomfortable," but nothing unbearable. It's not a one-and-done treatment -- you'll need three treatments over two weeks.
Average price: $2,475*
How it works: UltraShape is another body contouring method that uses HIFU to get rid of stubborn fat. Essentially, ultrasound energy sends shockwaves that tear apart the fat cell walls, releasing the fat in the form of triglycerides, says New York-based cosmetic dermatologist Paul Jarrod Frank, M.D.. The liver then processes those triglycerides, which are then eliminated from the body naturally. Doctors recommend patients have three treatments over the course of two weeks.
Who should try it: Post-partum moms and those looking to reduce a small pooch or other areas of fat, like love handles, arm fat or knee fat. Doctors report patients losing up to four and a half inches of fat.*
Pros: The procedure only takes an hour and is completely painless. Patients also report seeing results sooner than the typical six-week mark. One user even claims she noticed changes just 18 days after her procedure.
Cons: Some patients reported the heat made them "uncomfortable," but nothing unbearable. It's not a one-and-done treatment -- you'll need three treatments over two weeks.
User rating: 71% said "worth it"*
Average price: $2,325*
How it works: Like most other body sculpting procedures, Vanquish uses a radio frequency to shock fat cells by use of heat. "It's almost like sitting in front of a radiator for an hour," says Frank. "It uses those radio frequencies to heat up and melt the fat. There's [credible] science behind it, but it's not as widely used as others -- though many patients have seen results."
Who should try it: Someone who's had liposuction in the past or has recently lost weight. This procedure is also primarily used to treat the abdomen.
Pros: Vanquish takes only 45 minutes. It's painless and requires zero downtime.
Cons: This requires multiple treatments (four to six sessions) as it cannot treat all problems areas at once. Also, compared to other treatments, Vanquish's results are "subtle," says Frank.
Average price: $2,325*
How it works: Like most other body sculpting procedures, Vanquish uses a radio frequency to shock fat cells by use of heat. "It's almost like sitting in front of a radiator for an hour," says Frank. "It uses those radio frequencies to heat up and melt the fat. There's [credible] science behind it, but it's not as widely used as others -- though many patients have seen results."
Who should try it: Someone who's had liposuction in the past or has recently lost weight. This procedure is also primarily used to treat the abdomen.
Pros: Vanquish takes only 45 minutes. It's painless and requires zero downtime.
Cons: This requires multiple treatments (four to six sessions) as it cannot treat all problems areas at once. Also, compared to other treatments, Vanquish's results are "subtle," says Frank.
User rating: 80% said "worth it"*
Average price: $2,850*
How it works: This body contouring procedure uses low-level lasers to melt fat, paired with a post-laser massage to help further break down fat in treated areas. Paired with exercise and proper nutrition, a majority of patients say results are true to the claims.
Who should try it: People living an active and healthy lifestyle looking to get rid of their double chin, or one to two inches off their stomach.
Pros: This procedure is extremely quick (it only takes 40 minutes), and is 100 percent painless.
Cons: iLipo requires four to six treatments, so prepare to invest a bit of time.
Average price: $2,850*
How it works: This body contouring procedure uses low-level lasers to melt fat, paired with a post-laser massage to help further break down fat in treated areas. Paired with exercise and proper nutrition, a majority of patients say results are true to the claims.
Who should try it: People living an active and healthy lifestyle looking to get rid of their double chin, or one to two inches off their stomach.
Pros: This procedure is extremely quick (it only takes 40 minutes), and is 100 percent painless.
Cons: iLipo requires four to six treatments, so prepare to invest a bit of time.
User rating: 62% said "worth it"*
Average price: $1,075*
How it works: Velashape combines the use of radio frequencies, ultrasound waves and suction to reduce fat around the stomach, hip and thigh area. Essentially, the suction brings the fat closer to the surface of the skin, where the ultrasound waves begin to heat the area. The radio frequencies then distribute that heat evenly throughout your targeted problem area to speed up the process and reduce any damage that could be done to the skin.
Who should try it: Those looking to take off an inch or two, and reduce the appearance of cellulite around the stomach, hip and thigh region.
Pros: This procedure also helps to reduce the appearance of cellulite, due to reducing the volume of fat on the treated area. There is no down time and it's virtually painless.
Cons: This treatment requires between four to six sessions to zap problem areas.
Average price: $1,075*
How it works: Velashape combines the use of radio frequencies, ultrasound waves and suction to reduce fat around the stomach, hip and thigh area. Essentially, the suction brings the fat closer to the surface of the skin, where the ultrasound waves begin to heat the area. The radio frequencies then distribute that heat evenly throughout your targeted problem area to speed up the process and reduce any damage that could be done to the skin.
Who should try it: Those looking to take off an inch or two, and reduce the appearance of cellulite around the stomach, hip and thigh region.
Pros: This procedure also helps to reduce the appearance of cellulite, due to reducing the volume of fat on the treated area. There is no down time and it's virtually painless.
Cons: This treatment requires between four to six sessions to zap problem areas.