How Much Does EmSculpt Cost?

• Emsculpt and Emsculpt Neo are nonsurgical body contouring procedures that eliminate fat cells and build muscle
• On average, a series of Emsculpt treatments costs $3,000
• Many providers offer package deals or payment plans to make Emsculpt more affordable

Emsculpt and Emsculpt Neo are noninvasive body contouring procedures that destroy fat cells and increase muscle strength. How much does Emsculpt cost? The answer depends on what part of the body is treated, how many sessions you purchase and more.

How Does Emsculpt Work?

During a session, the Emsculpt device cycles through three settings. First, applicators placed over the treatment area emit pulses of high-intensity focused electromagnetic energy (HIFEM). These pulses cause the targeted muscles to repeatedly contract, increasing their strength. 

Next, a different pulse rate kills fat cells, which are eventually metabolized and eliminated by the body. The last setting flushes out the lactic acid generated by the contractions to prevent the burning sensation that can accompany intense anaerobic exercise. These three phases are repeated several times during a session.

How Much Does Emsculpt Cost?

On average, a single 30-minute session costs from $750–$1,000. Most people undergo 3 or 4 sessions, so the average cost for a full Emsculpt treatment is around $3,000. Your total cost will depend on several variables.

What Affects the Cost of EmSculpt?

To determine where you’ll fall on the spectrum of costs, consider the following factors.

Number of sessions

Logically, the fewer Emsculpt sessions you undergo, the less your total treatment will cost. However, if you purchase a package for a certain number of sessions, each session will cost less than if purchased individually.

Treatment area

The greater the treatment area, the more expensive your session will be. Emsculpt is FDA-cleared for use on five areas of the body:

• Abdomen
• Buttocks
• Calves
• Thighs
• Upper arms

EmSculpt vs. Emsculpt Neo

There are two versions of Emsculpt on the market: Emsculpt and Emsculpt Neo. The original Emsculpt debuted in 2018 and emits HIFEM energy.

Emsculpt Neo, a new iteration of the device, has the added benefit of emitting radiofrequency (RF) energy along with HIFEM energy. The RF energy converts to heat inside the body, which increases blood supply to the muscles and helps them work harder. Simultaneously, it breaks down fat more quickly than with HIFEM alone.  

Because Emsculpt Neo is newer and considered more effective, it can be up to 50% more expensive than traditional Emsculpt. However, if you have a normal BMI and want to shed a thin layer of fat and increase muscle strength, the original Emsculpt is still an effective option. 

If you have a BMI of 30–35 and are looking to achieve significant fat reduction, Emsculpt Neo may be more effective. Its RF pulses burn fat more quickly than HIFEM alone, and while not FDA-approved for this purpose, it’s been shown to induce skin tightening – which may help prevent loose skin caused by rapid fat loss.

Your provider

Emsculpt is usually offered at medspas and by plastic surgeons. The more established and reputable your provider is, the more expensive they may be.

Geographic location

Prices for medical aesthetic services tend to be more expensive in large metropolises. If you’re in a rural area, you’ll typically pay less.

Is EmSculpt Covered by Insurance?

Emsculpt is considered a cosmetic procedure and as such, is not covered by health insurance. However, if it’s recommended by a doctor to help you build muscle strength lost due to illness or injury, you may be able to use funds from a Health Savings Account – a tax-free savings account used for medical expenses. 

EmSculpt Payment Plans

To improve the affordability of treatment, many providers offer Emsculpt financing or payment plans. These are typically administered by healthcare credit cards such as CareCredit and GreenSky, which offer low or no interest rates for financing cosmetic procedures.

Is Emsculpt Worth It?

In general, Emsculpt has a high satisfaction rate among patients. In one study, patients reported an 85% improvement in satisfaction regarding the tone and lift of their buttocks after four treatments. 

Another study measuring fat reduction and muscle thickening in the abdomen and buttocks reported that 100% of patients were satisfied with their results 8 weeks after treatment.

Are results permanent?

While data is limited, Emsculpt treatments do have longevity. One small study found that 6 months post treatment, patients showed continued improvement in abdominal muscle thickness. 

While the patients had regained some abdominal fat after 6 months, they still had significantly less than before treatment.

Although no studies have observed Emsculpt patients for longer than 6 months, it’s commonly understood that the longevity of your results depend on how you care for your body post treatment.

Once a fat cell has been destroyed, it can’t grow back. However, if you gain weight, fat cells in the treated area may grow larger and reverse the effects of your treatment. Similarly, the muscle-building effects of Emsculpt can be maintained with regular exercise; if you don’t work out or stimulate your muscles, they’ll gradually return to their original state.

Side effects

Emsculpt has an excellent safety profile and requires no downtime. The only observed side effects are muscle soreness the day after a session and feeling hungrier than usual due to the high number of calories burned during treatment.

Emsculpt Cost vs. Other Noninvasive Body Contouring Procedures

Several other devices use energy-based technologies to strengthen muscle tissue, reduce fat or both.

TruSculpt Flex uses electrical muscle stimulation to simulate an intense workout for the abdominal muscles and various muscle groups in the arms, buttocks and legs. A TruSculpt Flex session costs between $800 and $1,300, depending on the number of areas being treated.

TruSculpt iD is a radiofrequency-powered treatment that reduces cellulite and stubborn fat anywhere on the body while also firming the skin. It can cost anywhere from $300–$1,800, also depending on the number of areas being treated.

CoolSculpting gets rid of unwanted fat anywhere on the body, including the face, neck and chin. It lowers the temperature of fat cells until they die off and are naturally eliminated from the body. A single treatment usually costs between $700 and $1,000. 

A free consultation at a medspa can help you decide whether Emsculpt or another treatment is best for you.

Takeaway

Emsculpt and Emsculpt Neo are noninvasive body sculpting procedures that use HIFEM and radiofrequency energy to burn fat and build muscle. 

A single session of Emsculpt costs from $750–$1000, and most people pay about $3,000 for a complete series of 3–4 treatments. Emsculpt Neo, which is recommended for people with a BMI of 30–35, is up to 50% more expensive.

Emsculpt isn’t covered by insurance, but most providers offer financing to make treatment more affordable.

How long your results last depends on whether you can maintain your current weight and follow an exercise regimen to maintain muscle tone. 

Potential alternatives to Emsculpt are TruSculpt iD, TruSculpt Flex and CoolSculpting. These treatments range from $300–$1,800 per session.