Set the tone

SET tone the

Electro-muscle stimulation is bang on trend. With a fleet of new devices hitting the market in recent months, we explore the capabilities of the technology and the latest machines available to salons and clinics

Electro-muscle stimulation (EMS) has come a long way since its previous heyday in the ’80s and ’90s. Back then, the muscle-building, fat-reduction technology was usually applied to heavy belts fixed with velcro designed to tone the wearer’s abdominal muscles, which claimed to have the same effects as an intense ab workout.

Now, leading manufacturers of non-invasive body-contouring devices have adopted and enhanced the basic concept of EMS to offer patients impressive results with no downtime and minimal to no discomfort during treatment.

A 2016 study by Wolfgang Kemmler et al (Effects of Whole-Body Electromyostimulation versus HighIntensity Resistance Exercise on Body Composition and Strength) compared the effects of 16 weeks’ wholebody EMS with high-intensity resistance exercise on body composition and strength, and observed “comparable or at least similar increases of muscle parameters” between the methods. The study’s authors concluded that EMS can be considered a time-efficient and effective option for people seeking to improve body composition.

Since then, many device manufacturers have had their own studies carried out, deonstrating results for a broader range of indications. A study on the Truesculpt Flex device, for example, recorded an average of 30% increase in muscle mass and a modest reduction in fat thickness 12 weeks after a course of up to six treatments, while a study for BTL’s EMSculpt showed an average 19% reduction in fat and 15.8% increase in muscle thickness a month after five to eight sessions.

Here’s what some of the aesthetic device brands and distributors have to offer when it comes to EMS.

EMSLIM

• Distributed by Harley Technologies and manufactured by

Dae Yang Medical • Uses high intensity electro-magnetic therapy (HI-EMT) • Uses a specific range of frequencies that doesn’t allow muscles to relax between two consecutive stimulations • Assisted by a physical training programme specially designed to maximise treatment stimulation • Has an optimised water-cooling system to ensure the device can be used effectively for a long period of time.

3D-LIPO POWERSCULPT

• Uses high-intensity focused electro-magnetic technology (HIFEM) • Seven different waveforms • Engages 100% of muscle fibre • One 30-minute treatment equivalent to 20,000 crunches or squats • No exercise required during treatment course, though clients advised to maintain a healthy lifestyle with aerobic or cardiovascular exercise • Treats arms, upper and lower abdomen, buttocks, legs and inner thighs • Can be used as a standalone treatment or to accelerate results of other body-contouring devices.

CACI SCULPT

• 20 pre-set treatment programmes for slimming, toning, contouring, lymphatic drainage and cellulite • Customisable applications for stomach, bust, arms, hands, legs, thighs and buttocks • Uses “muscle impulse stimulation” in short pulses through body conductive pads, positioned by the therapist • Bio feedback auto adjustment monitors and adjusts the electrical impulses to sync with the client’s heartbeat • Uses electrical impulses, specific frequencies and electrical waveforms to stimulate the trigger point of the muscle, activating muscle fibres to contract.

ADVANCED ESTHETICS SOLUTIONS LIPOFIRM PRO

• Manufactured by Pollogen • Uses “dynamic muscle activation” (DMA) blended with tripollar radiofrequency and TriLipo technology • Indicated for circumference reduction, cellulite reduction, lymphatic drainage and skin tightening • DMA targets different layers of muscles with electrical current applied directly through non-invasive electrodes, allowing intervals of stimulation and relaxation for effectively elevated muscle workload • Strength, duration and number of contractions can be controlled • Achieves increase in muscle density and volume.

CUTERA TRUSCULPT FLEX

• Works with “multi-directional stimulation” (MDS) • Can create personalised treatments based on clients’ individual goals, shape and fitness level • Three treatment modes – prep, tone and sculpt – that replicate intensified twisting, squat and crunch actions • Builds muscle endurance, increases core strength and boosts basal metabolic rate • Can treat eight areas simultaneously.

CYNOSURE STIMSURE

• Builds tone and muscle in the abdomen, buttocks and thighs • Delivers up to 24,000 muscle contractions in 20 to 30 minutes • Uses 1.0 tesla per applicator, creating an electromagnetic field that can engage the entire target muscle group • Four pre-set programmes • Clients can be treated through light clothing.

BTL EMSCULPT

• Developed after technology was shown to have positive results for muscle regeneration among sports players • Uses HIFEM technology to induce supramaximal muscle contractions, building muscle and burning fat • FDA-cleared • Treats abdomen, buttocks, biceps, triceps and calves • Average minimum of four 20 or 30-minute sessions spaced two to three days apart.

INMODE EVOLVE

• Hands-free workstation • Treats adipose tissue, tones muscles and remodels skin • Uses bipolar technology to deliver radiofrequency energy and electromagnetic pulses • Treatments can be customised with three pre-set programmes – Tite, Trim and Tone • Multiple hands-free applicators and adjustable belts to maximise clinician’s time – eight for skin remodelling with radiofrequency, six for radiofrequency and tissue vacuum, four for EMS • Refines appearance and strength of target muscle groups.

TESLAFORMER

• Uses FMS (functional magnetic stimulation) • More than 50.000 contractions in 30 minutes • 3 tesla power • Approximately 200 dedicated programmes for aesthetics, gynaecology, urology, andrology and physical therapy and pain management • Constant change of waveforms, frequencies and contraction types • Core therapy programme – two applicators on the abs, one for pelvic and one for the back to strengthen and shape the core muscles for better physique and posture • TESLAChair also available for incontinence, with two built-in applicators.

TESLA Former is a medical device using the new FMS (Functional Magnetic Stimulation) technology for muscle strengthening, toning and sculpting the body on areas of the glutes, abs, hamstrings, thighs, calves, arms, back and pelvic floor.

TESLA Former provides pulsed magnetic fields, contracting the muscles through its effect on motor nerves of the muscles on the target site.

Tesla Former delivers more than 50,000 pulses in 30 minutes with constant changes in frequency, waveform, and contraction type. This doesn’t allow the targeted muscles to adapt to the treatment, therefore higher muscle growth is achieved and no plateauing effect will be seen.

One other benefit of Tesla Former is although it doesn’t target the fat directly, when the target muscles are contracting they use up the low amount of energy that is stored within them in a short period of time and they start to draw on fat in the targeted area. This allows muscle building and natural, non-invasive body sculpting.

UNIQUE FEATURES: • More than 50,000 contractions in 30 minutes • Six applicators available (four body applicators and two built into the TeslaChair) • TeslaChair for core muscle strengthening targeting the pelvic floor, back and abs • 24 different phases of muscle contractions in one cycle, constant change of frequency, waveform and type of contractions • 200 treatment protocols (aesthetics, physical therapy, sports rehabilitation and gyneacology) • Alternating applicators using higher energy levels • Three Tesla Power and four Channels

Tesla Former comes with the TeslaChair if required. This combination allows targeting of the pelvic floor + back + abs, with four applicators for core therapy.

The TeslaChair also helps with Pelvic floor issues such as incontinence problems with two built-in applicators in the chair. AM