Body
Read about Emsculpt Neo
Emsculpt Neo
Fat reduction and muscle building in full detail.
Details
Body contouring
Body Contouring and Body Sculpting in Ponte Vedra Beach
Reduce stubborn fat, build muscle, tighten loose skin and smooth cellulite without surgery, needles or downtime, for a stronger body composition as well as a better contour.
Common areas
Abdomen, buttocks, thighs, arms
Appearance
Stubborn fat, loose skin, cellulite
Primary causes
Aging, hormones, genetics
Treated with
Emsculpt Neo, Exion Body
Can stubborn fat be reduced without surgery?
Short answer
Yes. Stubborn fat on the abdomen, hips and thighs is largely set by genetics and hormones, and diet and exercise cannot spot-reduce it. Emsculpt Neo combines electromagnetic muscle contractions with radiofrequency heat to reduce fat and build muscle in the same session. Exion Body adds radiofrequency and ultrasound to tighten loose skin and smooth cellulite, with no downtime for either.
Some fat cells, those with alpha-adrenergic receptors, resist being broken down, which is why certain areas hold on to fat. Shifts in estrogen, testosterone and cortisol can drive fat storage in specific places and make it hard to lose, even with a healthy routine.
Muscle declines too. Starting around age 30 we lose roughly one to two percent of muscle mass a year, and the loss speeds up after 60, as testosterone and growth hormone fall and the body builds protein less efficiently.
Cardio and calorie restriction reduce overall body fat but cannot target one area, and building muscle in a precise spot takes consistent, intense resistance training. Neither reduces fat and builds muscle in the same place at once, which is where these technologies help.
Key concerns addressed
What body contouring treats
Emsculpt Neo works on fat and muscle. Exion Body works on the skin over them. Many plans use both.
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Stubborn fat
Fat on the abdomen, love handles, thighs or buttocks that resists diet and exercise. See Emsculpt Neo.
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Lost muscle tone
Build and define the abs, glutes, arms or calves, and restore strength lost with age, with Emsculpt Neo.
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Loose, sagging skin
Exion Body stimulates collagen and elastin deep in the skin to tighten and firm laxity after weight loss, pregnancy or aging.
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Crepey arms and thighs
Thin, crepey skin on the upper arms and inner thighs is hard to improve with exercise. Exion Body thickens and tightens it.
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Cellulite
Exion Body smooths the fibrous bands that cause dimpling on the thighs, buttocks and abdomen for more even skin.
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Post-pregnancy changes
Restores skin tightness on the abdomen and improves the appearance of stretch marks after pregnancy.
Emsculpt Neo: less fat and more muscle in one treatment
Emsculpt Neo pairs High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic (HIFEM) energy with radiofrequency heating. Applicators placed on the area cause intense muscle contractions while the radiofrequency warms and eliminates fat. The contractions can feel strong, and the intensity is adjusted to your comfort. No numbing is needed.
The standard protocol is four 30-minute sessions spaced 5 to 10 days apart. There is no downtime, only mild muscle soreness like a hard workout for a day or two. Improvement shows within a few weeks, with the full result about 3 months after the final session.
Eliminated fat cells do not regenerate, and new muscle stays with regular activity, so results last a year or more for most patients. Maintenance once or twice a year helps sustain them.
- Areas: abdomen, buttocks, thighs, arms and calves
Exion Body: tighter skin and smoother cellulite
Exion Body combines monopolar radiofrequency with targeted ultrasound to heat the dermis and the tissue beneath it to therapeutic temperatures. That heat prompts the skin to make new collagen and elastin, tightening laxity and smoothing cellulite. Temperature monitoring keeps the treatment warm and comfortable.
Each area takes 20 to 30 minutes. There is no downtime, and you can exercise right after; any redness or mild swelling fades within a few hours. Most patients have 4 to 6 sessions spaced 1 to 2 weeks apart, notice firmer skin after 2 to 3 sessions, and see the full result 2 to 3 months after the series.
Results can last many months to years with a stable weight and sun protection, and some patients choose periodic maintenance. Exion Body works best for people at or near their ideal weight with mild to moderate laxity.
- Areas: abdomen, flanks, thighs, buttocks, arms, knees, hands and chest
What makes stubborn fat and muscle loss worse?
Several factors work together, and most build with age. Knowing them helps set realistic goals for treatment and for keeping your results.
- Hormonal imbalances: high cortisol from stress adds abdominal fat; falling testosterone, growth hormone and estrogen shift fat and reduce muscle
- Sedentary lifestyle: unused muscles weaken and metabolism slows
- Diet: processed foods and refined sugar promote fat storage, and too little protein limits muscle repair
- Aging: metabolism slows and the body burns calories and builds muscle less efficiently
- Genetics: decide where you store fat and how easily you build muscle
Can the face be toned the same way?
Yes. Emface applies the same idea to the face, combining synchronized radiofrequency with facial electrical stimulation (HIFES) to tone facial muscles and tighten the skin over them. It is a needle-free, no-downtime treatment of four 20-minute sessions spaced a week apart, with the full result around 90 days after the last one. Details are on the Emface page, linked below.
Treatment overview
What a body contouring plan looks like
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01
Consultation
Dr. Cappel assesses your fat, muscle tone, skin laxity and cellulite, reviews your history and builds a plan for each area.
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02
Preparation
No special preparation. Arrive with clean, dry skin and no lotions, oils or creams on the treatment area.
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03
Treatment
Emsculpt Neo takes 30 minutes with strong muscle contractions and warmth. Exion Body takes 20 to 30 minutes per area and feels warm.
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04
Your series
Emsculpt Neo is four sessions 5 to 10 days apart. Exion Body is usually 4 to 6 sessions 1 to 2 weeks apart.
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05
After each session
No downtime. Expect mild soreness after Emsculpt Neo, or brief redness and warmth after Exion Body.
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06
Results
Results build over 2 to 3 months after your final session as fat clears, muscle strengthens and collagen remodels.
Suitability
Is body contouring right for you?
A good fit if
- You have stubborn fat on the abdomen, flanks, thighs or buttocks
- You want to build and define muscle in specific areas
- You have mild to moderate loose skin or cellulite
- You want to tighten skin after weight loss or pregnancy
- You want a non-surgical option with no downtime
- You are at or near your ideal body weight
Not the right treatment if
- You are pregnant
- You have metal or electronic implants in the area, such as a pacemaker or copper IUD
- You have a history of seizures (Emsculpt Neo)
- You have an active infection or skin condition in the area
- You have a history of skin cancer in the treatment area (Exion Body)
For overall weight loss, see medical weight loss. For more on belly fat, read our guide to stubborn belly fat.
Compared
Body and face contouring compared
| Treatment | Primary target | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emsculpt Neo | Stubborn fat and muscle tone | HIFEM plus radiofrequency builds muscle and reduces fat | Abdomen, buttocks, thighs, arms and calves |
| Exion Body | Loose skin and cellulite | Monopolar radiofrequency plus targeted ultrasound | Skin tightening and cellulite on many body areas |
| Emface | Facial muscles and skin | HIFES plus radiofrequency tones and tightens | Lifting and toning the face |
Results
Patient results
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Before
After
Exion Body · Female, age 25 to 34
Individual results vary. Photographs depict actual outcomes for specific patients and are not a guarantee of the results any individual patient will experience.
Cost
What body contouring costs
Pricing
Emsculpt Neo and Exion Body are priced by the number of areas treated and the number of sessions in your plan, so pricing is provided at your consultation. A typical Exion Body plan is 4 to 6 sessions, and package pricing and flexible payment options are available.
Costs vary with the number of sessions and the areas treated. We give you transparent pricing at your consultation, before any treatment. Cost and payment options
Questions
Questions about Body Contouring
Emsculpt Neo reduces fat and builds muscle in the same session. Its electromagnetic energy causes powerful contractions that strengthen muscle while radiofrequency heat eliminates fat, for a toned look that fat reduction alone cannot create.
Emsculpt Neo is four 30-minute sessions spaced 5 to 10 days apart. Exion Body usually takes 4 to 6 sessions spaced 1 to 2 weeks apart. Dr. Cappel recommends the number for your goals.
Emsculpt Neo causes intense muscle contractions and warmth, which can be uncomfortable but not painful, and the intensity is adjustable. Exion Body feels warm and relaxing. Neither needs numbing.
No. You can return to normal activities, including exercise, right away. Emsculpt Neo can leave mild soreness for a day or two.
Some patients notice firmer muscle or skin within a few weeks or after 2 to 3 Exion Body sessions. Full results appear about 2 to 3 months after the final session.
Eliminated fat cells do not regenerate, and new muscle and collagen last with a healthy lifestyle and stable weight. Most patients enjoy results for a year or more, with maintenance once or twice a year.
Yes. Emsculpt Neo is often combined with skin tightening to address loose skin after fat reduction, and Exion Body is that tightening step. Read more in our guide to stubborn belly fat.
Where
Body Contouring in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
At our office at 100 Executive Way, Suite 114, Ponte Vedra Beach, under the care of Dr. Cappel, a double board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist.
Patients see us from Ponte Vedra Beach, Ponte Vedra, Nocatee, Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Palm Coast and across Northeast Florida.
- HoursMonday to Friday, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
- Phone(904) 686-7771
- PaymentSelf-pay, credit cards, CareCredit and Cherry
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