Non-surgical body contouring: what works and who it suits
Non-surgical body contouring uses cold, ultrasound, heat or injections to destroy a small pocket of fat. The American Academy of Dermatology says the full effect shows 3 to 6 months after the last session, and the change is subtle. It suits people near their goal weight. Karisma offers none of these; its body sculpting is EMS and Endermologie.
Published · Written by Kay Woodson · Results vary.The four fat-reduction methods, side by side
The AAD groups noninvasive fat reduction into four methods. Session counts below are the AAD's typical figures.
| Method | How it works | Typical sessions | Known brand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cryolipolysis | Cold freezes and destroys fat cells | Usually 2 | CoolSculpting, FDA-cleared in 2010 |
| Ultrasound | Sound waves make the fat break down over time | 1 to 3, by device | Cavitation devices fall in this family |
| Radiofrequency | Heat destroys fat cells | 4 to 10 | Several makers |
| Injections | An acid similar to bile acid, approved for the double chin | Usually 2, 6 to 8 weeks apart | Given by a medical provider |
Source: AAD, "Noninvasive fat reduction: what to expect", and a 2017 review in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology for the CoolSculpting clearance. Read October 29, 2026.
What results look like
The AAD's own word for the result is subtle. Some people notice a change as early as 3 weeks, with the full effect between 3 and 6 months after the last treatment. For chin injections, it is about 3 to 4 months.
The fat cells that are destroyed do not come back. The ones left behind can still grow, so if you gain weight, the treated area can fill out again. That is why these treatments are described as shaping, not slimming.
A good candidate
The AAD describes someone whose weight is in the normal range for their height, with a small bulge of fat that stays despite diet and exercise. Think lower belly, flanks, or under the chin.
Not a good fit
Anyone hoping to lose weight overall, or whose main concern is loose skin rather than a pocket of fat. These methods target fat. If your stomach changed after pregnancy or a big weight loss, talk to a physician about all your options.
What are the side effects?
The AAD says most people have some swelling, bruising or discomfort afterward, and that these pass. In rare cases, freezing can cause long-term pain or increase the fat in the treated area.
That second effect has a name: paradoxical adipose hyperplasia. A 2017 review in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology found 16 published cases and said the true rate may be higher than first reported. Ask any provider how often they have seen it, and what they do if it happens.
What can you do instead of CoolSculpting?
If fat freezing is not for you, these are the honest alternatives, from least to most involved.
- Strength training. The AAD notes that more muscle can make skin look smoother and firmer. It costs nothing but time.
- Another noninvasive method. Ultrasound or radiofrequency. More sessions than freezing, and the AAD still describes the result as subtle.
- A cellulite treatment, if dimpling is the real issue. Fat reduction does not fix it. The AAD lists cryolipolysis as not recommended for cellulite.
- A consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon, if you want a larger change than these devices can make.
What Karisma offers, and what it does not
Karisma Esthetics does not offer CoolSculpting, and the body treatments on this site, EMS body sculpting, LPG Endermologie and red light therapy, do not destroy fat cells.
What the studio does offer for the body is LPG Endermologie, from $150 a session, a roller and suction treatment aimed at how cellulite looks, and EMS body sculpting, $125, which works the muscle. Neither one is a fat-reduction treatment. If you are unsure whether you are looking for sculpting or contouring, the two words are compared in body sculpting vs body contouring.
Body contouring questions
Do the results of non-surgical body contouring last?
The destroyed fat cells are gone for good, according to the AAD. The remaining cells can still expand with weight gain, so the shape you get depends on keeping your weight steady.
How many sessions does body contouring take?
It depends on the method. The AAD gives about 2 for cryolipolysis, 1 to 3 for ultrasound and 4 to 10 for radiofrequency.
Does body contouring help you lose weight?
No. It is meant to shrink a small area of fat in people whose weight is already in the normal range for their height.
Does Karisma do cavitation or CoolSculpting?
No. Karisma's body sculpting treatments are Endermologie and EMS, neither of which removes fat.
- Noninvasive fat reduction: what to expect, American Academy of Dermatology, checked October 29, 2026
- Cellulite treatments: What really works?, American Academy of Dermatology, checked October 29, 2026
- Ho D, Jagdeo J. A Systematic Review of Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia (PAH) Post-Cryolipolysis. J Drugs Dermatol, January 2017
- Karisma Esthetics booking page and prices, GlossGenius, checked October 29, 2026