What is Body Sculpting?

Updated March 18, 2026

There’s no such thing as the “perfect body,” but many of us have areas we wish were more tightened and toned. Exercise and diet only take you so far—especially for stubborn areas that don’t seem to budge, no matter how many squats or crunches you do.

That’s where body sculpting (or body contouring) treatments come in. These non-surgical, in-office treatments use a non-invasive approach to reduce fat cells—and there are plenty of options if this feels like the treatment for you.

How does body sculpting work?

There are five different types of body contouring treatments to choose from. While you may get similar results with each type, these methods can look and feel vastly different.

The most common forms of body contouring are:

1. Cryolipolysis
2. Laser fat reduction
3. Ultrasound fat reduction
4. Deoxycholic acid injections
5. Muscle stimulation

Here’s what you can expect from different kinds of body sculpting treatments, including what they normally cost and the typical side effects.

#1 Cryolipolysis

Cryolipolysis is performed via a machine that sucks up problem areas—typically the belly, thighs, or butt. The device then cools these areas to the proper temperature, leaving the destroyed fat cells in a frozen-like state.

While Cryolipolysis has been found to effectively reduce body fat in targeted areas by 20-25%, results are not instantaneous.¹ This is because it takes time for dead fat cells to be removed from the body and for significant weight loss to be noticeable. Results can be accelerated through massage.² Patients should also consider maintaining proper care post-procedure to enhance recovery and results.

Cost: $2,000 to $4,000 per session.³

Potential side effects: Patients may experience a tugging sensation at the target site, pain or stinging, and temporary redness or swelling. If these symptoms appear, they will typically be mild and stop within 3 to 11 days.⁴

#2 Laser Fat Reduction

On the opposite end of the thermometer, body contouring can also be achieved through heat. Laser fat reduction uses wavelengths to heat fat cells to an inhospitable temperature.

This heat is safe on skin and internal organs, while remaining hot enough (107.6 to 116 degrees Fahrenheit) to eliminate stubborn fat. This approach may be preferred by those looking to avoid traditional surgery. After 25 minutes, the cosmetic procedure is complete, and fat cells in the area should begin to break down. The entire process can take up to 12 weeks for your lymphatic system to fully flush out the dead fat cells and result in the minimization of loose skin.⁵

Cost: $1,400 to $1,500 per session.

#3 Deoxycholic Acid Injections

Deoxycholic acid is a naturally occurring bile in the body that helps break down fat during digestion. For body sculpting purposes, this acid can be injected into targeted areas using a syringe.

Because this is the only form of nonsurgical body sculpting that requires an injection, the procedure will typically be done under local anesthesia. The only FDA-approved product is currently allowed to be administered to the area under the chin, only. This nonsurgical approach allows individuals to refine their appearance without undergoing surgical procedures.

About 59% of people who undergo deoxycholic acid injections require six sessions for optimal results. These sessions must be at least a month apart.⁶

Cost: $1,200 to $1,800, depending on the fees charged by your technician.

Potential side effects: Pain, swelling, bruising, and a feeling of numbness can all occur following this type of treatment. Typically, these side effects (if mild) will subside in a week or two. Rarely, this procedure can result in more serious effects on jaw movement, but this is not a common result of a Kybella procedure.

#4 Muscle Stimulation

The final form of body sculpting involves toning the arm or abdominal muscles. Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) is done through the use of electromagnetic energy that essentially strains and contracts the muscles the way exercise would. These contractions cause microtears and fat consumption within the muscles. Over time, this process can help build muscle in the same way a workout routine would—but without all the sweating.⁷

Cost: $500 to $600, with an average of at least four sessions needed to achieve desired results.⁸

No matter which path to body sculpting you choose, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the potential risks and side effects. Additionally, always do your research when choosing a treatment facility, and make sure you’re receiving these procedures from a trusted, certified professional.

What to Expect During a Body Sculpting Session

Whether you choose CoolSculpting, laser reduction, ultrasound treatments, or muscle stimulation, most modern body contouring options are designed to be completed in-office without the need for general surgery.¹ During your consultation, your provider will evaluate your goals and develop a personalized treatment plan that may focus on one or multiple areas.

While experiences vary slightly depending on the technology used, a typical body contouring session often includes the following process:

1. Assessment and Marking – Your provider may assess the area of concern, mark the treatment zone, and ensure your skin is properly prepared.
2. Application of Device or Applicator – Depending on the selected cosmetic technique, a cooling pad, heating device, ultrasound head,² or electromagnetic pad is placed directly over the treatment area.
3. Fat Reduction or Muscle Stimulation Period – You’ll experience sensations such as suction, warmth, cold, pulsing, or muscle contractions as the device works to reduce fat or stimulate tissue response.³
4. Duration and Comfort Monitoring – Most sessions take 20 to 45 minutes to complete, during which the provider ensures your comfort and monitors for risks or unusual sensations.
5. Post-Treatment Massage or Soothing – In some techniques (e.g., cryolipolysis), the area may be massaged to enhance effectiveness or support the breakdown of tissue.⁴

Your provider will likely discuss follow-up sessions, expected timelines to lose visible fat volume, and aftercare tips to enhance your long-term results.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Body Sculpting?

In many cases, a plastic surgeon, dermatologist, or trained provider will evaluate your body composition, skin elasticity, and weight stability before recommending treatment. Body contouring is an appealing option for people who want to reduce stubborn fat and enhance their natural shape without committing to surgery such as liposuction.⁵

While most non-surgical techniques are minimally invasive, you may want to consider whether your health, goals, and expectations are aligned with what these treatments can realistically offer.

You may be a good candidate for body sculpting if you⁶:

• Maintain a generally stable weight and want to refine rather than completely change your physique
• Have localized fat deposits that don’t respond to diet or exercise
• Want to improve the appearance of specific areas like the thighs, love handles, or buttocks
• Prefer non-surgical cosmetic techniques over plastic surgery or liposuction
• Have good skin elasticity to support smoother results and minimize the risks of loose tissue
• Understand that recovery time may still be necessary even with non-invasive techniques
• Are looking to enhance confidence by improving contour rather than dramatically lose weight

For some individuals who have significant fat volume or require more dramatic reshaping, a surgical approach like liposuction or full plastic surgery may be recommended by a plastic surgeon. However, many find that modern non-invasive techniques offer a safe, controlled way to improve definition without scars, anesthesia, or long-term recovery.⁷

How Long Do Body Sculpting Results Last?

Results from non-surgical body sculpting can be long-lasting, especially when the fat cells are permanently destroyed and naturally removed through the body’s metabolic processes. However, the longevity of your results may be influenced by lifestyle, diet, weight maintenance, and how well you support your skin and underlying tissue following treatment. Providers often emphasize that while fat cells may be reduced in volume or permanently eliminated, remaining cells can still expand over time with weight gain.⁸

How to Support Body Sculpting Results

While body contouring can provide noticeable changes on its own, many providers recommend making the most of your investment by using a topical product that can accelerate and maximize your visible results. ALASTIN’s patented TransFORM Body Treatment with TriHex Technology® is a leading formula in the space, created specifically for use after a body contouring procedure. With TriHex Technology®, this product works to help plump skin.

Taking care of the skin covering your targeted areas will also help restore elasticity and potentially prevent excess sagging skin following the procedure. For visible results, use TransFORM Body Treatment with TriHex Technology® following any body-sculpting procedure.

Sources:

1. PubMed. Review of the Mechanisms and Effects of Noninvasive Body Contouring Devices on Cellulite and Subcutaneous Fat. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5236497/
2.  PubMed. Body contouring by non-invasive transdermal focused ultrasound. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17457840/
3. PubMed. Feasibility Study of Electromagnetic Muscle Stimulation and Cryolipolysis for Abdominal Contouring. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32976168/
4. PubMed. Cryolipolysis for fat reduction and body contouring: safety and efficacy of current treatment paradigms. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26017594/
5. ASPS. Nonsurgical Fat Reduction. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/nonsurgical-fat-reduction
6. Cleveland Clinic. Body Contouring. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/cosmetic-plastic-surgery/procedures/body-contouring-procedures#how-to-prepare-tab
7. FDA. Non-Invasive Body Contouring Technologies. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/aesthetic-cosmetic-devices/non-invasive-body-contouring-technologies
8. WebMD. What to Know About Nonsurgical Body Sculpting. https://www.webmd.com/beauty/what-to-know-about-nonsurgical-body-sculpting

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