Q: What are the pros and cons of Emtone?

Pros This noninvasive procedure can treat mild to moderate cellulite anywhere on the body. An Emtone treatment session typically takes just 20 minutes, depending on the size of the treated area. It’s also painless. Some patients compare the sensation to a hot stone massage, paired with intense vibrations from the mechanical energy. People of all skin types and tones can be good candidates (as long as they have good skin elasticity). For most patients, Emtone side effects are limited to swelling and redness, and downtime is minimal. Cons This isn’t a one-time procedure: doctors typically recommend a treatment plan that includes four to six sessions, for optimal results. You’ll also need annual touch-up sessions to maintain your results. As with other treatments that rely on new collagen development, you won’t see your final results until about three months after your final treatment. Emtone reviews on RealSelf give the treatment a 36% Worth It Rating . Of those who say it’s “Not Worth It,” several report that the treatment was very painful, and most say they saw no improvement in their cellulite, even after a series of three to six treatments. RealSelf Tip: Unlike more invasive treatment options like Avéli (which has a much higher Worth It Rating), an Emtone treatment doesn't sever and release the fibrous bands called septae: it temporarily elongates them. That’s one of the reasons it works better on Grade 1 cellulite, often characterized as an “orange peel” texture, than Grade 2 (”cottage cheese”) or Grade 3 ("mattress" texture).

Question 1

What is Emtone, and how does it work?

Accepted Answer

BTL Emtone is an FDA-cleared cellulite treatment that also comes with skin tightening benefits. This noninvasive treatment addresses five underlying causes of cellulite:

loss of skin elasticity due to deteriorating elastin and collagen fibers
metabolic waste retention
poor blood flow
enlarged fat chambers
fibrous bands (septae) that pull down the skin, causing fat to bulge and cellulite dimples to form

Emtone works by emitting a combination of radiofrequency and targeted pressure energy in the form of acoustic waves, to reduce the appearance of cellulite dimples and treat mild skin laxity.

Radiofrequency energy warms the skin to 108–111ºF, to tighten existing collagen fibers and stimulate new elastin and collagen production. Over the coming weeks and months, this new collagen and elastin formation leads to subtle skin tightening and firming.
Acoustic waves increase circulation and lymphatic drainage, reducing the fluid and waste retention that contributes to the bumpy appearance of cellulite.

While the butt and thighs are the most frequently treated areas, Emtone can also safely treat cellulite on other areas of the body, including the knees, abdomen, and upper arms.

RealSelf Tip: This isn’t a good treatment option for patients with significant skin laxity. Those who already have relatively good skin elasticity will see better results. It’s also not intended to be a body contouring or fat-reduction treatment.

Related: These Are the Top Cellulite Treatments, According to Experts

Question 2

What are the pros and cons of Emtone?

Accepted Answer

Pros

This noninvasive procedure can treat mild to moderate cellulite anywhere on the body.
An Emtone treatment session typically takes just 20 minutes, depending on the size of the treated area.
It’s also painless. Some patients compare the sensation to a hot stone massage, paired with intense vibrations from the mechanical energy.
People of all skin types and tones can be good candidates (as long as they have good skin elasticity).
For most patients, Emtone side effects are limited to swelling and redness, and downtime is minimal.

Cons

This isn’t a one-time procedure: doctors typically recommend a treatment plan that includes four to six sessions, for optimal results. You’ll also need annual touch-up sessions to maintain your results.
As with other treatments that rely on new collagen development, you won’t see your final results until about three months after your final treatment.
Emtone reviews on RealSelf give the treatment a 36% Worth It Rating. Of those who say it’s “Not Worth It,” several report that the treatment was very painful, and most say they saw no improvement in their cellulite, even after a series of three to six treatments.

RealSelf Tip: Unlike more invasive treatment options like Avéli (which has a much higher Worth It Rating), an Emtone treatment doesn't sever and release the fibrous bands called septae: it temporarily elongates them. That’s one of the reasons it works better on Grade 1 cellulite, often characterized as an “orange peel” texture, than Grade 2 (”cottage cheese”) or Grade 3 ("mattress" texture).

Question 3

How much does Emtone cost?

Accepted Answer

Emtone is usually priced as a package of four treatment sessions. Some providers offer discounts for multiple treatment areas and follow-up maintenance treatments.

The price you pay will depend on your provider’s level of experience, their practice location, how many treatments you have, and the number of body areas you have treated.

Elective cosmetic treatments like this one are not covered by insurance, but you can finance your treatment with CareCredit or ask your provider about monthly payment plans.

See our complete guide to Emtone costs

Question 4

Emtone before and after pictures

Accepted Answer

The Emtone photos in our gallery have been shared by the provider who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.

Question 5

Emsculpt vs. Emtone: what’s the difference?

Accepted Answer

Emtone is often confused with the body contouring and muscle toning procedure Emsculpt, another noninvasive treatment developed by BTL.

While Emtone targets cellulite, Emsculpt and the newer Emsculpt Neo devices tone muscles by inducing rapid contractions (thousands of times in a few seconds) with electromagnetic energy, burning fat along the way.

Emsculpt can tone muscles in the abdomen and buttocks, as well as smaller areas like the upper arms, thighs, and calves. (This same high-intensity focused electromagnetic energy is used in Emsella, to strengthen your pelvic muscles and restore bladder control.)

If your goal is less cellulite and firm, smooth skin with better muscle tone, these two treatments can be very complementary.

Related: My Unfiltered Emsculpt Neo Review, from Cost to Pain Level to What Results Were Really Like

Question 6

What happens during an Emtone treatment?

Accepted Answer

An Emtone treatment for a single body area takes about 20 minutes. Here’s what to expect:

First, you’ll lie down on a treatment table. Your provider will apply a conductive lotion to the treatment area, which will help the handpiece move more easily over your skin.
They’ll place a grounding pad on your back, to safely deliver the radiofrequency energy.
Then they’ll glide the Emtone handpiece over your skin. It will feel warmer as the tissue temperature rises. The continual movement of the handpiece, real-time temperature monitoring, and an automatic-shutoff safety feature should ensure that it won’t become too hot or painful. While most found it tolerable, some reviewers on RealSelf did experience pain during their treatment.
You’ll also feel intense mechanical vibrations. One RealSelf member who had the procedure on her abdomen said “it’s a very weird feeling,” and that the area was sore after a few treatment sessions.

Your skin may look flushed and feel warm for about 30 minutes afterward, but you’ll be able to resume normal activities immediately.

Question 7

How many Emtone treatments are recommended?

Accepted Answer

Most providers recommend a series of four Emtone treatment sessions, over the course of two weeks, for optimal results. Some recommend up to six Emtone sessions for patients with moderate cellulite.

Optimal results should appear within three months of your last session. It takes that long for the new collagen and elastin to develop.

RealSelf member Liorad started noticing a difference after her second of five treatments. “The skin on my lower abdominal area is much tighter, and I’ve lost the bit of loose skin left over from my pregnancy. My butt is smoother and less dimpled.”

Question 8

Are Emtone results permanent?

Accepted Answer

Science hasn’t yet delivered a permanent way to get rid of cellulite, so as with other treatment options, Emtone results aren’t permanent. Doctors recommend follow-up treatment sessions every 3–12 months.

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Karyn Repinski

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