What is the best non-surgical treatment to tighten/tone my abdomen? (Photos)

Morpheus 8 is a non-invasive skin and soft tissue tightening treatment that is consistently amazing in our patients. We use the Morpheus to exact fractional induced RF into the skin or tissue in order to tighten collagen and stimulate contraction of the tissue. For acne scars, it is quite useful to build collagen in patients who have atrophic scars but is not very productive for ice-pick scars which require TCA Cross. For tissue tightening, Morpheus is ideal for the face and neck and we often combine it with CO2 laser or Ultherapy to further enhance results. Chemical peels and skin resurfacing should be done at least 5 to 7 days after, but can be performed earlier, depending on treatment severity. Avoid exfoliating skin treatments before Morpheus and expect a period of 2-4 weeks for skin contraction to set in.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Hello and thank you for your question! You’re definitely not alone in feeling overwhelmed by the options. The good news is, for someone in your position—muscular, actively training, and looking to tighten up the abdomen—there are treatments that work really well without surgery. In fact, the best results in our practice typically come from combining a couple of technologies that target different layers of tissue.

1. Emsculpt NEO
This treatment uses electromagnetic energy and radiofrequency to help build muscle and burn fat at the same time. It’s a great fit for people who are already working out, because it enhances definition and core strength while also giving a mild skin tightening effect thanks to the heat component. Most people do a series of 4 sessions, spaced about a week apart.

2. RF Microneedling (like Morpheus8 Body or Potenza)
This one focuses more on skin tightening. It uses tiny needles and radiofrequency energy to stimulate collagen deep in the skin, which helps improve laxity, texture, and firmness. It’s ideal if there’s any crepiness or mild sagging from weight fluctuations or age. Most patients do 2–3 sessions spaced a few weeks apart.

3. Optional Add-On: CoolSculpting or Ultrasound-Based Fat Reduction
If there are small, stubborn fat pockets that haven’t responded to diet and exercise, something like CoolSculpting can be a helpful add-on. But if you’re already seeing fat loss from training, this might not be necessary.

Bottom line:
Combining Emsculpt NEO with RF microneedling tends to give the best non-surgical results for someone looking to tone, tighten, and enhance the midsection. It’s effective, minimally invasive, and works well for people who are already committed to fitness.

I hope this helps!
Genie Alexander, RN BSN for
Anna Petropoulos, MD FRCS
Center for Classic Beauty
Danvers & Boston, MA

Thank you for reaching out with your question about non-surgical options to tighten and tone your abdomen. With the variety of treatments available, it's understandable that choosing the right one can be overwhelming. Here are some popular non-surgical treatments that might be suitable for your needs:

Radiofrequency (RF) Therapy:
RF treatments, such as Thermage or Exilis, use radiofrequency energy to heat the deeper layers of the skin, stimulating collagen production and promoting skin tightening. It’s effective for mild to moderate skin laxity and requires minimal downtime.

Ultrasound Therapy:


Treatments like Ultherapy use focused ultrasound energy to lift and tighten the skin. It’s FDA-approved for skin tightening and is a good option for those looking for subtle, gradual results without invasive procedures.

Laser Treatments:


Non-ablative laser treatments, such as Fraxel, can help improve skin texture and firmness by promoting collagen remodeling. While primarily known for addressing skin texture, they can also contribute to a firmer appearance.

Cryolipolysis (CoolSculpting):


While primarily used for fat reduction, CoolSculpting can help contour the abdomen by freezing and eliminating fat cells. It’s worth considering if you have stubborn fat deposits that are resistant to diet and exercise.

Combination Treatments:


Often, combining treatments can enhance results. For instance, pairing RF with ultrasound or laser treatments can target both skin laxity and texture, offering a more comprehensive approach.

Consultation and Personalized Plan:


It’s important to consult with a qualified dermatologist or cosmetic specialist who can assess your specific needs and goals. They can recommend a tailored treatment plan that maximizes results while considering your budget.


Each of these treatments has its benefits, and the best choice depends on your specific goals and skin condition. A professional consultation will help determine the most effective strategy for achieving your desired outcome.

While overlying tissue may "hide" muscular definition, the first steps should still generally be optimizing muscles and tissues, before "tightening" anything.At your age, hormone status may be of interest - particularly testosterone levels. Additionaly, there may be other nonprocedural options to help increase lean muscle mass and decrease fat percentage, depending upon your goals. It would be important to undergo a detailed evaluation by a physician aligned with your goals and medical condition to determine the options.

Morpheus8 is a good option for skin tightening. This treatment combines RF technology with microneedling to improve overall skin tone and texture. Three treatment sessions are typically recommended for optimal results. I've included a video that I hope you find helpful.

After viewing your pictures, the best treatment for tightening your loose skin is the Profound treatment.
The Profound uses radiofrequency to heat 32 gauge wires/needles to a constant 153 degrees F that are inserted by a hand piece for 3 second long pulse. This temperature and time period were studied extensively as the optimal combo to produce optimal amounts of collagen and elastin. There are no other devices currently that produces elastin. The most important part of the treatment is administering the the local anesthesia. It needs to be diluted ( still provides adequate anesthesia) in order to be able to anesthetize the entire abdomen to be treated which many treatment providers fail to do resulting in a smaller treatment area and sub-optimal results. The results take time to materialize as the actual collage production starts in approximately 30 days, and elastin starts to be produced at approximately 6 weeks after the treatment. Good results are evident at 3 months and optimal results at 6 months. The treatment is not painful, and we use topical anesthesia before administering the local anesthetic. There is some swelling and minor bruising that resolves by 2 weeks. The best outcomes appear to be with physicians that perform these on a regular basis and have overcome the limitations of anesthetizing the treatment area adequately within the limits of the total amount of local anesthesia to be used. I have also found using Marcaine instead of lidocaine provides optimal anesthesia for the area to be treated. This is a one treatment modality versus a series of treatments for other modalities, and results appear to last approximately 4-5 years.

It's great that you're looking for non-surgical ways to tighten and tone your abdomen! While these treatments can offer noticeable improvements, it's important to have realistic expectations. They typically provide more subtle results compared to surgical procedures like a tummy tuck. The "best" treatment will depend on factors like your individual body, the degree of laxity, and your budget.

Here are some of the most popular and effective non-surgical treatments for abdominal tightening and toning:

Energy-Based Treatments: These treatments use various forms of energy to stimulate collagen and elastin production in the skin, leading to a tightening effect. Some also target and reduce fat.

Radiofrequency (RF) Treatments:
How it works: RF energy heats the deep layers of your skin, which stimulates collagen and elastin production. This leads to firmer, tighter skin over time.
Examples: Forma, Exilis, Thermage, and devices that combine RF with microneedling like Morpheus8.
Benefits: Can improve skin laxity, texture, and mild fat reduction in some cases. Generally painless with no downtime. Suitable for all skin types.
Considerations: Multiple sessions are usually required for optimal results.
Evolve by InMode is a non-invasive body contouring system that offers a variety of treatments designed to tighten skin, reduce fat, and tone muscles. It utilizes radiofrequency (RF) energy and/or electromagnetic muscle stimulation (EMS) to achieve these results.

There are three main types of Evolve treatments:

Evolve Tite: This treatment uses RF energy to heat the deep layers of the skin, stimulating collagen and elastin production. This leads to skin tightening and a firmer appearance. It's often used on areas with loose or sagging skin due to aging or weight loss.
Evolve Trim: This treatment also uses RF energy, but with the aim of reducing the appearance of cellulite and unwanted fat. It works by heating the tissue beneath the skin to address fat pockets and the dimpling associated with cellulite.
Evolve Tone: This treatment utilizes EMS to induce involuntary muscle contractions. This helps to strengthen and tone the underlying muscles, leading to a more sculpted physique. It's often used to enhance muscle definition in areas like the abdomen, buttocks, and thighs. Some devices, like Evolve Transform, combine RF energy for fat reduction and skin tightening with EMS for muscle toning in a single treatment.