Fat Freezing Vs Fat Dissolving Vs EMS?
You’ve decided you want to do something about those stubborn areas — the abdomen that won’t flatten no matter how clean you eat, the thighs that don’t respond to exercise, or the arms you’d rather not think about in sleeveless tops. You’ve heard about non-surgical body treatments, but there are so many options it’s hard to know where to start.
Fat freezing. Fat dissolving. EMS. What’s the difference? Which one actually works? And which one is right for your specific body and goals?
At Vita Renewal Aesthetics in Knightsbridge, we offer all three — and in this guide, our specialists break down exactly how each treatment works, what results you can realistically expect, who each one suits best, and how to choose between them.
The best body sculpting treatment isn’t the most popular one — it’s the one matched precisely to your body, your goals, and your lifestyle.
First — Are These Treatments the Same Thing?
No. Despite being grouped under the umbrella of ‘body sculpting’, Cryolipolysis (fat freezing), Fat Dissolving Injections, and EMS (Electromagnetic Muscle Stimulation) work in completely different ways, target different concerns, and produce different results. Understanding the distinction is the key to choosing correctly.
Here’s the simplest way to think about it:
Cryolipolysis — removes fat cells using cold
Fat Dissolving Injections — removes fat cells using an injectable solution
EMS — builds muscle and tones the body using electromagnetic energy
Two of the three are primarily fat reduction treatments. One is primarily a muscle-building treatment — with fat reduction as a welcome secondary benefit. Let’s look at each in detail.
Treatment 1: Cryolipolysis (Fat Freezing)
How it works
Cryolipolysis uses a precisely controlled applicator to cool the fat cells in a targeted area to around -9°C. Fat cells are uniquely vulnerable to cold — they crystallise and die at temperatures that leave the surrounding skin, nerves, and tissue completely unaffected. Once destroyed, the dead fat cells are gradually processed and eliminated by the body’s lymphatic system over the following 4–12 weeks.
The result is a measurable, permanent reduction in fat cells in the treated area — without a single needle or incision.
What it’s best for
Larger areas of stubborn fat — abdomen, flanks, thighs, back
Clients who want permanent fat removal without surgery or injections
Those with pinchable fat deposits that don’t respond to diet and exercise
Clients wanting a lunch-break treatment with zero downtime
The results
Clinical data shows an average fat reduction of 20–30% per treated area per session. Results develop gradually over 4–12 weeks as the body eliminates the treated fat cells, with the best outcomes visible at around the 12-week mark. Most clients achieve their goals in 1–3 sessions.
Cryolipolysis at a glance
Invasive? No
Downtime: None
Results: 4–12 weeks
Sessions needed: 1–3 per area
Fat removal: Permanent
Starting from: £180 per session
Treatment 2: Fat Dissolving Injections
How it works
Fat Dissolving Injections use a carefully formulated solution — typically deoxycholic acid or a phosphatidylcholine-based compound — which is injected directly into a targeted fat deposit. The solution breaks down the membrane of fat cells, causing them to rupture and disintegrate. The body then naturally processes and eliminates these destroyed fat cells over the following weeks, just as it does with Cryolipolysis.
The key distinction is precision. Fat Dissolving Injections can be placed with pinpoint accuracy into very small, specific areas — making them the treatment of choice for localised, defined fat deposits that a larger Cryolipolysis applicator cannot easily target.
What it’s best for
Small, precise fat deposits — chin, jawline, inner knees, upper arms
Double chin reduction — one of the most popular applications
Clients who are comfortable with small injections
Defining and contouring specific areas rather than treating large zones
Those who want a faster initial treatment time (20–30 minutes per session)
The results
Results develop gradually over 6–8 weeks as the body eliminates the dissolved fat cells. Most clients require 2–4 sessions per area for optimal results, spaced 6–8 weeks apart. Like Cryolipolysis, the fat reduction is permanent — the destroyed cells cannot return.
Fat Dissolving at a glance
Invasive? Minimally (small injections)
Downtime: 24–48 hrs mild swelling
Results: 6–8 weeks
Sessions needed: 2–4 per area
Fat removal: Permanent
Starting from: £120 per session
Treatment 3: EMS (Electromagnetic Muscle Stimulation)
How it works
EMS is fundamentally different from the other two treatments. Rather than removing fat, its primary purpose is to build muscle. High-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) energy is delivered through paddle applicators placed on the target area, causing the muscles to undergo supramaximal contractions — contractions at an intensity impossible to achieve voluntarily, even in the most intense gym session.
During a single 30-minute session, the targeted muscles perform the equivalent of approximately 20,000 contractions. The muscles adapt to this extraordinary demand by growing and remodelling — increasing in mass and definition. As a secondary benefit, the intense metabolic demand also triggers localised fat metabolism in the treated area.
What it’s best for
Building muscle definition and tone — abs, glutes, arms, thighs
Clients who want to improve shape and definition, not just reduce fat
Those who have lost weight and want to restore firmness and muscle tone
Improving core strength and posture
Anyone wanting to accelerate and enhance their fitness results
Post-partum body reshaping
The results
Clinical studies show an average increase in muscle mass of 16% and a secondary reduction in localised fat of 19% after a course of treatments. Clients typically notice improved tone and firmness from as early as 2–4 sessions. A full course of 4–8 sessions, twice per week, is recommended for best results.
EMS at a glance
Invasive? No
Downtime: None (mild muscle ache 24–48 hrs)
Results: From 2–4 sessions
Sessions needed: 4–8 per area
Builds muscle: Yes
Starting from: £150 per session
Side-by-Side Treatment Comparison
| Feature | Cryolipolysis | Fat Dissolving | EMS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary effect | Removes fat | Removes fat | Builds muscle |
| Secondary effect | — | — | Reduces fat |
| Best area size | Medium to large areas | Small, precise areas | Any muscle group |
| Invasive? | No | Minimally invasive injections | No |
| Downtime | None | 24–48 hours | None |
| Results timeline | 4–12 weeks | 6–8 weeks | From sessions 2–4 |
| Sessions needed | 1–3 | 2–4 | 4–8 |
| Permanent fat removal? | Yes | Yes | Partial, as a secondary effect |
| Builds muscle? | No | No | Yes |
| Suitable for chin or jawline? | Yes | Yes — ideal | No |
| Starting price | £180 | £120 | £150 |
So — Which Treatment Should You Choose?
The honest answer is: it depends on what you want to achieve. Here are the most common goals and which treatment fits best:
“I want to get rid of fat on my stomach / thighs / flanks / arms”
Cryolipolysis is likely your best option. It covers larger surface areas effectively, requires minimal sessions, and produces permanent fat reduction with zero downtime. If the area is small and precise (e.g. inner arms rather than the whole arm), Fat Dissolving Injections may be more targeted.
“I want to reduce my double chin”
Fat Dissolving Injections are the gold standard here. The chin is a small, defined area that responds exceptionally well to injectable fat dissolving — it’s one of the most popular and satisfying results we achieve at the clinic. Cryolipolysis can also treat the submental area, but injections tend to allow more precision.
“I want a more toned, defined body — not just less fat”
EMS is the answer. If your goal is definition, shape, and muscle tone — rather than simply reducing fat — EMS is the only treatment of the three that addresses this directly. It is particularly transformative for the abdomen, glutes, and arms.
“I’ve lost weight but my body looks soft and undefined”
EMS is ideal for post-weight-loss body reshaping. Significant weight loss often results in reduced muscle tone, leaving the body looking soft even at a lower weight. EMS rebuilds that muscle definition and firmness.
“I want the most comprehensive result possible”
Combine treatments. Many of our most satisfied clients use EMS and Cryolipolysis together in the same area — permanently reducing fat while simultaneously building the underlying muscle. The result is a leaner, more defined, and more sculpted appearance that neither treatment alone could achieve.
Combining Cryolipolysis with EMS in the same area delivers both fat reduction and muscle building simultaneously — the most complete body sculpting result available without surgery.
“I’m not sure — I just know I want to look better”
Book a consultation. This is genuinely the best advice we can give. Body sculpting is not one-size-fits-all, and what works brilliantly for one person may not be the right choice for another. Our specialists will assess your specific areas of concern, discuss your goals honestly, and recommend the treatment — or combination — most likely to deliver the results you want.
What About Combining All Three?
Yes — it’s possible, and for some clients it’s the optimal approach. Here’s how a combined programme might look:
Cryolipolysis on the abdomen to permanently reduce the fat layer
EMS on the abdomen simultaneously to build core definition and ab tone
Fat Dissolving Injections on the chin or jawline to define the face
EMS on the glutes to lift and firm
This kind of bespoke multi-treatment programme is something our Knightsbridge team designs regularly — and we offer package pricing to make it more accessible. Ask about our combination packages at consultation.
FAQ
Yes — and many clients do. Treating the same area with both on the same day is safe and efficient. Your specialist will advise on the best sequence.
No. All three treatments are body contouring treatments, not weight loss solutions. They work best for clients who are at or near their target weight but have localised concerns — stubborn fat pockets or lack of muscle definition — that aren’t responding to diet and exercise.
Cryolipolysis and Fat Dissolving Injections both permanently destroy fat cells, so in that sense they are equally permanent — provided a healthy lifestyle is maintained. EMS results last well but benefit from maintenance sessions every 1–3 months to preserve muscle mass.
All three are in high demand, but Cryolipolysis is our most frequently booked body sculpting treatment for fat reduction, while EMS is the fastest-growing. Increasingly, clients book both together as a combination programme.
Simply contact us by phone, email, or via our online booking system. Consultations are private, relaxed, and completely obligation-free. We’ll discuss your goals, assess your areas of concern, and give you an honest, expert recommendation.
