The Aesthetic Guide

2 The Aesthetic Guide | November/December 2020 | www.theaestheticguide.com Introduction High-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) technology has been widely investigated over the past two years since its introduction to the market in 2017. Both human and veterinary studies were performed and showed that the HIFEM procedure is effective for muscle thickening and strengthening with a notable reduction in subcutaneous fat. Utilizing HIFEM technology to induce supramaximal muscle contractions, which lead to muscle hypertrophy and reduction in the subcutaneous fat layer, the Emsculpt device from BTL Industries Inc. (Boston, Mass.), was studied. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the device is intended to use on abdomen, buttocks, thighs, arms and calves. A retrospective analysis was conducted of the Emsculpt’s clinical and commercial impact on two different private practices (one facial plastic surgery practice and one medical spa focusing on non-invasive aesthetic medicine) and there was suc- cessful implementation of the device in these practices. The goal was to gain better insight into how the device affects the course of the practices. The different focus of the assessed practices enabled a comparison between two separate and distinct approaches in implementing the device into the existing portfolio. Methods A retrospective review was conducted on a complete set of patient data based on patients who underwent the HIFEM treatments between September 2018 and February 2020 in a facial plastic surgery clinic (Michael A. Persky MD, FACS), as well as the medical spa (Ovation Med Spa). Both practices purchased the device one month apart from each other. The time range thus corresponded to the first 18-19 months of the device in their practices. Collected data included overall statistics such as a total of treated patients, a total of performed treatments, and an average number of treatments per patient. Patient data described age, gender and ethnicity. The clinical set of data was analyzed for body parts distribution, as well as their dependence on age and sex. Safety and patient satisfaction was discussed, and the commercial impact on the clinic was explored. The facial plastic surgery clinic primarily focuses on procedures for rejuvenation and enhancement of facial appearance like otoplasty, mentoplasty, rhinoplasty and blepharoplasty. The HIFEM procedure is offered as a standalone body contouring procedure, which is part of their complemen- tary nonsurgical body contouring portfolio. The primary customers are patients who desire natural facial rejuvenation either through plastic surgery or minimally invasive procedures. On the other hand, in the medical spa, the non-invasive body contouring procedures are a significant part of their portfolio. The HIFEM procedure is primarily offered as muscle building technology allowing patients to look, feel and perform better, and get stronger. In both practices, the patients schedule a consultation with the provider to discuss their goals and set realistic expectations for the treatment outcomes. The patient’s medical history is reviewed beforehand to prevent magnetic field application on patients with contraindications. Then a treatment plan is established to meet the goals and expecta- tions. Before the treatment, patients are instructed to hydrate and not to eat right before the procedure. Post-treatment instruc- tions include maintaining a proper hydration level and not doing a heavy workout of the treated area on the same day. Before and three months after treatment with Emsculpt Photos courtesy of Carolyn DeLucia, MD