High-intensity focused electromagnetic field plus radiofrequency improves upper arm toning

ByRebecca L. Forand

Fact checked byKristen Dowd

DENVER — High-intensity focused electromagnetic field plus radiofrequency was well tolerated and effective in reducing fat and increasing muscle in the upper arms, according to a study presented here.

“Nobody likes bat wings. ... We know that subcutaneous fat in the arm is difficult to reduce, even if you are doing weight training, exercise and diet and lifestyle changes. A lot of it is genetic,” Carolyn I. Jacob, MD, FAAD, of Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology, said during a presentation at the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Annual Meeting.

DERM1022ASDS_Jacob_Graphic_01 — High-intensity focused electromagnetic field plus radiofrequency was well tolerated and effective in reducing fat and increasing muscle in the upper arms.

Flabbiness in the upper arms occurs often with aging as the metabolism slows down, fat accumulates, and muscles become deconditioned and atrophied.

This study enrolled 34 subjects who each received four 30-minute bilateral posterior upper arm treatments with high-intensity focused electromagnetic field (HIFEM), set to the maximum tolerable level, as well as radiofrequency (RF) set to 100% of the device’s output and adjusted with subject feedback.

Using MRI and digital photographs, subjects had an average increase of muscle thickness of 21.5% at 1 month and 23.9% at 3 months post-treatment.

Fat thickness was decreased by an average of 22.3% at 1 month follow-up and 25.5% at 3 months follow-up.

Treatment satisfaction was reported by 87% of patients, with 77% reporting noticeable toning in the upper arm and improvement in muscle and fat.

The treatment also had a high comfortability score with 91% of subjects finding it very comfortable.

“This is probably the only noninvasive device shown by MRI studies to create these kinds of effects after four treatments,” Jacob said.

Sources/Disclosures

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Source:

Jacob CI, et al. Upper arm toning and strengthening through simultaneous application of HIFEM and synchronized RF. Presented at: American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Annual Meeting; Oct. 6-10, 2022; Denver.

Disclosures: Jacob reports being a researcher, speaker or on the advisory board for AbbVie/Allergan, Alastin, BeShape, BTL, Croma, Galderma, Merz, PCA/Colgate and Solta.