When it comes to looking and feeling sculpted and healthy long-term, a holistic plan that incorporates food, sleep and fitness is the best approach. But few of us are without niggling problem areas, whether it's a little roll that pops out from beneath your bra strap, skin on the knees that ages us, or the last layer of fat that stops the stomach from being taut and toned.
 
An intensive course of treatments may seem like a fast-track cheat, but for impressive, lasting results, in-clinic professionals advise taking a multi-pronged approach for the best outcome. “Combining targeted exercise with advanced aesthetic treatments creates a synergistic effect, enhancing overall results,” enthuses Dr Ifeoma Ejikeme, EV Expert and Founder, Adonia Medical Clinic.

“While exercise improves circulation, muscle tone and overall health, aesthetic treatments can precisely target stubborn trouble spots that may not respond as effectively to exercise alone. This dual approach maximises the benefits, yielding faster and more noticeable improvements in body contouring and skin tightening.”

A strategy that brings together preferred fitness methods with cleverly-chosen clinical treatments allows you to slot in treatments around workouts and create a cohesive, complementary plan. And as well as seeing results more quickly, this approach also works as a great motivator, making it a win-win reward system.

Many body aesthetic treatments can be mixed and matched too–for example, muscle toning can be followed with skin tightening, or a slimmed-down silhouette may benefit from a course of collagen-boosting sessions to tackle cellulite. Trouble spots be gone…  

Toned upper arms with StimSure 

If endless bicep curls, tricep dips and push-ups aren’t giving the shapely guns you’ve been working towards, adding in electro-muscle stimulation (EMS) device will help get you there. This technology uses a gentle current conducted through adhesive pads to contract muscles at a rate that’s not possible naturally, so it’s like repeating reps on fast forward.

“EMS devices are excellent for sculpting saggy upper arms because they effectively target and activate muscles in this area,” explains EV Expert Dr Ioannis Liakas, Medical Director at Vie Aesthetics. “By delivering electrical impulses, these devices stimulate muscle contractions, leading to improved tone and definition. This is particularly beneficial for individuals looking to enhance the appearance of upper arms without invasive procedures or extensive downtime."

One example is StimSure, which will contract muscles 24,000 times over 30 minutes to strengthen and tighten, tackling droopy bingo wings. There’s no downtime and afterwards you’ll simply feel like you’ve had a good workout.

Refined back definition with Endermologie 

Often referred to as a French women’s wellness secret, this technique of mechanically stimulating many of our natural physiological processes has been around for decades but is now more sophisticated and customisable than ever.

Although most popular for treating cellulite, Endermologie can be applied all over the body and gives such impressive results when it comes to activating biological functions, that it can be used after aesthetic surgery to help speed healing. Using uniquely-designed heads that create a suction effect, wearing a net body suit allows the device to roll over and work on deep layers of the skin as well as the blood and lymph systems, to boost circulation and drainage.

As the back can be a tricky area to target correctly with weights, the silhouette-refining benefits of regular sessions have a slimming effect, while the treatment also encourages lipolysis by stimulating adipose, or fat cells, to break down and be flushed out of the body.

A sculpted stomach with Emsculpt Neo 

Taking a tandem approach to tackling stubborn tummy bulges, lingering layers of fat and abs that seem definition-adverse, EMS-based devices work fantastically well on the stomach by turbo-charging muscle contractions. Where this advanced version stands out is the incorporation of radio frequency, which causes apoptosis to disrupt fat cells as it heats up the subcutaneous fat layer.

“EmSculpt Neo is ideal for sculpting and shaping the abdomen due to its innovative combination of radio frequency and high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) energy,” advises Dr Ejikeme. “The dual-action technology not only eliminates stubborn fat but also builds muscle fibres, resulting in a more toned and defined midsection. Our clients can achieve significant improvements in abdominal contouring in a shorter timeframe compared to traditional methods, making it the go-to for those seeking efficient and noticeable results.”

Svelte thighs and buttocks with TempSure Firm 

While sessions of EMS and Endermologie are great options to pair with thigh and bottom-sculpting exercises of choice, energy-based radio frequency offers an alternative. Primarily thought of for the face as it ramps up collagen production and tightens skin, radio frequency (RF) works on dimpled, cellulite-prone flashpoints in a similar way, for results you might not have expected.

“Radio frequency treatments offer a non-invasive solution for addressing cellulite and lax skin on the bottom and thighs,” explains Dr Ejikeme. “RF energy penetrates deep into the skin, stimulating collagen production and promoting tissue tightening, which effectively reduces the appearance of cellulite and improves skin elasticity.” Moved over each area for around 20 minutes, an
option such as TempSure is a painless treatment with four recommended to see results.

Taut-skinned knees with HIFU 

Saggy-looking knees are more of a skin issue than a workout one, but it’s a common bugbear that can be addressed with skin-tightening treatments like high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). It works by heating the deeper layers to create a controlled injury that signals the skin to repair itself, stimulating new plumping collagen.

“HIFU is a great option for addressing saggy skin on the knees, utilising focused ultrasound energy to penetrate deep into the skin, targeting the foundational layers where collagen production occurs,” says Dr Liakas. “By stimulating collagen production, HIFU helps tighten and lift sagging skin on the knees, resulting in a more lifted and toned appearance. The treatment is non-invasive and a great option for those seeking skin tightening without the surgery." Fast and effective, it can take as little as one session to reveal rewards.