How do tummy tightening treatments work?

Each week, Sunday Life’s beauty director Stephanie Darling roadtests a different makeup or skincare trend to find out whether it’s worth your time. Ahead, a tummy-tightening treatment.

Road Test

I’m always up for tummy action so am at Platinum Dermatology for the latest Emsculpt Neo treatment.

The lowdown Emsculpt Neo is a non-invasive contouring treatment that uses high-intensity focused electromagnetic energy to build muscle, and radio frequencies to heat and destroy fat cells. Amazingly, one treatment equals 20,000 abdominal crunches, according to my dermatology nurse Ella. I lie on the bed while she straps two paddles onto my stomach and hits the start button. The first burst of energy is intense and I count 25 bursts before the second phase of electrical tapping kicks in to help disperse the built-up lactic acid. Each of the four phases is 7½ minutes long and after the half-way mark it gets easier.

Pain factor For my second session I take Panadol to help take the edge off.

Downtime The sessions take 30 minutes with four in total, spaced a week apart; and there is no downtime.

Results At four weeks, my core strength has improved, my waist size is reduced and my tummy is toned. The optimum results will kick in around the three-month mark. If I add an exercise routine, this will hasten results.

Where to get it Sydney: Dr Ritu Gupta, platinumdermatology.com.au. Cost: $4000 for four treatments. Melbourne: Eastern Plastic Surgery, easternplasticsurgery.com.au. Cost: $4499 for four treatments.

At home Try Fermio Nutritional Cleanse: a fibre-rich, probiotic blend of 88 wholefoods to de-bloat your gut.