In 2006 and 2007, two new devices came on the market that can melt fat painlessly and harmlessly.
They are non-invasive and involve no downtime.

The first was the Accent. This device melts fat using a new patented method of applying radio waves.

The second device is the Ultrashape. It uses ultrasound to destroy fat cells.
 
How does Accent work?
The Accent device applies an intense field of radio waves through the hand piece that is held directly on the skin.
Radio waves induce electrical current in the tissue. This current flows freely through blood and muscles, and it has no effect. Fat resists the flow of electricity, and this creates heat.
The fat is heated to between 40C and 45C, melting fat and shrinking fat cells.
The fat that is released is excreted, metabolized and redistributed.

How does the Ultrashape work?
The Ultrashape uses ultrasound waves that are focused on a single spot about 1.5 cm below the skin surface. The ultrasound waves converge on this single spot creating intense vibrations of fat cells. This ruptures and kills them.

The frequency of vibration affects only fat cells.
Surrounding nerves and blood vessels are unharmed.

The fat that is released is excreted, metabolized and redistributed.

Why do you have two machines for doing body contouring?
These two devices are different in several ways.
Ultrashape only treats fat. Accent treats fat and tightens skin. And this makes the Accent great at treating cellulite. The Ultrashape doesn't help cellulite.

Ultrashape can only be used on fat that is about an inch thick and thicker. Accent can treat fat of any thickness.
Ultrashape is much faster at fat melting than the Accent, making it better for thick fat and larger areas. 

The Accent can treat small areas like double chins abd jowls. Ultrashape can't.

You can start with the Ultrashape for quick results in thick fat, then switch to Accent once the fat is too thin for the Ultrashape. Then you can finish off with the Accent for skin tightening over the area of fat loss. Having both devices is a big plus!

 
What areas can be treated?
The Accent hand piece is small so it can be used to treat any area of localized fat.
This includes love handles, saddle bags, tummies, inner thighs, double chins, jowls, and virtually any other area you want to treat. We will not treat over the thyroid, near the eyes, or over the heart.

The Ultrashape hand piece is much larger. It cannot treat small areas.
Most treatments are done on tummies, love handles, and saddle bags. It will miss the top two inches of inner thighs.

Who is a good candidate for body contouring?
The ideal candidate is at or close to his or her ideal body weight, eats well, and is active.
People with pacemakers cannot be treated.  
The induced electrical current can shut down the pacemaker.
In people with implanted metals such as plates and rods, the Accent can induce electrical current in the metal.
This is not harmful, but it could be painful.
 
How are treatments done?
The Accent requires no preparation. A light coating of mineral oil is applied to the skin.
The Accent hand piece is applied to the skin.
The technician starts to move the hand piece around in lines and circles over the area to be treated and energy is applied for 30 seconds while the movement continues.
During this time a gentle warming sensation will begin.
The temperature is measured by a laser thermometer after each thirty second period.
When the target temperature is reached, several more thirty second passes are made over the area.
It takes about 30 minutes to cover an area about the size of two handprints.
Love handles would take about 30 minutes. Tummy would take 30-60 minutes to treat. 

The Ultrashape requires careful patient positioning and marking, because the machine has a sophisticated tracking system that prevents the operator from over-treating an area, which could lead to uneven results.
Once positioning is done, oil is applied. The hand piece is placed on your skin, the tracking system confirms the location, and a single pulse is delivered.
The hand piece is shifted slightly (about one centimeter), the tracking system again confirms the location, and another pulse is delivered. This is repeated 800 to 1000 times per session depending on the area to be treated.

How long do sessions take?
Accent sessions are 30 to 60 minutes. Ultrashape treatments are 60 to 90 minutes.

How much does body contouring hurt?
Accent therapy is almost painless. All you feel is warmth and the massage of the moving hand piece.
There is also no sound.
Occasionally, the treated area heats up more quickly than expected and you might feel a brief hot sensation.
At its very worst you might experience one or two moments per treatment when you get a shot of pain something like picking up a hot mug of coffee. Just like the coffee mug, it hurts for a second, but there is no skin injury.

Likewise, Ultrashape treatments are very comfortable. Most people feel nothing. Some experience mild discomfort.

What can I expect following therapy?
Your skin will be red for an hour or two, and that’s all. Imagine putting a hot water bottle on your tummy for a while.
It will cause redness that will resolve quite quickly.
 
How long does it take to see results, and how many treatments will be required?
With the Accent, about 50% of people can see a change after the third session. Results might be noticeable within two weeks of the first treatment, but this varies from person to person.
Most commonly Accent requires 3-6 sessions for body contouring, but it may require as many as ten sessions to achieve the desired result.

With the Ultrashape, most people can see a difference about a week after the first treatment.
Studies have shown an average loss in circumference of about 2cm per treatment, and an average decrease in fat thickness of 2cm following three sessions. 
 
Are maintenance sessions required?
No. Fat cells that are killed will not be replaced. If you gain weight, it will be evenly distributed over the body.
 
What are the risks of body contouring?
Virtually nothing.

The Accent uses radio waves. These waves are part of the electromagnetic spectrum.
They are way beyond visible light and beyond infrared light and microwaves. They are harmless.
They are bombarding all of us every day from the sun and from every radio station within listening distance.
It is possible to cause some pain if your tissue heats up too far, but heating is gradual, and there is lots of warning that you are getting too warm. Burns are virtually impossible.
If the Accent hand piece loses contact with the skin while the energy is flowing, it can cause a sparking sensation that hurts a bit, but this will not create a burn.
The design of the hand piece makes sparking extremely unlikely.

The Ultrashape uses harmless sound waves. Studies have shown that it only affects fat. Other tissue is unaffected.
In the first two years of use two people got one small blister each.  
 
How should I care for my skin following treatment?
There are no special skin care requirements following your treatment. You just wipe the mineral oil off and away you go.