Many patients exploring non-surgical body contouring assume they need to choose between reducing stubborn fat and improving muscle definition. In reality, these treatments are designed to accomplish different goals—and for many patients, they work exceptionally well together.
At La Bella Laser & Slimming in Arcadia, we often meet patients who have reached or are close to their ideal weight but still struggle with areas that don’t seem to respond to diet and exercise. Some are bothered by pockets of stubborn fat, while others wish they had greater muscle definition. Understanding the difference between CoolSculpting® Elite and CoolTone® can help you determine whether one treatment—or a combination of both—may be right for your goals.
Understanding the Difference Between CoolSculpting® Elite and CoolTone®
Although both treatments are designed to improve body contours, they target completely different tissues.
| CoolSculpting® Elite | CoolTone® |
|---|---|
| Targets stubborn fat cells | Targets muscle tissue |
| Uses controlled cooling technology | Uses magnetic muscle stimulation (MMS) |
| Permanently reduces treated fat cells | Strengthens, tones, and firms muscles |
| Improves body contours | Enhances muscle definition |
| Non-surgical with no downtime | Non-surgical with no downtime |
Rather than competing with one another, these treatments often complement each other by addressing two different components of body contouring: fat reduction and muscle enhancement.
How Does CoolSculpting® Elite Work?
CoolSculpting Elite uses a process known as cryolipolysis, or controlled cooling, to target and freeze stubborn fat cells beneath the skin without damaging surrounding tissue. Over the weeks following treatment, your body naturally eliminates the treated fat cells through its normal metabolic processes.
Once these fat cells are removed, they do not regenerate, making CoolSculpting Elite an effective option for reducing localized areas of unwanted fat.
Common treatment areas include:
- Abdomen
- Flanks (“love handles”)
- Inner and outer thighs
- Upper arms
- Back and bra fat
- Under the chin
CoolSculpting Elite is designed for body contouring—not weight loss—and is best suited for patients who are already maintaining a healthy lifestyle but struggle with stubborn pockets of fat.
How Does CoolTone® Work?
While CoolSculpting Elite focuses on fat, CoolTone targets the muscles underneath. CoolTone uses Magnetic Muscle Stimulation (MMS) technology to trigger powerful muscle contractions that cannot be achieved through voluntary exercise alone. These contractions help strengthen, tone, and firm treated muscles while improving overall muscle definition.
CoolTone is commonly used to treat the:
- Abdomen
- Buttocks
- Thighs
Many patients choose CoolTone to complement their fitness routine by enhancing muscle tone in areas that are difficult to define through exercise alone.
Why Do CoolSculpting® Elite and CoolTone® Work So Well Together?
One treatment reduces what you don’t want. The other enhances what you do. Think of body contouring like sculpting a work of art. Reducing excess fat helps reveal your natural shape, while improving muscle tone creates greater definition beneath the surface. For many patients, combining these treatments allows for a more comprehensive approach to body contouring than either treatment alone.
For example:
- CoolSculpting Elite can reduce stubborn abdominal fat.
- CoolTone can strengthen and define the abdominal muscles beneath that area.
The result is often a smoother, more sculpted appearance that still looks completely natural. Because every patient’s body and goals are different, the ideal treatment plan is highly individualized.
Who May Benefit from Combining Treatments?
A combination approach may be an excellent option for patients who:
- Are close to their ideal body weight
- Maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine
- Have stubborn pockets of fat that resist lifestyle changes
- Want greater muscle definition
- Prefer non-surgical body contouring
- Have realistic expectations about treatment outcomes
During your consultation, your provider will evaluate your body composition, discuss your goals, and determine whether CoolSculpting Elite, CoolTone, or a combination of both treatments is most appropriate.
Which Treatment Should You Start With?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Some patients benefit from reducing stubborn fat first before enhancing muscle definition. Others may begin with CoolTone if muscle strengthening is their primary concern.
In some cases, treatments may be incorporated into a comprehensive body contouring plan based on your anatomy and aesthetic goals. Rather than following a predetermined sequence, your provider will develop a personalized treatment strategy designed specifically for you.
Why a Personalized Consultation Matters
Everybody is different, and successful body contouring starts with understanding your individual goals. At La Bella Laser & Slimming, we take the time to evaluate your concerns, explain your treatment options, and create a customized plan that aligns with your desired outcome.
Whether your goal is reducing stubborn fat, improving muscle definition, or achieving a more sculpted appearance through a combination of treatments, our experienced team will guide you every step of the way. Explore our CoolSculpting Elite, and CoolTone, pages to learn more.
Ready to Learn Which Body Contouring Treatment Is Right for You?
Proudly serving patients in Pasadena, Monrovia, Temple City and San Gabriel, schedule a complimentary CoolSculpting Elite or CoolTone consultation at La Bella Laser & Slimming in Arcadia and learn if non-surgical body contouring is right for you.