Mission, Slimpossible: How effective are these 8 non-invasive slimming treatments?

by Sasha B and Louisa Lim

Can you really lose inches without breaking a sweat? That’s the promise behind a growing wave of non-invasive slimming treatments.

From fat-freezing to muscle-toning technologies, they claim to sculpt your body with zero downtime and minimal effort. It sounds almost too good to be true — so we decided to try eight of the most popular slimming treatments available in Singapore.

Some were surprisingly effective. Others, less so. And almost all came with caveats that glossy ads never mention.

Losing inches need not be painful or difficult. CREDIT: FUU J.

How They Work

At their core, these treatments target subcutaneous fat — the layer just beneath the skin. Depending on the device, fat cells are frozen, heated, shaken apart with ultrasound, or zapped with electromagnetic energy. Once broken down, they’re flushed out naturally through sweat, urine, or bowel movements.

The catch? Each technology works a little differently, requires multiple sessions, and often delivers subtle changes rather than dramatic transformations.

Some treatments can also be combined to enhance results and deliver a more synergistic effect. Not only that, these treatments may not be suitable for everyone, particularly those who are suffering from underlying health conditions such as heart disease or diabetes. If unsure, it’s best to consult with a medical doctor before signing up.Now, here’s how the eight treatments we tested stacked up.

1. EMSculpt NEO (HIFEM+ and radiofrequency)

WHO: EMSculpt NEO, which combines HIFEM+ technology with radiofrequency, is best suited for individuals who are near their goal weight but want to reduce stubborn fat and improve muscle definition. It’s also supposed to be a helpful option for postpartum women aiming to rebuild core strength and address abdominal muscle separation (diastasis recti).

HOW: The combination of high-intensity focused electromagnetic energy (HIFEM+) and Synchronized Radiofrequency (RF) claims to deliver over 20,000 muscle contractions in a single session, which is comparable to doing 20,000 crunches and 12–16 weeks of resistance training, but achieved in 30-minute sessions.

WHAT: This particular session was offered as a complimentary add-on to a paid facial. You’ll be strapped into a belt that delivers electrical pulses to your abdominal muscles, creating a peculiar but amusing sensation as your abs contract involuntarily. The intensity can be customised based on your comfort level.

THE VERDICT: Both EMSculpt NEO and EMFace — the latter designed specifically to tone and tighten facial muscles — have received glowing reviews from users and medical professionals, with numerous clinical studies backing their efficacy. I’ve even heard EMFace can aid recovery from conditions like Bell’s Palsy, so I figured it could do wonders for the body too. After my session, I felt a mild ache (not pain), which I took as a sign my abs had been activated. Still, one session isn’t enough to see visible changes — you’ll need 4 to 8 weekly sessions to benefit. 

2. Onda (Coolwaves)

WHO: Using controlled microwave energy to target fat cells in deeper layers of skin, Onda is supposed to be great for treating pinchable fat on areas like the thighs, stomach, and back, while also helping to reduce cellulite and tighten the skin.

HOW: The treatment uses two applicators: one designed for deeper fat reduction and another for surface-level skin tightening. The aesthetician will mark the target areas, apply a cooling gel, and begin with the larger applicator for deeper penetration, followed by the smaller one to tone and tighten your skin. You’ll first feel a cooling sensation that gradually warms up during the session.

WHAT: The session lasted around 30 minutes and was painless at first, though it became increasingly warm and slightly uncomfortable toward the end (about 4/10 in terms of discomfort). Fortunately, the heat and energy levels are adjustable, so I asked the aesthetician to dial it down — especially after being traumatised by a previous CFU Ultima treatment (see below)! I also found the second, more superficial applicator slightly more uncomfortable, likely because my skin had already heated up by then. That said, the therapist mentioned that most clients find the treatment relaxing enough to fall asleep.

THE VERDICT: I completed four sessions over a span of six months but saw minimal results, likely due to consistently low energy settings and the irregular spacing between treatments, which are ideally scheduled every 3 to 4 weeks. If you can’t commit to this timeline because of a busy schedule, Onda may not be worth it, as the results can be underwhelming.

3. CoolSculpting / Zeltiq

WHO: CoolSculpting or Zeltiq is a machine that uses cooling to create cryolipolysis (killing of fat cells using extremely low temperatures). It’s unsuitable for individuals with medical conditions linked to cold sensitivity or blood clotting issues and claims to be effective for those who are near their target weight but struggle with isolated pockets of fat that don’t respond to diet and exercise.

HOW: The doctor marks out the area that the device will attach to your body. Common areas are the tummy, love handles, upper arms, thighs, and lower back. Commonly, two applicators will be used at the same time. You will feel suction and extreme cooling in those receptacles, along with numbing.

WHAT: The session lasted 45 minutes, with discomfort at about 3/10. My tummy felt numb to the touch and the suction was strong. I even heard some of my fat “pop” during the process, which made me optimistic it was working. The real challenge came afterward — the pain was intense, around 8/10, worsening over the first week before gradually subsiding in the second.

THE VERDICT: I’d say this treatment is best suited for someone with a high pain tolerance. Ideally, you should plan to rest at home during the recovery period — I had to go to work, and the lingering pain made it very distracting. It took about 3 to 4 weeks before I noticed visible changes in my tummy, and people even began commenting that I looked slimmer. To maintain results, you’ll need to commit to continuous sessions over a 4-month period. Personally, the post-treatment pain was too much for me. A friend with a higher pain threshold, however, described the sensation as more of a “freezer burn” — uncomfortable, but manageable.

The editor tries Only Aesthetucs' sculpt AI, which uses radiofrequency therapy to tone the body

4. Zerona (Low-Level Laser Therapy)

WHO: Low-Level Laser Therapy, which uses low-level lasers to reduce the size of fat deposits, tends to deliver better results in people with firm, elastic skin. In contrast, those with looser skin — commonly seen with age — may experience less noticeable improvements.

HOW: You don’t have to go to a certified doctor or plastic surgeon for the treatment – an aesthetic salon or clinic will do. The aesthetician covers the areas of your body with towels to prevent the laser from passing through to areas such as your face or chest. Zerona lasers are then directed at your body in a criss-cross pattern to help shrink fat cells and reduce overall fat volume.

WHAT: The discomfort level was 0/10 — I couldn’t feel a thing on my tummy where the lasers were working. Aside from a few popping sensations in my belly, the 30-minute session was so relaxing that I fell asleep once my face and eyes were covered. Post-session recovery was a solid 10/10: no pain and no downtime, unlike Zeltiq. I even saw immediate results, with the aesthetician measuring 0.5 cm off my waist and my tummy fat feeling noticeably softer, ready to be flushed out through natural processes like bathroom visits and sweating. The only drawback was two days of nausea and diarrhoea as my body eliminated the fat.

THE VERDICT: I’d rate this an 8/10 for downtime, effect, and pricing. Even my colleagues noticed I looked slimmer — one was so convinced, they booked a Zerona session themselves after my recommendation.

5. Vanquish ME / Exilis Ultra

WHO: Designed to address large body areas like your entire midsection or thighs in one go, Vanquish ME, or Exilis Ultra as it is also known, uses soundwaves and radiofrequency to target fat deposits and tighten skin in your stomach, thighs, upper arms, and love handles.

HOW: Clinics offering Vanquish ME treatments must be certified, and the procedure is performed only by trained aestheticians. Large, flat panels attached to a mechanical arm are positioned just above the target areas — typically where cellulite or stubborn fat deposits are located. Throughout the 30- to 45-minute session, you’ll feel a gentle warming sensation as the device emits radiofrequency waves to safely heat and shrink fat cells in the treatment area.

WHAT: Of all the procedures, this was the most painless and fuss-free. Downtime was practically nothing (1/10), though some clients have occasionally reported minor burns, which are very rare. A flat arm hovered over my problem areas like the belly and thighs, radiating a gentle warmth that felt almost like lying on a tanning bed.

THE VERDICT: Even though it’s the most fuss-free, this procedure seemed to require the most repeat visits before any difference could be seen. After just one session, I didn’t notice any changes — especially when compared to laser lipo (see below), which immediately softened my stubborn tummy fat. I can’t draw a firm conclusion yet, but it’s clear more sessions are needed to tell if it really works.

6. Laser Lipo

WHO: Developed as an alternative to traditional liposuction, laser lipo is ideal for those with small, stubborn fat pockets and firm, elastic skin. It involves placing several laser-emitting pads directly onto target areas. These lasers are supposed to work beneath the surface of the skin to break down fat cells.

HOW: The laser lipo pads are spread around your tummy, thighs, or upper arms. A warm sensation is felt after the session, which lasts around 15 to 30 minutes depending on the clinic and the strength of the lasers. The lasers eliminate the fat in the fat pockets under your skin and liquefy them, and sweating through exercise will help to speed up the elimination process. Unlike CoolSculpting or Zeltiq, the fat pocket is not eliminated entirely (cryolipolysis) but the fat inside the pocket is “melted” and passed out of your system.

WHAT: This was the procedure where I saw the most noticeable results, even after just two sessions. My skin looked tighter, my waistline slightly slimmer, and my stubborn stomach fat took on a “jelly-like” texture — a good sign, since liquefied fat passes through the system more easily.

THE VERDICT: This was my favourite treatment overall. Results become visible about 3 to 4 weeks after the first session, but you’ll need to commit to at least two sessions spaced over three weeks.

7. CFU Ultima / Ultraformer III / Liposonix (HIFU)

WHO: You should have at least a normal weight condition with a body mass index below 30 and at least 2.5 cm of pinchable fat to benefit from the treatment, which uses high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) technology to target certain areas.

HOW: High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is used to target stubborn fat in areas like the abdomen and love handles. Unlike facial HIFU treatments, it typically uses a larger applicator to cover broader surface areas more effectively. The device delivers precise ultrasound energy deep beneath the skin — without harming the surface — heating tissues up to 75°C. This breaks down fat cells while simultaneously stimulating collagen production, helping to tighten and firm the skin. Each session usually lasts between 30–60 minutes.

WHAT: The aesthetician will run the applicator across your body quickly after applying a cooling gel. The device does not linger on one spot for long because it heats up very quickly and could potentially cause surface burns.

THE VERDICT: Maybe it’s because I don’t have much body fat, but the treatment was incredibly painful for me. I felt sharp, zapping sensations that occasionally felt like they were hitting my internal organs — it was intense enough that I had to stop halfway through. I later asked a petite friend with a higher pain threshold who also tried it, and she rated the pain an 8/10. Interestingly, she checked with a friend who has a fuller figure, and that friend said it didn’t hurt at all — in fact, she was so comfortable she fell asleep during the session!

8. Ultrasound Cavitation

WHO: Ultrasound Cavitation is designed for body contouring rather than weight loss and is best suited for individuals who are already close to their ideal weight. It uses a hand-held device that emits waves to break down fat deposits under the skin without bruising or harming the skin layer.

HOW: The aesthetician runs the hand-held device over your trouble areas. Depending on the type of machine, you might even hear a high-pitched sound in your ears as the treatment is taking place.

WHAT: The aesthetician was careful to use the device for only a couple of minutes at a time. Unlike more popular options, this treatment isn’t marketed heavily, which may explain its relative obscurity. Downtime-wise, it has none and leaves no visible bruising. During the session, you barely feel anything aside from the device on your skin and a faint ringing in your ears, which was slightly uncomfortable.

THE VERDICT: I suspect the Ultrasound Cavitation machine can cause bruising if used for too long, which is why the aesthetician only applies it for a couple of minutes at a time. After nearly 12 sessions over the course of a year, I found that other treatments delivered better results. Changes after each session were minimal, and even after many months, there were no visible improvements.