High Intensity Focused Electromagnetic Energy
High-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) treatment is a non-invasive body-contouring technology that uses rapidly changing electromagnetic fields to make muscles contract far more intensely than they can during voluntary exercise.
What happens during treatment?
A device is placed on the skin over the target muscle group (commonly the abdomen, buttocks, thighs, arms, or calves). It generates a strong electromagnetic field that passes through the skin and fat to stimulate motor nerves.
This causes what’s called supramaximal muscle contractions—very powerful contractions that are difficult or impossible to achieve through normal exercise.
What does this do to the muscles?
The repeated intense contractions force the muscles to adapt by:
- Increasing muscle fiber size (hypertrophy)
- Potentially increasing the number of muscle fibers (hyperplasia), although evidence for this in humans is less certain
- Improving muscle strength and tone
A typical 30-minute session may produce the equivalent of tens of thousands of muscle contractions.
What happens to fat?
The intense muscle activity greatly increases the muscles’ energy demand. This may contribute to:
- Breakdown of nearby fat cells
- Gradual removal of damaged fat cells by the body’s natural processes over several weeks
The fat-reduction effect is generally modest and is considered a secondary benefit compared with muscle strengthening.
What results can people expect?
Clinical studies have found that many people experience:
- Improved muscle definition
- A firmer appearance
- Small reductions in fat thickness in the treated area
Results usually develop over 2–8 weeks after completing a series of treatments and vary depending on body composition, exercise habits, and diet.