Treatment comparison
Body Contouring (InShape) vs Fat Reduction (LipoContrast)
InShape vs LipoContrast at The London Road Clinic, Newark. Compare muscle toning and fat reduction body treatments, and find out which addresses your specific body concern.
Side by side
At a glance
| Compare | Body Contouring (InShape) | Fat Reduction (LipoContrast) |
|---|---|---|
| What it targets | Muscle tone and visible definition | Localised, pinchable fat pockets |
| How it works | Focused electromagnetic energy triggers supramaximal muscle contractions, far more intense than voluntary exercise | Triple thermal shock cycle (heat, intense cold, heat) triggers fat-cell apoptosis; the body gradually clears treated cells over the following weeks |
| Primary goal | More visible muscle tone and body definition | Reduction in localised fat volume and improved body contour |
| Who it is for | Adults close to their goal weight who want better tone and definition in specific areas | Adults close to their goal weight with stubborn localised fat pockets in defined areas |
| Sessions needed | Short course recommended for visible shaping | Typically 1 to 3 sessions per area, spaced around 4 weeks apart |
| Session length | Fast, clothes-on session | Around 1 hour per area |
| Downtime | None; mild post-session muscle soreness is normal | Minimal; temporary redness, numbness or tenderness can follow treatment |
| Results timeline | Progressive improvement over 4 to 8 weeks after a course | Gradual change over 2 to 8 or more weeks as the body clears treated fat cells |
| Long-term | Best maintained with exercise, lifestyle and periodic top-ups as advised | Can be long-lasting if weight remains stable |
| Price from | From £135 | From £175 |
The science
How each treatment works
Body Contouring (InShape)
InShape delivers focused electromagnetic energy to trigger supramaximal muscle contractions, the kind of intense, involuntary contraction that is not achievable through exercise alone. Targeted at areas such as the abs, glutes, thighs or arms, these contractions are designed to build visible tone and muscle definition over a short course of sessions.
Full Body Contouring (InShape) details →Fat Reduction (LipoContrast)
LipoContrast uses a triple thermal shock cycle, heating the tissue, then cooling it intensely, then heating again, to target stubborn, pinchable fat in a defined area. This controlled process is designed to trigger fat-cell apoptosis, prompting the body to gradually clear the affected cells over the following weeks. It is a treatment for contour refinement, not weight loss, and works best in areas with clearly defined fat pockets.
Full Fat Reduction (LipoContrast) details →Clinical perspective
Which is right for you?
Two different tissues, two different treatments
InShape works on muscle. LipoContrast works on fat. The two are not interchangeable, and the right choice depends on which tissue is driving your concern.
InShape uses focused electromagnetic energy to trigger supramaximal muscle contractions: the kind of intense, involuntary contractions that cannot be achieved through exercise alone. The goal is more visible muscle tone and definition in areas such as the abdomen, glutes, thighs or arms. It is not a fat treatment, and it works best in people already close to their goal weight who want to develop what is already there. LipoContrast uses a triple thermal shock cycle to trigger fat-cell apoptosis in a defined area. The body then gradually clears the treated cells over weeks. It is designed for localised, pinchable fat pockets in areas such as the lower abdomen, flanks, thighs, arms or back rolls that have not responded to diet and exercise.
The question that points you to the right one
Is the concern about definition, or about a specific pocket of fat you want reduced? Those are different problems and they need different tools.
If you have adequate fat reduction but want more visible muscle shape in a specific area, InShape is the more relevant treatment. If you have a defined, pinchable fat pocket you want to reduce, LipoContrast is the more targeted choice. Neither is a weight-loss treatment, and both work best when the area of concern is clearly defined. Your clinician will assess suitability and confirm which is appropriate at consultation.
They can also work together
Many people have both concerns in different areas. InShape and LipoContrast can form complementary parts of the same body-treatment programme.
LipoContrast might address a fat pocket in one area while InShape develops visible muscle definition in the same or an adjacent zone. The sequence and combination depend on your specific goals. Your clinician will advise on the most effective programme based on what you want to achieve and what your body presents.
Finding the right fit
Who each treatment suits
Body Contouring (InShape)
- Adults who are close to their goal weight and training consistently, but want more visible muscle definition in areas such as the abs, glutes or thighs
- Those looking to complement their training with a non-surgical option that accelerates visible toning
- Those who want a fast, clothes-on treatment with no downtime
Fat Reduction (LipoContrast)
- Adults close to their goal weight who have a localised, pinchable fat pocket in a defined area that has not responded to exercise or diet
- Those who want to refine body contour in areas such as the lower abdomen, flanks, arms or back rolls
- Those who can accommodate a gradual result over 2 to 8 weeks as the body processes treated fat cells
Common questions
Frequently asked
What is the main difference between InShape and LipoContrast?
Will either of these treatments help with weight loss?
Can InShape and LipoContrast be used together?
How long do results last with each treatment?
Is InShape suitable if I have a lot of fat to lose?
What does LipoContrast feel like during treatment?
Is there downtime after either treatment?
Explore each treatment
Read the full treatment details
65 London Road, Newark
Still not sure which is right for you?
Your clinician will assess your skin, talk through both options and give you an honest recommendation, including if neither is the right choice. No obligation to proceed.
Medically reviewed by Dr Shahe Boghossian, Medical Consultant, GMC 5204600 . Last reviewed 23 May 2026.
