I tried a non-invasive body contouring treatment at Illuminate Medispa for the first time to target stubborn fat

Deep-cleansing facials for skin glow? Check. Hair and scalp treatments to get rid of oil and gunk? Done and dusted, too. On my ever-growing list of beauty treatments to try, body contouring was next. So when the chance to try a body sculpting treatment at Illuminate Medispa Dempsey came around, I was down in a heartbeat. Said to target localised fat and cellulite while tightening skin, this non-invasive treatment gave me some hope for my stubborn belly fat. Come along for a peek into my first experience.

Illuminate Medispa Dempsey: Details at a glance

Best for: A private resort-style setting for beauty and wellness experiences
Price: Onda Pro V first trial at $188; Onda Pro V from $280 per face session and $380 per body session
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 10am to 7pm; Saturday, 10am to 5pm
Address: Illuminate Medispa Dempsey, #01-05, 13 Dempsey Road, Singapore 249674

A chic resort-style medispa in Dempsey

Dempsey is one of those areas in Singapore with an air of exclusivity. Perhaps it’s the slightly obscure location, or the abundance of lush foliage, but the medispa felt a tad more polished and chic when I went for my appointment.

Housed in a 10,000 sq ft standalone bungalow, the space is hard to miss. Once you step foot inside, you’ll be greeted by plush sofa chairs, wooden and rattan furnishing, and calming pops of greenery. Picture a relaxing, resort-style space that instantly impresses, especially if you’re coveting a rejuvenating escape.

I changed into a pair of rattan sandals before entering, and the friendly staff was ready to welcome me. I filled in a quick and standard medical and background history form, and swiftly started the treatment.

Meet the Onda Pro V technology

As I was eyeing a treatment that could help lift and tighten my body, the Onda Pro V treatment was recommended to me. Suitable for both the face and body, it is a non-invasive procedure that aims to target stubborn areas like the stomach, thighs, double chin and loose skin.

The treatment works by using a patented Coolwaves microwave technology to target fat cells beneath the skin, while stimulating collagen production for firmer and smoother skin texture. Fun fact: the device emits controlled microwaves at 2.45 GHz – aka the frequency that fat molecules prefer to absorb!

I was initially concerned about any pain or discomfort, but the staff assured me otherwise. As the Coolwaves are mainly absorbed by fat tissues, rather than the surrounding skin, this reduces any risk of heat damage on the skin. Plus, the handpieces are equipped with a skin cooling system for extra comfort.

My first experience trying a body contour treatment

Before kicking things off, my assigned therapist took some ‘before’ photos for comparison and did a quick pinch test of my belly. As a rule of thumb, suitable candidates include those with pinchable fat layers that are less than 6cm, but more than 1cm and 2cm for chin and body respectively.

Based on the existing amount of fat and cellulite one has, and the targeted area, the Onda Pro V machine can cleverly recommend an automated treatment setting and duration. The system operates on three modes – fat reduction, cellulite targeting and skin tightening – with the option of doing a combination treatment.

I was recommended a fat reduction session of about 10 minutes for my stomach area. As I was expecting to spend at least 30 minutes in the treatment room, the efficiency actually took me by surprise.

Using a specialised handpiece, the therapist gently worked her way around my stomach area. True to her reassurance, the entire process was without pain. I would describe it as gliding a small block of ice across my stomach – safe for a slight coldness, I didn’t feel any uncomfortable sensations. The session was done in a jiffy, and it ended with a gentle massage of the stomach area and some ‘after’ photos.

Individual results and experience may vary, but it is said to have minimal downtime. Personally, I didn’t experience any disruption to my routine. I was advised to avoid any extreme hot or cold environments (think hot yoga classes, hot showers, saunas and ice baths) and hydrate plenty.

Verdict on my first body contouring treatment

Post-treatment, my therapist went through my ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos with me. No surprise there, the immediate difference was negligible. As someone with my fair share of beauty and aesthetic treatment experience, I was fully expecting it – after all, it takes time to see visible results. For long-lasting change, the team at Illuminate Medispa Dempsey recommends at least three to four consistent sessions, with an average interval of four weeks in between.

Let’s talk about prices, too. The Onda V Pro treatment starts from $280 per face session and $380 per body session, with a limited-time first trial at $188. Even though the ambience at Illuminate Medispa Dempsey feels premium enough, I was pleasantly surprised that the treatment prices fall on the lower end when compared to similar face and body sculpting treatments.

While it’s too early to determine if the Onda V Pro technology works for body sculpting, I can vouch for how comfortable and efficient the process is. The entire treatment felt comfortable and took me 30 minutes, tops – including registration and consultation.

My overall verdict? If you’re a busy bee dealing with stubborn areas of fat and cellulite, and have extra cash to splash out, I reckon it’s worth giving this treatment a try.