As far as taking care of my body goes, I’m not exactly low maintenance. I regularly lift weights and try to get in pilates when I can, and I aim to eat a balanced diet. But in spite of this, I still found myself deeply self-conscious about the cellulite and dimpling on my upper thighs. Popular wisdom would indicate that there is only so much that you can do, and while getting even more active (I will concede, there are a lot of days where I am far too sedentary for comfort) and doing regular manual lymphatic drainage on myself is something I hope to work in, this past winter I found myself wondering if there was something else that I could do to make a bit more of a difference.
Along came an opportunity from Sage + Sound on the Upper East Side to try their T-Shape 2 device, and I jumped at the chance. At first glance, the high tech FDA-approved machine leverages four technologies (low level laser therapy, radio frequency, mesospheric activation, and endodermic massage) all of which work together to reduce fluid retention, drain lymph, tighten the skin, and help the body eliminate fat tissue in areas like the abdomen, hips, arms, and thighs. Color me intrigued. I’ve tried other devices before that I’ve seen immediate impact with, but as someone who struggles with thickened fascia on my upper thigh area, plus water retention, while also carrying my weight in my thighs and butt, I figured that this might be a new tool in my self-care routine that I would use regularly.
After I headed uptown for my first appointment, and subsequently for five more sessions over a two month period, I can happily report that I saw a major difference in the tone and texture of my legs when I headed out for Hawaii at the beginning of April. So much so that I even wore a minidress, something I haven’t done since about 2021. It’s important to note that while these treatments were indeed super effective, they aren’t permanent, and it’s good to keep that in mind up front. I had a period of time where I couldn’t exercise in May and June, and as a result gained some weight, but I still see a difference, particularly in the area by my knees where I sneakily had a lot of water retention. And the deep pitting in my upper thigh area, particularly on my right side, is significantly less dimpled than it was prior to these treatments.
The experience of the T-Shape 2 is non-invasive, but I should note that there were times where the combination of the suction and mesospheric rolling was a bit uncomfortable. There is a warming sensation from the radio frequency and low level laser therapy, but it’s certainly not painful. After some sessions, I had bruising, but it resolved relatively quickly, and by the end, I wasn’t getting bruised at all. Other than that, there isn’t any downtime required. By two sessions there was also notable impact on how much fluid retention I had, and by the half-way mark, considerably less sag on my inner thighs. I even noticed that on days when I was experiencing tightness and tension in my shoulders and neck, the process of the T-shape 2 treatment would both unwind tension in my legs that I couldn’t sense and have the rest of my body ache free by the time I left. It was kind of wild. It didn’t really end up feeling like I was getting a body sculpting treatment, but rather indulging in regular self-care that just happened to have visual effects.
All in all, I left the experience convinced of its efficacy, and further, certain that if I had did more treatments for maintenance, I would continue to see improvement in my shape and tone of my legs going forward. I will certainly be going back and utilizing T-Shape 2 in the future, particularly ahead of major events. The confidence boost is tough to beat.
Below, Micaela Rios-O’Leary, Lead Lymphatic Therapist & Trainer at Sage + Sound, shares how the T-Shape 2 is different from other body-sculpting treatments and more.
How does the T-Shape 2 works? What is mesopheric activation and endodermic massage, and what are they meant to treat? How do they work with LLLT and radio frequency to sculpt, and reduce the appearance of cellulite?
T-Shape 2 is a non-invasive body-sculpting device combining four advanced technologies—Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), Bipolar Radiofrequency (RF), Mesospheric Activation, and Endodermic Massage—to reduce cellulite, contour the body, and firm skin. Mesospheric Activation uses gentle vibrations to improve circulation, oxygenate tissues, and naturally break down fat, reducing fluid retention and enhancing skin texture. Endodermic Massage employs vacuum-assisted suction to lift and massage the skin, promoting lymphatic drainage, improving circulation, and smoothing connective tissue to visibly reduce cellulite and boost skin elasticity. LLLT gently dissolves fat cells for natural elimination, while RF heats deeper layers of skin to stimulate collagen and elastin, tightening and smoothing the surface.
Together, these technologies effectively sculpt, tone, and enhance overall skin appearance.
How quickly can people see results, and why is an every-three-day schedule over four weeks ideal?
Clients often see improved contouring and smoother skin after just one session. For optimal, lasting results, treatments twice weekly are ideal. Typically, six sessions effectively begin the tissue remodeling process, though those with more pronounced cellulite or larger areas may require twelve sessions, ideally paired with manual lymphatic drainage massage for enhanced outcomes.
How does T-Shape 2 differ from other body contouring devices?
It stands out because of its multi-technology approach, and addresses multiple issues. Unlike other devices using a single method, T-Shape 2 combines radio frequency (RF), low-level laser therapy (LLLT), mechanical vibrations, and vacuum massage. This combination effectively reduces fat, tightens skin, and promotes lymphatic drainage, often providing faster and more noticeable results compared to traditional treatments that only focus on fat reduction.
Why might someone choose T-Shape 2 instead of lymphatic massage alone, and can they be used together?
Clients typically choose T-Shape 2 to address specific body concerns, such as stubborn fat deposits or skin laxity that resists diet and exercise. T-Shape not only helps reduce fat but also tightens and tones the skin. Combining T-Shape treatments with manual lymphatic drainage massage is highly beneficial, as the massage enhances the body’s natural detox process, efficiently clearing out fat and metabolic waste released during T-Shape sessions.
How long do results last, who is the ideal candidate, and how often should they get treatments to maintain results?
Ideal T-Shape clients are healthy individuals seeking non-invasive solutions for body contouring and skin tightening, particularly those dealing with cellulite or stubborn fat. Best results are achieved through an initial series of regular sessions, followed by quarterly maintenance treatments to sustain and prolong improvements.
Roxanne Adamiyatt is the Deputy Digital Lifestyle Director at Town & Country, spearheading style coverage for the web, with a focus on everything from fashion & accessories, jewelry, beauty & wellness, home & design, and even sometimes travel. In her role, Roxanne regularly contributes pieces for the print magazine, often on the intersection of social media and luxury. For example: the new class of watch influencers shifting the markets, and why some blondes are style mavens from beyond the grave. Previously, she held the role of senior digital editor from 2018-2022. Prior to her time at T&C, Roxanne was the beauty & fashion editor at Us Weekly, and before that, she was a beauty editor at InStyle.com/mimi. A life-long New Yorker, Roxanne received her ungraduated degree from Barnard College and her MS from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. When she’s not attending market appointments and writing about trends, you can find her scouring the internet (and thrift shops) for the very best vintage fashion designer to squeeze into her Manhattan closet and vintage furniture for her seemingly endless apartment decoration project, or researching the very best new age wellness treatments to try next. You can find Roxanne on Instagram and TikTok at the handle @roxanne_adamiyatt.
