Summer is arriving, and as the weather heats up, it’s time to dig out those swimsuits, tank tops and shorts. Trips to the beach and pool, however, can be stressful for many who feel uncomfortable donning the skimpier clothing of the season due to stubborn body fat. As we age, certain areas of our bodies tend to lose tone, such as the belly, waist, arms, thighs and neck; and extra cellulite can be difficult to lose, even with a healthy lifestyle.
The truth is that most of us feel some insecurity regarding our bodies, and it’s easy to become trapped in a perpetual battle of the bulge that even clean eating and regular, strenuous workouts can’t overcome. That’s why many people turn to cosmetic body contouring and fat reduction procedures to reverse physical signs of aging.
For years, among the most popular medical treatment options for dealing with stubborn cellulite were liposuction, tummy tuck or a combination of the two. Although safe and effective, these surgical procedures were not good options for everyone because they involve trauma to the treatment areas, side effects and downtime, as well as the significant cost of major surgery.
In recent years, advancements in minimally invasive and non-invasive fat reduction procedures have made it possible to diminish stubborn cellulite and improve body tone without incision, pain, downtime or scars. Some of these treatments can be completed in a single session, while others require multiple sessions. Typically, the cellulite treated with minimally invasive and non-invasive fat reduction procedures is removed permanently unless there is additional weight gain.
Some of the more common non-surgical fat reduction procedures currently on the aesthetic market include the following.
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Cryolipolysis
At this time, one of the most popular non-surgical fat reduction procedures is cryolipolysis, or CoolSculpting, a noninvasive procedure that uses controlled cooling to crystallize and break down fat cells, which can then be eliminated by the body’s natural processes.
CoolSculpting is safe because skin, muscle and other bodily tissues freeze at a lower temperature than fat, so they are unaffected by the cold except for some minor discomfort. CoolSculpting takes about an hour to complete, and is FDA-cleared for use on the abdomen, hips, thighs, back, upper arms, buttocks and neck. Common side effects include temporary mild itching, swelling, numbness, redness and tingling. Results are usually noticeable within a month, and the full impact of the treatment is usually realized within three months.
Laser Treatment
Laser fat reduction dissolves subcutaneous fat, the cellulite between the skin and muscle, using light and heat. A common laser fat reduction treatment is SculpSure, a wavelength that is applied through the skin to break down cellulite underneath.
A cooling procedure is applied simultaneously to ensure the skin is not burned, so the treatment involves very little, if any, discomfort or side effects. SculpSure is FDA-cleared for fat reduction of the abdomen and flanks. The treatment usually takes less than 30 minutes per area, and results begin to appear after about a month and are usually complete within three months.
Radiofrequency
Another common body contouring treatment, Vanquish, uses radiofrequency energy to raise the temperature in fat cells, which causes the cells to rupture and melt away. Afterward, the body naturally heals the treated area and excretes the dead fat cells.
This non-invasive procedure, which is FDA approved for the “non-surgical circumferential reduction of the abdomen,” has the benefit of treating the upper abdomen, lower abdomen and both flanks all in one 30 to 45-minute session. Usually, there is no pain or discomfort and there are no real side effects associated with this treatment.
Deoxycholic Acid
Deoxycholic acid is a molecule found naturally in the human gastrointestinal tract that aids with the metabolization of fat for digestion. As a fat reduction agent, deoxycholic acid, known as Kybella, can be injected directly into cellulite to break down fat cells on contact. It is indicated for use specifically to treat fat beneath the chin, also known as submental fullness or double chin. Kybella is particularly beneficial for the facial area because, in addition to lifting and tightening skin and destroying fat cells, it also stimulates the generation of collagen, a protein that gives skin elasticity.
The treatment, which involves multiple injections into the chin and neck area, typically takes less than 30 minutes to complete. Common side effects include temporary discomfort, swelling, numbness, redness and bruising. On very rare occasions, more serious side effects, such as facial weakness can result, but these side effects usually subside without medical intervention.
Ultrasound
For ultrasound fat reduction procedures, technicians send sonic wave energy through the skin directly to pockets of cellulite on the abdomen and flanks to obliterate fat cell walls, releasing the fat in the form of triglycerides so it can be metabolized by the body.
According to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS), at this time, FDA-cleared ultrasound fat reduction treatments include UltraShape, which uses pulsed ultrasound technology, and Liposonix, which uses a high-intensity focused ultrasound. Ultrasound is a very non-invasive technique so there are usually no side effects or down time from the procedure. Each treatment session usually takes about an hour, and results will be complete within one to three months.
Red-Light Therapy
Photonic lipolysis, or red-light therapy, uses a specialized lamp to deliver a wavelength through the skin to the subcutaneous fat cells, creating small holes in the cells which allow fat to seep out to be metabolized by the body. UltraSlim, the most common FDA approved red-light procedure, is intended to treat the abdomen, hips, thighs or other areas affected by cellulite.
Red-light therapy takes about 30 minutes to complete and results begin to appear almost immediately as the body metabolizes and eliminates the fat that is released through the process. This treatment is very low-risk with no real side effects or downtime, but, according to the ABCS, patients who are pregnant or have reduced liver function should not undergo this type of treatment.
Is Non-Surgical Body Sculpting Right for You?
If you are not overweight but have been struggling to eradicate stubborn cellulite associated with a protruding belly, love handles, double chin or dimpled arms and thighs, non-surgical fat reduction may be the body contouring solution for you. It is important to keep in mind, however, that these procedures are not an alternative for a healthy lifestyle and will not cause weight loss.
They just help to tone and smooth areas of the body that are resistant to diet and exercise. In fact, without a healthy diet and exercise, the results of these procedures will not be maintained. For more information on minimally invasive or non-invasive fat reduction procedures, consult a certified plastic or cosmetic surgeon regarding which options would be right for you.
Resources:
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