Non Surgical Body Sculpting, Everything from A to Z

Sometimes, even when one is not obese and has incorporated a diet and exercise into their life, they still face stubborn fat pads in some areas of their body. In case you are among them and feel that you have to go under the knife, hold on. There are still other non-surgical and concrete alternatives available to you. Non surgical body sculpting, non-invasive body contouring, or lipolysis is a collection of cosmetic procedures targeting removal of stubborn fat deposits, tightening the skin, and reshaping body contours without the use of surgery.

What Is Body Contouring Non Surgical?

Non surgical body sculpting treatments actually destroy or melt the fat cells to make you more appealing. But if you’re very obese, it is usually recommended that you lose weight with a healthy diet and exercise first (BMI < 30) and then have non-surgical body shaping treatments.

There are several new body contouring procedures, and they all have their own characteristics. None of them, nonetheless, are surgical ones. That is, there is no cut, general anesthetic, or scarring involved in the procedures. Of course, the effect of these procedures does not occur overnight like that of surgical liposuction but only in phases, and one would feel the effects on a timeline of months or weeks.

How Does Nonsurgical Body Sculpting Work?

Non-invasive body contouring treatments are classified into four general categories: Cryolipolysis, Heat-Based Methods, Injection Lipolysis, and Electromagnetic Energy (HIFEM).

Each of these treatments employs a unique mechanism for destroying fat cells to be naturally eliminated by the body, but the end result is always localized fat reduction and body sculpting without surgery.

Cryolipolysis (CoolSculpting)

If you would like to reduce the size of your fat bulges, but do not want your body shape to change that dramatically, this non surgical body sculpting is perfect for you. Fat cells freeze at a higher temperature than the other cells in the body (such as muscle or skin), and thus CoolSculpting freezes and kills only fat cells by cooling the treated area to controlled cold. After the treatment, the body eliminates the destroyed fat cells through the lymphatic system over a period of weeks to months.

You are able to use this treatment to remove fat from the stomach, thighs, biceps, flanks, arms, and buttocks. A Cryolipolysis treatment lasts from thirty minutes to an hour, and you may need several treatments in order to achieve the desired result. CoolSculpting has a short recovery period, and you are usually able to continue with your day after the treatment.

Laser lipolysis (SculpSure)

Laser lipolysis, or SculpSure (brand name), is a procedure that uses heat to destroy fat cells under the skin. After treatment, the body eliminates the dead fat cells through the lymphatic system over a period of approximately 12 weeks. There is also a cooling mechanism to keep skin cells from being damaged. The treatment can be performed on the abdomen and flanks, and each treatment session takes approximately half an hour. However, you may need several sessions to complete the treatment.

Radiofrequency (RF) lipolysis

Another non surgical body sculpting is radiofrequency lipolysis. RF uses radio waves to create heat beneath the skin, spreading the heat evenly and widely throughout the treated area, which, along with killing fat, also stimulates collagen formation and tightens the skin. Unlike Laser Lipolysis, which tends to be more focused and capable of more accurately targeting smaller zones, RF energy penetrates deeper and more evenly into the fat layers, warming the overall treated area.

The heat from radiofrequency lipolysis of the procedure can stimulate the production of collagen and elastin in the skin layers. These proteins give the skin its strength and elasticity. Therefore, by increasing their production, the skin can appear somewhat firmer.

Ultrasound Fat Reduction

This process utilizes high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound). The waves are focused on the fat layers and, through vibration and heat creation, break down and destroy the fat cells. Then, as a result, the fat inside the destroyed cell is released to be metabolized by the body and reduce the size of the fat deposit.

This method is beneficial for large areas such as the abdomen and sides and requires one to three treatment sessions for optimal effect. Usually, an interval of about two weeks is needed between each treatment session.

Injection lipolysis (Deoxycholic Acid)

Last but not least method of non surgical body sculpting is Injection lipolysis. Disturbing fat in specific areas, such as the double chin, can be removed non-surgically with injections. In this procedure, a chemical called deoxycholic acid is injected directly into small fat deposits, such as under the chin. It effectively breaks down fat cells and allows them to be gradually eliminated from the body. This treatment usually requires several sessions to complete, with each session lasting about half an hour.

Benefits of Nonsurgical Body Sculpting

With new technologies, it is no longer necessary to resort to difficult surgeries to remove stubborn fat. Non surgical body sculpting methods are a non-invasive and suitable solution for eliminating fat bulges in various areas of the body. Some of the advantages of these methods include the following:

• These methods are non-invasive or minimally invasive and do not require surgery
• If you maintain your weight, the results of the treatment will be long-lasting
• You can usually return to your daily activities immediately after the treatment session is completed
• After a few weeks, you will achieve a more toned and youthful appearance with smoother skin

Risks of Nonsurgical Body Sculpting

Along with all the benefits of the non surgical body sculpting techniques, there are also limitations and risks. However, these risks are much less than those of surgery:

• Short-term and mild side effects such as redness, pain, and swelling
• Need for repeat sessions and gradual results
• Hives or skin rashes

Do Non Surgical Body Sculpting Techniques Have Any Effect on Cellulite?

The answer is that their effect on cellulite is a side effect and not the main goal. Non-invasive body shaping methods focus primarily on eliminating fat cells, not cellulite. The two are often confused, but they are completely different. So let’s first learn a little more about the difference between localized fat and cellulite.

Localized fat is the fat that accumulates below the skin and causes bulging and volume increase in specific areas of the body (such as the midsection, flanks, thighs, and arms). Cellulite, on the other hand, is the appearance of dimpled and irregular skin, which is largely a result of the short strands of connective tissue (fibrous septae) below the skin and the layers of fat.

Therefore, the general focus of non surgical body sculpting treatments, especially therapies such as Cryolipolysis (CoolSculpting), Radiofrequency, and Laser Lipolysis, is fat loss in specific areas. They do this by destroying fat cells in a certain area, thereby resulting in the area having a lean look and taut appearance.

Some of these treatments, such as Evolve Transform, even beautify the skin by heating up tissues and stimulating collagen growth. The growth of the collagen and elastin can serve to pull the skin tighter and minimize the irregular look of the cellulite to some degree. Also, by diminishing the size of fat within an area, there can be less tension on the fibrous tissues below the skin, and this can also serve to enhance the look of the cellulite.

However, what should be considered is that there are other methods of specialized cellulite treatment, such as Subcision, Acoustic Wave Therapy, and specialized cellulite laser treatments aimed at the connective tissue under the skin or the causes of cellulite. If cellulite is your worst problem, you must speak with a specialist about specialized cellulite treatment methods.

Am I A Candidate For Non-Surgical Fat Reduction?

Body contouring without surgery is perfect for those who are not seriously obese and lead a healthy lifestyle but still have stubborn localized fat in certain spots such as the belly, flanks, legs, or arms that will not go away. If you are of stable weight and in good general health, you can use these treatments to get rid of concerns such as love handles (flanks), inner thighs, or chin fat.

But simultaneously, you do expect normal things from your treatment. It will take some several sessions of treatment to achieve the best. But still, you can do your body shape in a way that you feel good in your most dear clothes.

Contact us at TatoyanMD Medspa to consult with the best specialists and choose the latest non surgical body sculpting treatment methods.