You can’t seem to lose those stubborn pockets of fat, no matter how stringent your daily exercise program and nutrition plan are. Fortunately, non-surgical fat reduction therapies are now available.
Non-surgical fat reduction refers to non-invasive techniques that break down your body’s fat cells. They can assist you in achieving the body you’ve always wanted.
In this article, I’ll go over everything you need to know about non-surgical fat reduction, including how fat cells work, the various types of non-surgical fat reduction treatments, procedure side effects, and more.
Let’s take a closer look at our adipose cells: How do they function?
It is generally known that consuming too much fat is harmful to our health. Our bodies, on the other hand, require fat to function. These fat cells are known scientifically as Triglycerides, Cholesterol, Essential fatty acids.
These are fats that the body is unable to produce on its own.
The most common type of fat we consume is triglycerides. They are necessary for energy storage and act as a source of energy for our bodies. The rest is kept as blobs called lipid droplets inside the cells.
Fats aid the body’s ability to store certain nutrients. The fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K are among them. The liver and fatty tissues are where they are kept.
Certain chemical reactions are also regulated by fat cells. They aid in the regulation of Growth, Immune function, Reproduction, and Other elements of metabolism.
Excess or imbalanced fat cells, on the other hand, can lead to ailments like heart disease and diabetes. The number of fat cells in our bodies does not alter. A medical treatment known as liposuction is one sure way to lower the number of fat cells.
However, there are considerable dangers associated with this type of surgery. It has the potential to cause mortality as a result of lipo surgery complications.
While diet and exercise cannot permanently eliminate fat cells, we do have non-surgical fat reduction equipment at our disposal. These devices claim to use a process known as lipolysis to break down fat cells.
What’s the difference between fat loss and weight reduction?
Loss of weight
Shedding weight and losing fat are not the same thing. Our weight is determined by two variables. They are as follows:
- We can save energy by storing it in the food we eat.
- And at the rate at which we consume it.
- As a result of the negative calorie balance, weight loss occurs.
It is critical to remember that as our bodies break down fat, the number of fat cells remains constant. They simply shrink in size.
How can I tell if non-surgical fat reduction is right for me?
Non-surgical fat reduction, in my opinion, is a good option for those who have tried diet and exercise but still have stubborn pockets of fat. Individuals with a BMI of 30 or less are often considered obese. They must also have a realistic expectation of what non-surgical fat reduction may accomplish.
What are the advantages of non-surgical fat loss?
The main advantage of non-surgical fat reduction is that it allows people to achieve their ideal body shape without the complications of lipo surgery. It boosts their self-esteem while also allowing them to fit into clothes that they would otherwise be unable to wear.
What are the drawbacks of non-surgical fat loss?
When I counsel patients who want to undergo non-surgical fat reduction, one of the first things I tell them is about the procedure’s limitations. Non-surgical fat reduction cannot replace surgical liposuction in terms of achieving the desired results.
How do non-surgical fat-loss methods work?
In general, fat cells are more sensitive to temperature changes than other tissues. As a result, fat-reducing devices will either use extreme cold or high temperatures to cause lipolysis of fat cells.
What are the most common non-surgical fat-loss treatments, and how do they work?
Cryolipolysis works by exposing fat cells to extremely cold temperatures. For the localised reduction of fat deposits, the temperature is usually between -11 and 5 degrees Celsius. This aids in reshaping the body’s contours.
Zeltiq is the most popular non-surgical fat reduction device. The term “coolsculpting” was popularized by this device. There have been many other similar devices on the market since then. When deciding where to go for such procedures, one must exercise caution. Unlicensed devices claiming to provide “coolsculpting” are used in some beauty salons.
According to studies, a single treatment can result in a fat reduction of up to 25 percent. However, more than one treatment is usually required.
Laser Lipolysis
Laser lipolysis has progressed to become a minimally invasive procedure. It melts body fat by using heat from fiber-optic lasers of various wavelengths. The laser beams inactivate the fat cells during the procedure. As a result, the results of this procedure will be permanent.
In recent years, an FDA-approved non-surgical laser treatment known as Sculpture has become available. The wavelength used, 1064nm, has a natural affinity for fat cells. When combined with minimal skin absorption, it enables the device to effectively treat stubborn pockets of fat.
Warmsculpting is the name given to this procedure. Sculpture studies have shown fat reduction of up to 24 percent in the areas treated. A series of treatments is usually required to see results.
Ultrasound Fat Reduction
There are a number of such devices available on the market today. Ultrashape and Liposonix are two of the most well-known.
Ultrashape uses a non-thermal mechanical ultrasound pulse to induce cavitational lipolysis.
Liposonix, on the other hand, uses focused high-intensity ultrasound delivered to a precise depth of 13mm to induce focal fat cell death.
Liposonix, in my opinion, has several flaws. It has expensive consumables, and the procedure is painful for the patients. As a result, I replaced it with a newer generation model known as SCIZER. It has a novel contact cooling handpiece that alleviates patient discomfort. Furthermore, the consumables are less expensive, making them a more cost-effective option.
Radiofrequency Induced Lipolysis
The use of radiofrequency (RF) induced lipolysis devices is not novel. In my experience, older generation devices that use bipolar to multipolar electrodes do not produce consistent and effective results. Vanquish ME and Trusculpt ID are both Monopolar RF devices from the latest generation. It enables RF energy to penetrate deeper and be delivered more efficiently.
The fact that Vanquish ME is a non-contact RF device sets it apart from the competition. This makes the procedure more pleasant. However, there are a few drawbacks. It takes at least four treatments, each of which takes about 45 minutes to complete.
Trusculpt ID, on the other hand, has six handpieces, each 40 cm square. This allows for the treatment area to be customized. It can cover up to 300 square centimeters in a single session. The treatment takes only 15 minutes and can feel like a hot stone massage, which distinguishes it from other RF treatments. The number of sessions required is determined by the amount of fat that needs to be removed.
How do I know which non-surgical fat-loss treatment is best for me?
It is best to visit registered medical clinics when looking for a suitable non-surgical fat reduction treatment. These clinics make use of devices that have been approved by the local HSA. As a result, a certain level of safety and efficacy can be guaranteed.
It should also be noted that some of these devices can only be used on people who have at least one inch of pinchable fat. This treatment is not appropriate if you have a thin layer of fat on your body. This is true for devices such as Zeltiq cool sculpting and HIFU devices. In general, such treatments are best suited to people with a body mass index (BMI) of less than 30.
What are the drawbacks of non-surgical fat loss? If non-surgical fat reduction is done correctly, the side effects are usually only temporary. Here are some of the possible short-term side effects: Pain, redness, oedema, and unusual sensations
Other notable but less common side effects include paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH). It is commonly associated with cool sculpting and occurs when the treated area becomes larger than desired.
Other issues have also been reported. They are as follows: burns, muscle injuries, and intestinal perforations.
However, these are the result of incorrect patient selection and device use.
How do I know I won’t regain the fat I lost through non-surgical fat loss?
To avoid regaining the fat you have lost, it is critical to follow a healthy diet and exercise on a regular basis. Some of my patients return for maintenance treatments to ensure that the fat stays off.
What exactly is body contouring? What distinguishes it from non-surgical body reduction?
Body contouring is the process of shaping the body to achieve a more ideal or proportionate shape. It is frequently used in conjunction with surgical liposuction.
Non-surgical fat reduction targets areas of stubborn fat to achieve fat loss. It is usually devoid of contouring. In recent years, I’ve witnessed the evolution of non-surgical fat reduction, which allows us to contour the body to some extent. This is especially true when used in conjunction with muscle toning and sculpting devices.
Who should I see about nonsurgical fat reduction?
I would recommend that you seek medical advice from a registered medical clinic. This is critical because it ensures that the treatment is performed safely by an experienced and qualified doctor, using safe devices.
What can I expect from the consultation?
It is critical to determine the patient’s BMI during a consultation. Such treatments are most effective on people with a BMI of 30.
Second, the treatment area will be evaluated and examined. This is done to ensure that the treatment is safe to administer. A hernia in the abdomen, for example, is a contraindication to treatment in this area.
Finally, it is critical to ensure that the patient has reasonable expectations. The doctor should explain to the patient what results are possible.
Conclusion
Non-surgical fat reduction is becoming increasingly popular around the world. This is largely due to the ease with which such procedures can be performed, as well as the safety and effectiveness of such devices. As a result, there has been an increase in the research and development of such devices, with newer and better ones entering the market.
Here’s how my ideal device would look:
- Safe
- Has a high efficacy in fat loss.
- Suitable for the patient
Furthermore, the procedure’s cost must be reasonable. Treatment times should also be kept to a minimum. Ideally, results should be achievable in 1-2 sessions.
This device will be a very appealing option if it can also achieve good skin tightening and muscle toning or sculpting.
Is such a device currently available? Most likely not. The Trusculpt ID, on the other hand, checks a lot of these boxes. The combination of these two devices, along with the soon-to-be-released Trusculpt Flex for muscle toning and building, may yield more effective results. However, if someone has to go through both procedures, my only concern is the cost.
Are you considering other options in your quest to lose stubborn fat? Please leave your thoughts in the comments section below.