Non-Surgical Body Sculpting: Does It Really Work? Advantages over Liposuction?
Aesthetics & Medical Lasers of Colorado, Longmont, and Fort Collins, Colorado
Non-invasive Body Sculpting (Non-Surgical Body Sculpting) has gained popularity in recent years as an alternative to traditional surgical procedures such as liposuction. These methods typically use technologies such as ultrasound cavitation, radiofrequency, cryolipolysis (CoolSculpting), Shockwave or laser therapy to target and reduce fat cells without the need for incisions or anesthesia. While non-invasive body sculpting can yield noticeable results for almost all individuals, it’s essential to understand that the effectiveness can vary depending on factors such as the person performing the procedure, type of technology used, the patient’s problem areas, lifestyle, and expectations. Here are some key points to consider:
Results: Noninvasive body sculpting can result in modest fat reduction and body contouring. However, it’s crucial to have realistic expectations. These procedures typically provide gradual results over several weeks to months, and multiple sessions may be necessary to achieve the desired outcome.
Safety: Compared to invasive surgical procedures such as liposuction, noninvasive body sculpting techniques generally carry far fewer risks and complications. As with any medical procedure, there can still be potential side effects such as temporary discomfort, swelling, bruising, or skin sensitivity.
Suitability: Noninvasive body sculpting may not be suitable for everyone. It is most effective for individuals who are close to their ideal weight but have stubborn areas of fat that are resistant to diet and exercise. It is not a weight-loss treatment.
Maintenance: To maintain the results of noninvasive body sculpting, it’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a balanced diet. While the treated fat cells are typically eliminated from the body, remaining fat cells can still expand if a person gains weight.
Cost: The cost of noninvasive body sculpting procedures can vary depending on factors such as the specific technique used, the number of sessions required, and the provider’s location. It’s essential to consider the cost alongside the expected results and benefits. Generally, it is more affordable than liposuction. Researching and understanding the specific technology being used and its track record of effectiveness and safety can help you make an informed decision.
Heat Sculpting: Heat Sculpting includes the various noninvasive body sculpting treatments that use heat to destroy fat cells. These procedures either utilize radiofrequency energy or laser to heat the tissues. Examples of these treatments include:
VelaShape (V-Shape) is an example of laser-based body contouring. It is a noninvasive body contouring treatment that combines radiofrequency energy, infrared light, vacuum, and mechanical massage to target and reduce cellulite and contour the body. It’s often used to improve the appearance of areas such as the thighs, buttocks, abdomen, and arms.
Here’s how VelaShape works:
Radiofrequency (RF) Energy: RF energy heats the targeted tissue, increasing metabolism within the fat cells and stimulating collagen production in the skin. This can help tighten the skin and reduce the appearance of cellulite. Infrared Light: Infrared light also contributes to heating the tissue, enhancing the effects of the RF energy. It penetrates the skin to reach deeper layers, where it can target fat cells and stimulate circulation. Vacuum Technology: The vacuum mechanism gently pulls the skin towards the treatment area, allowing for deeper penetration of the RF energy and infrared light. It also helps to stretch the fibrous bands responsible for the dimpled appearance of cellulite, resulting in smoother-looking skin. Mechanical Massage: The mechanical massage component helps to improve lymphatic drainage and circulation, reducing fluid retention and promoting the elimination of toxins and metabolic waste from the body. VelaShape treatments are typically performed as a series of sessions scheduled at a 5-7 day interval. The total number of sessions needed can vary depending on factors such as the patient’s specific concerns, the amount of fat in the area being treated and the desired outcome. It’s essential to note that while VelaShape can provide noticeable improvements in the appearance of cellulite and body contouring, future touch up maintenance sessions may be required over time. Additionally, as with any aesthetic procedure, results can vary from person to person. Before undergoing VelaShape or any other body contouring treatment, it is important to consult with an experienced professional who can assess your suitability for the procedure, discuss your goals and expectations, and create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. They can also provide information on any potential risks or side effects associated with the treatment.
Emsculpt NEO is a newer generation of the Emsculpt device. It is a Non-invasive Body Contouring treatment designed to build muscle (25%) and reduce fat (30%) in the treated areas simultaneously. It utilizes a combination of electromagnetic energy and radiofrequency (RF) to target both muscle and fat cells.
Here’s how Emsculpt NEO works:
Emsculpt NEO delivers high intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) energy to the targeted muscles. This energy induces supramaximal muscle contractions, which are more intense than what is achievable through voluntary muscle contractions during exercise. These powerful contractions force the muscles to adapt and remodel, resulting in muscle growth and increased strength. In addition to the HIFEM, Emsculpt NEO also emits synchronized radiofrequency (RF) energy. The RF energy heats the targeted fat cells, causing apoptosis (cell death) and triggering the body’s natural processes to eliminate the fat cells over time. By combining these technologies, Emsculpt NEO aims to provide dual benefits of muscle building (25% increase) and fat reduction (30% reduction).
Exilis Exilis is a non-invasive body sculpting procedure that uses radiofrequency (RF) energy to tighten the skin, reduce fat and contour the body. The treatment works by delivering controlled RF energy to the targeted area, stimulating collagen production, and promoting tissue remodeling.
Exilis Ultra combines radiofrequency (RF) energy with ultrasound technology to achieve enhanced skin tightening, fat reduction, and body contouring. It is often used on areas such as the face, neck, abdomen, thighs, and arms. The dual technology allows for deeper penetration into the skin, targeting multiple layers and promoting collagen production and skin tightening. Common body treatment areas include the face, neck, and décolletage. The treatment is generally well-tolerated, with minimal discomfort. Most patients describe it as a warm sensation during the session. Visible improvements can be seen after a series of sessions though individual results will vary based on several factors.
CoolSculpting
CoolSculpting, also known as Cryolipolysis, is an FDA approved noninvasive body sculpting procedure that uses extreme cold to break down fat cells, ultimately destroying them. It can reduce up to 21% of fat cells in a treatment area. Common treatment areas include the thighs, lower back, belly, and love handles.
How does CoolSculpting work?
During the treatment, the device handles are placed on the skin overlying the targeted fat areas. Controlled cooling selectively targets fat cells without harming surrounding skin or tissues. Over time, the treated fat cells die and are eventually eliminated from the body. This process takes weeks to months. For this reason, the recommended minimum wait time between freezing sessions is 30 days while Heat Sculpting procedures only require 5-7 days. The duration of CoolSculpting sessions can vary based on the specific treatment area and the number of areas being targeted. In the past, CoolSculpting sessions typically lasted about 1 to 3 hours. The newer device takes as little as 35 minutes per treatment area. Treating multiple body parts will require additional CoolSculpting sessions to achieve noticeable results. Large treatment areas may need more. While Heat Sculpting sessions can be repeated every 5-7 days, the recommended minimum wait time is 30 days before you can get your next freezing treatment.
Studies have shown that CoolSculpting is safe and effective in reducing fat layers and improving body contouring. While not 100% effective for everyone, it has been relatively successful for the general population.
In summary, here are the benefits of Non-Surgical Body Sculpting treatment:
- Body Contouring: Non-Surgical Body Sculpting is not a weight loss treatment but rather a procedure aimed at targeting stubborn fat areas in people who are close to their target weight.
- Skin tightening: Procedures that utilize laser or radiofrequency use targeted energy to heat the deep layers of skin to 42-44 C. Over time, this leads to the stimulation of new collagen and elastin production, gradually improving skin tone and laxity.
- Cellulite reduction: Some treatments such as ShockWave Therapy also address fibrous tissue to help smooth cellulite.
- Versatility and ease of use on multiple body areas such as the upper arms, bra fat, love handles, underarms, saddlebags, hips, abdomen, thighs, turkey neck, and under chin areas.
While Non-invasive Body Sculpting may not reshape your entire body, it can make you look shapelier and more toned. Remember that individual results may vary, and it’s essential to consult with a qualified professional to determine the most suitable approach for your specific needs. Additionally, researching and understanding the specific technology being used, its effectiveness, and safety can help you make an informed decision. At Aesthetics and Medical Laser of Colorado, we are proud to provide you with some of the area’s leading Non-Surgical Body Sculpting treatments serving the cities of Longmont, Erie, Lafayette, Boulder, Berthoud, Loveland, and Ft. Collins, Colorado. Our dedicated staff is available to address your problem areas. Please contact us at 720 818 0533 to schedule an appointment.
