Have you been trying to lose fat in a part of your body that just won’t shrink? Belly pooches and saddle bags are the worst, and no matter how much time you spend at the gym or how strictly you follow your diet, sometimes the fat just won’t burn. If your biggest challenge is contouring the tummy, thighs, arms, or butt, there may be a way to get that perfect figure without going under the knife.
Body contouring procedures have come a long way in the last decade, and the number of non-invasive treatments is constantly rising. What makes these procedures perfect for today’s adult is the fact that they don’t have any downtime (meaning you will get right back to work), they don’t cost as much as surgery, and for most people the results are amazing. Let’s take a look at 5 of the most popular non-invasive treatments for weight loss:
1. Coolsculpting
This is the most common FDA-approved non-invasive fat reduction procedure today, and it has been well documented across thousands of patients. The procedure uses extremely low temperatures to essentially freeze fat in a process called cryolipolysis; and when fat cells are killed, the body removes them naturally. The number of people seeking Coolsculpting in Staten Island has grown tremendously; and this has a lot to do with the fact that there are no needles involved, anesthesia, or any invasive techniques – and treatment takes minutes, instead of hours. A device is to target fat in specific areas of the body and when placed on the surface of the skin, it administers low temperatures to freeze the cells. A regular treatment can last between 30 minutes to an hour, and there are no downsides.
Possible side effects include mild discomfort during treatment, tingling, itching, and redness. But side effects are rare and only temporary – the technician or health practitioner will offer something to manage any irritation.
2. Zerona Z-6
In this procedure, patients undergo at least 6 treatments where a cold laser is used to dissolve fat cells without causing damage to healthy skin cells. On average, a full treatment can dissolve over 3 inches of fat on areas such as thighs, hips, and waist. However, some patients gain back a small amount of fat (0.3 inches) but the treatment is considered highly effective and side effects are rare.
Perfect candidates for Zerona are patients with localized weight problems and not particularly overweight. For the best results, patients are encouraged to follow a healthy diet before and after treatment.
3. Sculpture
Sculpture is in fact the first FDA-approved laser procedure for fat removal. It is used on the abdomen, back, thighs, and flanks; and the procedure takes advantage of light-based technology to eliminate fat. Results take several weeks but patients must go through several sessions for there to be a significant reduction in fat.
Recovery is instant and patients can get back to their normal activities following the procedure. Side effects are rare, but there have been reported cases of irritation, slight bruising at the area of treatment, and tenderness. Side effects are expected to go away within a day or two after treatment.
4. Liposonix
This treatment is mostly done on the midsection, targeting the mid-level layer of fat in the abdomen. Each session takes an hour, and the technology used is thermal ultrasonic energy. This procedure targets and destroys fat cells and at the same time stimulates collagen production to firm up skin. A doctor or technician uses a hand-held device to glide across the treatment area and uses ultrasonic heat to penetrate deep into layers of fat, effectively killing a significant amount of fat cells over the period of a full treatment. When fat cells are ruptured, the body removes them through the lymphatic system and leaves that part of the body slimmer and well contoured.
5. TruSculpt
TruSculpt technology is similar to Coolsculpting in that it uses controlled temperatures and radio-frequency energy to target and destroy fat cells. The treatment leads to circumferential reduction and can be used to treat both largerand smaller areas of the body. TruSculpt is ideal for individuals with visible fat bulges around the flanks and belly, but it can also be used on inner thighs, underarms, and other areas as well. Patients who struggle with stubborn fat don’t always need surgery or other invasive procedures, and TruSculpt tries to fix this with only a few treatment sessions.
What to consider
All these procedures are considered safe and can be performed quickly and efficiently, with very little (if any) downtime. Side effects can be managed easily with skin ointments and you can target fat in different areas of the body, meaning you have a chance to create your ideal figure without ever going under the knife. For anybody with special medical conditions, it is recommended that you speak with your doctor before taking any treatment – but this is only a precaution. The cost of these procedures varies from $1,000 to $2,000 per session. Keep in mind that several treatments may be needed to get the best results.