HOW NON-INVASIVE FAT REDUCTION TREATMENTS AND TECHNOLOGIES WORK ?

In today’s society there is a worldwide pressure to lose weight, reduce fat, and rejuvenate the skin that stems not only from images of idealized bodies in the media but also from our growing knowledge of the detrimental effects of obesity.

Thanks to new technologies, it is now possible to reduce stubborn fat pockets and improve body contours without surgery, scars or downtime.

New technology and research are making it easier than ever to lose body fat. Find out how these advancements stack up against exercise and a healthy diet. A decade ago, men and women who struggled with stubborn bulges that resisted diet and exercise had mainly one treatment option: Liposuction.

Today, Along with diet and exercise, it has become popular to use noninvasive devices to attain these goals by means of body contouring—the optimization of the definition, smoothness, and shape of the human physique. In fact, body contouring currently is the fastest-growing area of cosmetic dermatology.

There are currently 4 leading modalities used for noninvasive body contouring: cryolipolysis, radiofrequency, high-intensity focused ultrasound, and laser therapy.

Non-invasive fat reduction treatments utilize different mechanisms, to achieve the same objective: the rupture of fat cells. Some treatments damage fat cells by exposing them to controlled cooling, some expose fat cells to heat. Other treatments use radiofrequency or ultrasonic injury to damage fat cells. All treatments aim for lipolysis (lipo = fat cells + lysis = cell death.) As with any medical procedure, results may vary.

There are different kinds of slimming devices are available that provide amazing fat reducing treatment in a painless and non-invasive manner.

A number of health benefits provided by the machines are inch loss, fat loss, body reshaping and skin tightening.

A slimming machine is ideal to use in both the spas and at home. There are a number of technologies that come in the slimming machines.

With all the different fat reduction treatments, it may be hard to know which one is right for you. Read on to discover the pros and cons of the most popular noninvasive fat reduction treatments on the market.

4 Non-Surgical Body Contouring Treatments And Techniques 

1- Cryolipolysis (CoolSculpting)

CoolSculpting is the most popular noninvasive fat reduction treatment in the world, with over 6 million treatments performed to date. CoolSculpting essentially freezes fat cells to death using precisely controlled cooling.

Machines are nothing but a sturdy vacuum that contains a refrigerating unit for cooling purpose. Firstly, the professional apply gel to the targeted body part and then use the machine at very low temperature to reduce fat cells without affecting other body tissues. It only reduces the fatty layer from body to make your look beautiful with attractive personality.

Fast Facts About CoolSculpting

1. FDA cleared for abdomen, hips, inner or outer thighs, back (“bra rolls”), upper arms, under the buttock, and under the chin
2. Best for patients who wish to reduce the size of a fat bulge with little reshaping
3. Studies show that up to 25% fat reduction per treatment is typical
4. Treatments take 35 to 60 minutes to perform; any discomfort is typically mild and includes an intense cold feeling
5. Common side effects include temporary, mild swelling, numbness, redness and tingling. Serious or lasting side effects are extremely rare
6. Typical patient is satisfied after 1 to 2 treatments
7. Results are noticeable within 1 month and final after 2-3 months
8. Results last barring significant weight gain

2-Radiofrequency

Radiofrequency has become an important and frequently used modality in cosmetic dermatology. This modality differs from cryolipolysis in that it relies on exploiting the difference in water content and impedance between tissues: the skin has low impedance, whereas fat tissue has high impedance.

This technique heats fat cells to death, using radiofrequency energy that provides controlled heating to the targeted fat deposits and helps in tightening tissues, improving blood circulation and increasing collagen synthesis. utilize radiofrequency and/or ultrasonic energy to deliver thermal manipulation to fat cells. 

This unique mechanism can target larger areas of the body than other non-invasive fat reduction treatments.

Types of Radiofrequency Devices

Radiofrequency devices can be broadly classified as monopolar or bipolar. Bipolar devices generally require more frequent treatments, whereas monopolar devices tend to require fewer treatment sessions with superior circumference and fat reduction.

Major three benefits a user gets from these devices are tightening of sagging skin, loss of inch and reduction of fat cellulite. Slimming machines that uses this technology are Thermage , Accent Ultra or Exilis.

Overall, RF devices have a favorable side effect profile. The most common side effects are erythema and edema at the treatment site lasting less than 24 hours after the procedure. The absence of complications such as abdominal discomfort, erythema, and burning during treatment have been reported with the exception of 1 case of hyperesthesia on the abdomen that lasted for 3 days after a treatment session.

Benefits of Radiofrequency 

Although RF has beneficial effects on circumference reduction in the abdomen and thighs and can improve the appearance of cellulite, an increase in body weight may occur during treatment. 

When a localized area of fat such as the thigh is targeted for treatment but the remaining fat cells in the body are not affected, the remaining cells can continue to grow and expand; for instance, although fat cells destroyed with RF will not continue to expand, fat cells in untreated areas may continue to grow due to continued weight gain (eg, from excessive eating), leading to overall weight gain. 

Thus, patients must understand that weight gain is not an indication of treatment failure after RF or any other method of irreversible fat destruction.

3- Focused Ultrasound

High-intensity focused ultrasound recently was introduced as a new treatment modality for body contouring, specifically for skin tightening and rejuvenation. The mechanism of HIFU is similar to that of RF in that it also relies on heat to cause adipocyte apoptosis; however, it utilizes acoustic energy rather than electric energy.

Within this technology, there is a use of ultrasound waves that directly focus on the fat layer and inducing that to heat-up in order to remove them effectively. The waves are only applied to the fat cells and they do not damage any other body tissues. High-intensity focused ultrasound devices can deliver energy to the deep dermis, subdermal connective tissue, and fibromuscular layers in precise microcoagulation zones without damage to the epidermis.

Some of the slimming machines that are using this technology are called as UltraShape, Accent Ultra or MedContour or Liposonix. FDA cleared ultrasound fat reduction treatments include UltraShape, which uses a pulsed ultrasound technology, and Liposonix, which uses a high intensity focused ultrasound.

Adverse effects of HIFU are limited to transient pain in most patients and occasional erythema and ecchymosis in some cases. In general, most adverse effects resolve spontaneously within 4 weeks and all by 12 weeks posttreatment. 

Studies also have reported hard subcutaneous nodules, discomfort, burning sensation, mild blisters, and one case of purpuric lesions, all at the treatment site. There is no evidence that HIFU can cause abnormalities in serum lipids or liver function tests.

Fast Facts About Ultrasound Fat Reduction

1. Treatments are intended for use on the abdomen and flanks
2. Ultrasound is noninvasive and no downtime is needed
3. Typical patient requires 1 to 3 treatments spaced 2 weeks apart, depending on treatment
4. Results appear gradually and are typically final within 6 to 12 weeks
5. Destroyed fat cells do not grow back; results can last with weight maintenance

4- Laser Therapy

Laser fat reduction works by dismantling subcutaneous fat using controlled heat. A specific laser wavelength is delivered through the skin, heating fatty tissues to the point where fat cells begin to break down. A constant cooling mechanism ensures that skin is not damaged in the process. SculpSure is the brand name of this non-invasive laser technology.

Sculpsure is similar to CoolSculpting; however, instead of using controlled cooling, Sculpsure heats up fat cells to the point of destruction using light based technology.

Zerona is another laser-based technology that heats fat cells using a “cold laser.” Zerona is probably the most gentle fat reduction treatment, but also the least effective. Zerona also requires patients to adhere to a strict diet following treatment.

Various forms of laser lipo, also known as smart lipo have been developed by companies like SonoBello or Athenix. While laser lipo is marketed as a minimally invasive fat reduction treatment, it is far more invasive than the other fat reduction treatments listed. 

Laser lipo makes traditional liposuction less invasive by targeting tissue density and dissolving fat cells with a laser before and after the liposuction procedure. Laser lipo does not require general anesthesia and is ideal for smaller treatment areas.

Fast Facts About Laser Therapy

1. FDA cleared for abdomen and flanks. Can be used on other areas.
2. Treatment is typically painless; patients feel a warming sensation
3. Treatment takes 25 minutes per area
4. Results are noticeable in ~6 weeks and final in ~12 weeks
5. Results should last barring significant weight gain