By Christi Blevins
Body contouring, also known as body sculpting, is ideal for people with problem areas that don’t go away with diet and exercise. If you would like to smooth cellulite, tighten skin, or kiss your love handles good-bye, there are several minimally invasive body contouring procedures that might be right for you.
It should be noted that non-surgical body contouring is not a shortcut for easy weight loss and is most effective on people who are at or near their ideal body weight.
Most of these procedures work by damaging fat cells, which will eventually be excreted by the lymphatic system. With each of the following procedures, there is minimal to no downtime.
CoolSculpting
CoolSculpting is a non-invasive fat reduction technique, which uses cold temperatures to destroy fat cells in targeted areas. It is the only FDA approved method to freeze away fat. Fat cells are blasted while the surrounding tissues are unharmed. Target areas may include thighs, arms, double chin, abdomen, bra and back fat, buttocks, and flank area (love handles).
One treatment takes an average of 30 to 60 minutes. Multiple treatments are usually required to achieve the desired results. Results are visible within three weeks, with full results in two to four months.
SculpSure
If you don’t want to freeze away your stubborn fat deposits, perhaps you would rather melt them into oblivion. SculpSure is designed to reduce fat in the abdomen, flanks, thighs, back, and under the chin using heat instead of cold. A high-intensity laser light heats adipose tissue to 107.6 to 116.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
The damaged cells will be excreted over the next few weeks. Typically, two 25-minute SculpSure sessions are needed to see results. Optimal results are usually seen twelve weeks after treatment.
Vanquish
Vanquish is the new kid on the fat-blasting block. It works by radiating radio energy frequency on the fat cells of the abdomen, flanks, and thighs. The electromagnetic waves permeate the fat layer while leaving the skin unharmed. Though the core fat reaches a temperature of 120 degrees, the skin is only heated to approximately 100 degrees. The sensation has been compared to being wrapped in a heating pad or an electric blanket.
For best results, you should expect to have three to five treatments spaced one week apart.
Renuvion
Unlike the procedures mentioned above, Renuvion is designed to firm and contour. It is effective on arms, abdomen, flanks, chest, thighs, and the back. Renuvion is also used as an alternative to invasive facelifts. While still considered minimally invasive, tiny incisions are placed on the affected areas, and tissues are treated with cold plasma energy. Recovery time is typically a few days.
