Fat reduction is different than losing weight. Fat reduction reduces the number of actual fat cells in a certain location and is more effective at reshaping or contouring your body. Weight loss refers to your overall body mass and without the ability to control loss of unwanted fat areas.
What is Fat?
The number of actual fat cells is fixed. When we gain weight, individual fat cells grow larger. During weight loss, the fat cells remain, but shrink in size. Men and women “gain weight” in different places of the body and usually in unwanted areas!
Despite successful dieting, it is common to have areas of diet resistant or unwanted fat. Fat reduction may help you achieve your body contouring goals.
Fat reduction treatments vary in the way they work, degree of invasiveness, side effects and retreatments.
Fat Reduction Treatments
- Liposuction
- Ultrasound
- Radiofrequency
- Freezing (cryolipolysis)
- Laser lipolysis
The goal of all fat reduction treatments is to decrease the number of fat cells. “Lipolysis” is the destruction of fat cells. Fat reduction procedures vary in the way they destroy fat cells. Some techniques are more invasive than others. The results will vary, too.
As with all aesthetic techniques, results and treatment plans will differ from patient to patient. Fat reduction is not a replacement for weight loss. And all outcomes will be improved when combined with a healthy diet and a regular exercise regimen that involves weight training and cardio.
Liposuction
Liposuction is the oldest method to remove fat. Liposuction is invasive and requires the surgeon to make small incisions through the skin in the areas of unwanted fat, usually the abdomen and thighs. The surgeon inserts a thin tube into the areas of fat underneath the skin and removes fat cells via suction.
Because liposuction is invasive, bleeding, swelling and bruising can be expected along with some discomfort. Results of liposuction take longer to be noticed and may take up to 6 months, but the effects can be the most permanent.
Ultrasound (Ultrashape)
Ultrasound is a non-invasive procedure to selectively destroy fat cells. Using sound energy, the cell walls of the fat cells are destroyed, yet leaving surround nerves and muscles unaffected. The remnants of the destroyed cells are removed by the body’s natural immune system and are transported to the gastrointestinal tract. Sound waves at a different frequency is similarly used to treat kidney stones. Both treatments require no anesthesia.
Unlike other non-invasive procedures which involve heat or freezing, ultrasound is virtually painless and with no recovery time.
At Renew You, we have had great results with the UltraShape fat reduction system. The ultrasound treatments take less than an hour and you are on your way without any down time!
Infrared (IR) and Radiofrequency (Velashape)
Using a combination of infrared light (IR) and radiofrequency (RF), Velashape is very effective in contouring the circumferential fat around your abdomen and thighs. The non-invasive techniques uses IR to sensitize the fat cells making the more sensitive to destruction by the RF pulses. This combination uses less RF and therefore less heat and discomfort are a result. Velashape may also be effective for cellulite.
Renew You uses both Ultrashape and Velashape fat reduction treatments in our aesthetic medical center.
Other Methods for Fat Reduction
Radiofrequency (RF)
Radiofrequency (RF) fat reduction techniques are also non-invasive and destroy the targeted fat cells by using radiofrequency energy. RF generates heat and there may be more discomfort. Two brands using radiofrequency are Trusculpt and Vanquish.
Laser Lipolysis
Both heat producing and “cold” lasers can also be used to remove unwanted fat cells. Using the light energy from laser, the fat cells are destroyed and subsequently absorbed by the body. Discomfort varies. Sculpsure and Verona use laser energy differently to reduce fat.
Cryolipolysis (Freezing)
Cryolipolysis is another non-invasive procedure which destroys fat cells by freezing. Coolsculpting is a popular brand name. The procedure is performed in the office. As this involves freezing, burning or discomfort may be experienced.
If you would like to schedule an appointment, PLEASE CALL (240-401-4230) or EMAIL US!
We look forward to seeing you!
Your Docs at Renew You
Aesthetic Medicine
Rockville, Maryland