Everything you need to know about non-surgical body contouring, including the four different procedures used to target fat cells and popular treatments that follow them.
Surgical vs Non-Surgical Body Contouring
Before we dive into non-surgical body contouring, it’s important to note that the term, body contouring, refers to both surgical and non-surgical body contouring. Surgical body contouring involves physician consultations and operations, with common procedures including liposuction, tummy tucks, facelifts, and breast augmentation. Non-surgical body contouring is a less invasive procedure that destroys fat cells to sculpt the body.
What Is Non-Surgical Body Contouring?
Also known as non-surgical fat reduction, non-surgical body contouring removes stubborn pockets of fat to contour or shape the body. As explained in Healthline, most non-surgical body contouring treatments are based on one of these four procedures:
- Cryolipolysis, or controlled cooling, uses freezing temperatures to target and destroy fat cells.
- Laser lipolysis uses controlled heating and laser energy to target fat cells.
- Radiofrequency lipolysis uses controlled heating and ultrasound technology to target fat cells.
- Injection lipolysis uses injectable deoxycholic acid to target fat cells.¹
Cryolipolysis for Non-Surgical Fat Reduction
At Greenwich Medical Spa, we offer CoolSculpting, a treatment that relies on cryolipolysis technology. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), CoolSculpting uses cold temperatures to target and destroy fat cells in various areas of the body. The freezing temperatures kill off fat cells, which are eventually flushed out of your body through the lymphatic system. Because skin, muscle, and nerve tissue freeze at a lower temperature than fat, these tissues remain unharmed. CoolSculpting is the brand name of cryolipolysis.
Treatment areas include:
- Under the Chin
- Bra Fat
- Upper Arms
- Back Fat
- Flanks
- Abdomen
- Underneath the Buttocks (Banana Roll)
- Inner/Outer Thighs
Radiofrequency Lipolysis Non-Surgical Body Contouring
A popular treatment that sends RF (Radiofrequency) and HIFEM (High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic) energies deep below the surface of the skin, EmSculpt Neo causes supramaximal muscle contractions and simultaneously heats fat cells to the point of destruction. The radiofrequency heat has another benefit too — it prepares the muscles for super contractions, just like a warmup prepares your muscles for exercise.
The contractions created during this treatment take place with an intensity not possible from voluntary contractions – a.k.a. the ones you produce on your own. When exposed to these extreme contractions, muscle tissue begins to remodel, building muscle from deep below. This results in both hypertrophy, an increase in the volume of muscle, and hyperplasia, an increase in the number of muscle fibers. On the surface, these changes appear as toned, sculpted abs, and buttocks.
Treatment areas include:
- Abdomen
- Buttocks
- Inner Thighs
- Outer Thighs
- Front of Thighs
- Back of Thighs
- Biceps
- Triceps
- Calves
In addition, we also offer DoubleSculpt, a combination of CoolSculpt and EmSculpt Neo.
Laser Lipolysis Non-Surgical Body Contouring
Smart Lipo or Laser Liposuction is a procedure that is approved by the FDA for the treatment of fat deposits throughout the body. Smart Lipo utilizes a laser through a small cannula (flexible tube) to disrupt the fat cells, reducing the unwanted fat deposits. The laser energy is also transmitted to the overlying skin producing tightening of the skin.
Smart Lipo can be performed almost anywhere there is fat on the body (essentially everywhere). The procedure can be performed under local anesthesia; is minimally invasive due to the size of the small cannula (1 mm) and the results are dramatic. This produces a much faster recovery time with significantly less bruising than traditional liposuction.
Treatment areas include:
- Abdomen
- Hips
- Buttocks
- Inner Thighs
- Outer Thighs
- Front of Thighs
- Back of Thighs
- Back
- Chest
- Lower Legs
- Calves
- Face
Injection Lipolysis Non-Surgical Body Contouring
Injection Lipolysis, also known as fat-dissolving injections, is a minimally invasive, nonsurgical procedure that uses chemicals to break down fat cells under the skin. The destroyed fat cells are then metabolized and eliminated by the body’s natural processes.
A commonly known type of injection lipolysis is Kybella, the first and only FDA-approved injectable for those seeking to improve the appearance and profile of stubborn fat below the chin. Kybella is a non-surgical procedure that uses injections to break down fat cells and reduce the appearance of a double chin. When injected into the fat beneath the chin, Kybella destroys fat cells, resulting in a noticeable reduction in fullness under the chin. Once destroyed, these cells can no longer store or accumulate fat, so further treatment is not expected once you reach your desired aesthetic goal.
If you, like many, are curious about non-surgical body contouring but not sure where to start, schedule a consultation with us at Greenwich Medical Spa. Whether you want to confidently redefine your jawline or tackle trouble spots, we’re here to help.
¹ Lucie Wisco. Nonsurgical Body Contouring Healthline. June 2018. Source
