In the past, cosmetic surgeries were the only way to sculpt your body and get the perfect figure. Yet, these days, non-surgical body contouring procedures are ten times more common than liposuction. From 2017 to 2019, non-invasive body contouring procedures increased by forty-three percent.
If you seek a way to slim down and get the perfect figure before summer, body sculpting may be the answer! This post will provide a guide to various types of body sculpting procedures and explain their use.
What is Body Sculpting?
Many individuals use body sculpting treatments to reduce fat in specific areas of their body or reshape their body so that it appears slimmer. Some techniques require surgery, but there are also non-surgical body sculpting methods.
Surgical procedures ordinarily follow massive weight loss and help individuals get their desired body shape and remove excess skin. Those looking for less invasive body sculpting options may wish to try a non-surgical procedure.
While minimally invasive or non-surgical body sculpting methods sound appealing, you may wonder if they are indeed an effective way to lose fat and achieve your desired body shape.
Does Body Sculpting Work?
Body sculpting is an excellent way to reduce stubborn fat. The techniques vary, and some are more effective than others. Surgical procedures usually provide the most drastic results but involve a longer recovery process.
Non-surgical methods are fantastic alternatives and usually provide long-lasting results after multiple sessions. For the best outcome, candidates should be close to their desired weight before starting treatment. Body sculpting is a way to eliminate stubborn pockets of fat in specific areas, but not all over the body.
So how does body sculpting work? Let’s look at some of the surgical and non-invasive treatments to understand them better.
Liposuction
Liposuction is a popular surgical procedure in which doctors suck out pockets of fat from the body. Patients can have liposuction in areas like the hips, buttocks, thighs, or stomach.
Of course, the duration of the recovery process depends on the treated area. However, it usually takes about two weeks to get back to normal activities.
Abdominoplasty
Those wishing to flatten their abdomen may want to have an abdominoplasty, also called a tummy tuck. It works by removing your extra skin and fat and tightens your abdominal muscles.
The operation takes anywhere from one to five hours, depending on the amount of fat and skin you wish to remove. Of course, recovery will take several weeks.
Belt Lipectomy
This type of surgery removes loose skin or fat on the waistline. It is mainly for those who have lost a great deal of weight and have extra skin that sags around the belt. By removing this excess skin, the surgery will lift the buttocks higher as well.
Brachioplasty
Another surgery that can sculpt your body is Brachioplasty (also called an arm lift). It can reduce sagging underarms, remove excess fat, and tighten the tissue. As a result, your arms will look more toned and defined.
Endymed
Endymed is an effective way to contour, shape, and tighten skin without surgery. It reduces fat cells and improves skin texture, especially in areas with cellulite or stretch marks. Endymed uses radiofrequency to enhance circulation and restore collagen to the skin.
This treatment is effective on the body and face, so it can work in any area you desire. It is also recommended for all types of skin and was approved by the FDA. Usually, multiple and consistent treatments are needed to get the best results.
Cryolipolysis
Cryolipolysis, or CoolSculpting, is an FDA-approved treatment that uses cold temperatures to destroy fat cells in various areas. Your body eventually flushes out these cells through the lymphatic system.
CoolSculpting is useful in areas such as the:
- Abdomen
- Arms
- Thighs
- Flanks
- Back
- Area under the buttocks
- Double chin
One treatment may last anywhere from thirty to sixty minutes, and you can resume regular activities afterward. However, you will need many treatments to get your desired results.
Laser Lipolysis
Another FDA-approved method is SculptSure, which uses laser energy to heat up and destroy fat cells. Due to the high temperatures, the fat cells die, and the body flushes them out through the lymphatic system after about twelve weeks from the first treatment.
Laser Lipolysis works best in areas such as the abdomen or flanks. Each treatment takes about twenty-five minutes to complete, and it will take several to see the intended results.
Radiofrequency Lipolysis
Other body contouring methods use ultrasound technology. UltraShape and BTL Vanquish ME are both approved by the FDA. These procedures are mild and cause little or no discomfort.
Most patients use radiofrequency lipolysis to treat stubborn fat in the abdomen or flanks. Each treatment lasts an hour, and as with other methods we have discussed, results require multiple treatments.
Injection Lipolysis
Another body sculpting treatment is Kybella, an injection that treats fat under the chin. It utilizes a synthetic form of deoxycholic acid, a substance that your body naturally produces.
This substance helps absorb fat, so it can kill fat cells when injected. A few weeks after the treatment, the body metabolizes the dead cells.
While this is a great way to eliminate fat, it only is used on the chin. The treatments take about thirty minutes and may cause some swelling or bruising.
Look Better Than Ever with Body Sculpting
Body sculpting procedures, whether surgical or non-invasive, are beneficial and can help you achieve the body of your dreams. No matter what area you want to sculpt, you can find an effective treatment that works for you!
The information in this post can help you choose your preferred body sculpting method, but a medical professional can let you know if you are the right candidate for these treatments.
Would you like to learn more about health and fitness? If so, check out more of our exciting posts!
