Non Surgical Body Contouring
Lipolysis, the medical term for destruction of fat cells, is one example of technology used for nonsurgical body contouring. It is not so much a weight loss solution, but more of a means to eliminate stubborn pockets of fat. Commonly treated areas of the body include: arms, back, abdomen, flanks (love handles), buttocks, neck, chin, and thighs. Benefits include little to no downtime and no incisions or scars. Typically, the results are gradual, taking weeks to months to occur. Multiple treatment sessions may be needed to achieve desired results. The table below shows the various methods used to achieve lipolysis, the mechanism of action, and common examples.
Method | Mechanism of Action | Service Offered in Office |
|---|---|---|
| Radiofrequency | Radiofrequency energy stimulates collagen production and improves skin laxity. It is often used to address sagging skin, loose jowls and wrinkles in various areas, including the face, eyes and neck. | Thermage |
| High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic Energy (HIFEM) | Electromagnetic energy induces intense muscle contractions that are far more powerful than voluntary exercise in arms, abdomen and thighs. | EmSculpt |
| Radiofrequency | Use of radiofrequency energy to create heat and destroy fat cells in arms, abdomen and thighs. | EmSculpt |
| Deoxycholic Acid Injections | Deoxycholic acid is a naturally occurring bile acid which helps digest fat. The synthetic (man made) version is used in cosmetics to help dissolve unwanted fat in a double chin. | Kybella |
Muscle toning is another example of non-surgical body toning. Devices such as EmSculpt, work by inducing involuntary muscle contractions in targeted areas leading to more toned and sculpted muscles.
Lastly, various options are available to help tighten and firm the skin. These non-surgical skin tightening procedures work by delivering targeted energy to heat the skin, inducing collagen and elastin production. Typically, the results are gradual, and multiple treatment sessions may be needed to achieve desired results. Examples include: radiofrequency treatments (Thermage).
