How Does Body Sculpting Work?

Some people are cursed with areas of stubborn body fat that just won’t budge, no matter how much they exercise, or how healthy their diet. That’s when body sculpting can help!

Stubborn fat is physiologically different from regular fat and therefore requires a different type of treatment to remove it. If you’ve tried all the recommended ways to rid your body of stubborn fat, yet can’t seem to achieve smooth, tight and toned skin, perhaps it’s time to get a little helping hand. You work hard on your body, so there’s no shame in using available new technology to rid your body of those last few pounds and finally getting that refined appearance you’ve always wanted.

Body sculpting—or body contouring as it is also referred to—is a non-invasive, non-surgical treatment that can help achieve the body of your dreams without having to spend hours sweating it out in the gym and without going under the knife.

Many areas of the body can be targeted with body contouring such as unwanted bulges around the abdomen, thighs, bottom, upper arms—essentially anywhere you’d like to see reshaped.

Due to the fact that it can be performed quickly, with minimal discomfort and downtime, it is growing in popularity with celebrities and regular joes alike. Celebrities including Kristin Davis, Molly Sims, Kris Jenner, and Gretchen Rossi have all been outspoken about their support of CoolSculpting.

There are several different body sculpting treatments, all of which work in a similar way by breaking down fat cells that are eventually flushed out of the body over the course of a few months.

CoolSculpting (also known as cryolipolysis) uses cold temperatures to freeze and destroy fat cells. The area being treated is sucked into an application that works in a similar way to a vacuum. The applicator is placed on the area where there is desired fat loss and then safely placed on the protected skin and the fat is frozen to a temperature as low as – 11 degrees. This process crystallizes the fat cells under the skin, and then the crystallized fat cells are eventually flushed from the body through urination.

The treatment can take around 45-minutes to an hour per area being treated, and while it is non-invasive and non-surgical, it can be uncomfortable. CoolSculpting can be used on almost any area of the body with minimal recovery period, however, it is FDA-cleared for the treatment of stubborn fat under the chin and jawline, thighs, abdomen, and flank, along with bra fat, back fat, upper arm fat, and fat underneath the buttocks. The average patient can see a 20 to 25 percent reduction of fat in the area in three months. However, this is not a treatment that will help anyone who is severely overweight. This treatment is for people who need help with unwanted bulges in problem areas that they have not been able to get rid of on their own with diet and exercise.

CoolTone is a noninvasive innovation in body contouring. Unlike its fat-freezing counterpart CoolSculpting, CoolTone’s Magnetic Muscle Stimulation—or MMS technology—penetrates through the skin and fat layers to target only the muscle layer, inducing involuntary muscle contractions. While CoolSculpting literally freezes and kills fat cells which are then naturally flushed out of the body, as a result of the contractions created by CoolTone, muscle fibers are toned, firmed, and strengthened fat on the abdomen, buttocks, and thighs which will be firmer and have a more defined and toned appearance after treatment. CoolTone is FDA-cleared to strengthen, tone, and firm three separate areas. Envision a more toned stomach, tighter thighs, and firm buttocks.

VelaShape uses a combination of infrared light, bipolar radiofrequency (RF) energy, massage, and gentle suction to destroy fat cells just below the surface of the skin. The treatment is delivered to the body via an FDA-approved handheld device that is pressed on the surface of the skin. The suction pulls the skin closer to the energy source inside, working with massage to help relax and stretch the stiff fibrous bands under the skin that cause the depressions and dimpling of cellulite. The infrared and RF energies heat the skin, tightening tissue and making fat cells shrink and, in some cases, die. It’s a quick procedure—typically only taking 20 to 30 minutes, though it can take longer for multiple areas—and it also improves blood circulation.

VelaShape enables you to safely achieve a toned, contoured and well-shaped body in typically three treatment sessions. The most commonly treated areas are the thighs, buttocks, upper arms, and stomach. It can also reduce excess fat and improve sagging under the chin.

Whether or not you experience pain during the treatments will largely depend on your pain threshold. What is painful to one person might only be uncomfortable to another, but you can expect to experience a stinging or burning sensation during some of the treatments. Unlike their surgical equivalents, they don’t require anesthesia, there’s no downtime and most can be done in your lunch break from work! However, keep in mind that you are likely to require more than one session depending on the area being treated.

Body sculpting is non-invasive, which means there is no cutting of the skin involved in the procedure. However, as with any cosmetic procedure, there are always elements of risk that must be taken into consideration before undergoing the procedure:

Common side effects:

• Redness, swelling and bruising around the treatment area
• Tingling, stinging or aching for a couple of weeks afterward
• Reduced sensation in the targeted area

Bear in mind that these side effects are temporary and won’t stop you from going about your day-to-day routine immediately after treatment.

Many people opt to get a helping hand in achieving their ideal body. If you feel that body sculpting might be the right procedure for you, make sure to research the different options, and find an experienced, trusted professional that will take the time to answer all your questions to ensure you are completely comfortable before committing to the procedure.

Enjoyed this article? Here are three more to help you look and feel great:

• 5 facts you need to know about stubborn fat
• 5 ways to eliminate stubborn fat
• Why Kristin Davis chose CoolSculpting