Body contouring procedures reshape areas of the body by reducing localized fat deposits. Traditional options, such as liposuction, require incisions, anesthesia, and a recovery period. Nonsurgical alternatives, known as lipolysis treatments, focus on breaking down fat cells. Modern lipolysis devices use cold, heat, or laser energy to target fat beneath the skin, reducing fat to add definition. These treatments are performed in a clinical setting without incisions. Here’s more information on nonsurgical body contouring methods and how they work to target fat cells:
Cold Lipolysis
Nonsurgical body contouring is for people who are at or near their goal weight. These treatments can address small, stubborn areas of fat rather than produce significant weight loss results. People with certain medical conditions, such as cold sensitivity disorders, may not qualify for cold-based treatments. Some common treatment areas include the:
- Abdomen
- Flanks
- Thighs
- Upper Arms
- Under the Chin
Cold lipolysis, or cryolipolysis, uses controlled cooling to target fat cells; sessions do not require incisions or anesthesia. Fat cells are more sensitive to cold temperatures than the surrounding skin and tissue. During treatment, a provider places an applicator on the treatment area, and this device freezes the fat layer beneath the skin. For the applicator to target one area, a gel pad is placed down before the device suctions the treatment area. This suction allows the cooling treatment to be applied evenly. Over the following weeks, the body processes the affected fat cells through its natural lymphatic system.
Heat Lipolysis
Heat lipolysis raises the temperature of fat cells to disrupt them, but the surface of the skin remains protected during sessions. Providers may use different energy sources to deliver this heat. Radiofrequency (RF) devices deliver electromagnetic energy into the fat layer. The energy heats fat cells to a target temperature, commonly between 42 and 47 degrees Celsius. Some RF systems use hands-free applicators, while others require a provider to move a handpiece across the skin.
Sessions often last 15 to 45 minutes, and most plans include several sessions spaced a few weeks apart. Some RF devices also help tighten the skin. Another heat lipolysis method uses high-intensity focused ultrasound to direct sound waves to a specific depth beneath the skin. HIFU sessions usually take about one hour, depending on the size of the area. The concentrated energy heats a focal point within the fat layer. Because the ultrasound passes through the skin’s surface, the outer skin tissue is not targeted.
Laser Lipolysis
Laser lipolysis also heats fat cells to disrupt them, but uses light energy, and some procedures require tiny incisions. Some practices offer laser-assisted liposuction, which is a minimally invasive procedure that involves inserting a thin laser fiber through a small incision to liquefy fat before removal. This option requires local anesthesia, so it involves more downtime than external laser treatments. Noninvasive laser lipolysis uses light energy to heat and disrupt fat cells from the skin’s surface, offering body-contouring and skin-tightening benefits. Nonsurgical laser devices deliver laser energy through flat applicators placed on the skin, and a built-in cooling system helps regulate the skin’s surface temperature during treatment.
Benefit From Body Contouring Treatments
Cold, heat, and laser lipolysis each use a different form of energy to target fat cells beneath the skin. The right choice depends on your treatment area, health history, and goals. Treatment plans, session counts, and timelines vary from person to person. A consultation with a qualified professional is the best place to start. Ask about the provider’s credentials, the devices they use, and what to expect after each session. Find a board-certified med spa near you to learn which body contouring treatment may suit your needs.
