Studies show that there is a growing interest in non-invasive fat reduction treatments. This is because such procedures have minimal effect on the day to day lives. Traditionally, liposuction was the only procedure for body contouring. The problem was the pain that came afterward, as well as the time is taken to recover. If you’re thinking of enhancing your features by getting rid of excess body fat, the San Antonio OB/GYN is the right place for you.
According to the 2018 International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, there were a total of 2,869,485 non-invasive treatments in the US. Additionally, studies show that the number of non-invasive body contouring treatments is growing at 21 percent annually.
In this article, we discuss some of the popular non-invasive body contouring treatments.
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy
Traditionally, surgeons would apply extracorporeal shockwave therapy to treat patients suffering from kidney stones to heal their wounds. Today this treatment is used to undertake body contouring procedures.
Electrical energy is converted to mechanical energy, which will only be limited to the targeted tissue. All the surrounding tissue will remain the same. You will require several treatments for you to get to the desired result.
This treatment is popular among women who want to reduce the appearance of their body cellulite as well as overall skin appearance.
Cryolipolysis
Cryolipolysis is a relatively new procedure that was introduced in 2007. Our body tissues contain adipocytes which store energy in the form of fat. These cells are highly sensitive to cold, making them ideal for a cryolipolysis procedure.
Cryolipolysis entails pulling the target tissue using two cooling panels. The surgeon uses cup-shaped applicators, which create a vacuum leading to constriction of blood cells. It’s a one-hour treatment process, and patients don’t see immediate results.
Moreover, you would have to undergo regular treatment sessions. A multicentre study revealed that this procedure was quite effective in reducing the abdomen and flank fat and less effective on the thighs and knees.
High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU)
This procedure converges high ultrasound energy to cut off targeted tissue. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has so far approved LipoSonix as a device for conducting the HIFU procedure.
The benefits of this treatment include no effect on blood lipids, no scarring, or burns making it very safe and efficient.
Low-Level Laser Therapy
This form of treatment is useful in both the reduction of fat as well as cellulite. Obese people benefit more from this therapy because the treatment works by acting on the mitochondria, thereby reducing oxidative stress. It further liquefies the body fat through a process known as emulsification.
The adipocytes (fat cells) are emulsified, thereby reducing their volume. The laser beams create a pore that allows movement of the emulsified fat substances, which are then removed. The best thing about this type of therapy is that every obese person qualifies for this treatment. This is because of its non-invasive nature that does not involve taking any medication.
Radiofrequency
Radiofrequency is an ablation technique whereby electronic waves are passed through the adipose tissue to reduce body fat. You must undergo several treatments to notice any significant changes.
Furthermore, it is recommended that you go for several sessions of low-temperature waves rather than fewer sessions of high temperature. This is to prevent damage to the adipose tissue. This treatment also reduces cellulite as well as minimize waistline love handles.
Aesthetic surgery has come a long way, so it’s safe to say that you are less likely to feel any pain during most procedures today. Always remember that everyone is different, so you need to visit a specialist who will advise you on the best body contouring treatment for you.