Summer bodies are made in winter, and now’s the time to take advantage of the exceptional non-surgical body contouring technology that can remove fat and even build muscle.
We live in a world full of technical advances and marvels, and lucky for us that includes new methods to remove excess fatty deposits and create a more svelte silhouette without any surgery or downtime. The non-surgical body contouring market is evolving – in addition to fat reduction, we are now seeing a new category of treatment is emerging: muscle building and toning.
Non-surgical body contouring procedures are increasing in popularity, rising 43 percent from 2017 and quadrupling since 2012, according to a 2019 report from the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS). For every one liposuction procedure, there are more than 10 non-invasive body sculpting treatments, according to the ASDS. And that’s not counting the new muscle definition technology. In 2019 non-surgical muscle toning treatment had the highest year-over-year growth (450%), according to the RealSelf Aesthetic Trends Report.
Comfortable, in-office lunchtime procedure
Anaesthesia isn’t required for non-surgical body contouring, and treatments are performed in an in-office setting, some in as little as 15 minutes. There is no downtime, minimal patient discomfort, and complications are rare. In conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise regime, results should be long lasting because, just as with liposuction, when fat cells are permanently destroyed they will not return.
Although non-surgical body contouring devices offer an effective means for achieving a more streamlined body shape – commonly targeting treatment areas such as the abdomen and thighs – it’s worth remembering that no non-surgical device can achieve the level of fat removal possible with liposuction. It’s therefore important to have realistic expectations of what non-surgical body contouring can achieve, both in terms of the amount of fat that can be targeted, and the length of time it will take to see results.
That being said, today’s body contouring technology devices offer outstanding results for the right patient – without the surgery and associated risks and downtime of liposuction.
The best candidates are usually those with small to medium localised fat deposits that are resistant to diet and exercise, rather than those seeking large-volume fat removal. For muscle building and toning treatment, just about anyone is a suitable candidate.
How non-surgical body contouring devices work
Most devices harness some form of energy and use heat or cold to kill unwanted fat cells – be it radiofrequency, ultrasound, laser, cryotherapy or electromagnetic therapy – to penetrate the skin and either break down underlying fat or stimulate muscles.
Targeted fat cells are destroyed and excreted naturally via the body’s lymphatic system over a period of several weeks. Most devices require a series of treatments spaced several weeks apart for optimum results. Fat reduction treatments can reduce fat in the targeted area by about 20%.
Here, we summarise some of the most popular non-surgical body contouring devices available in Australia.
FAT REDUCTION
Radiofrequency (RF) body contouring
This non-surgical treatment uses radiofrequency (RF) energy to reduce pockets of fat. The energy is emitted via an applicator through the skin without damaging the outer layers, only targeting the underlying fat and tissues.
With RF body contouring treatment, the heat generated from the RF energy dissolves fat cells and causes microscopic changes to tissues and collagen fibres, with further collagen remodelling occurring over the subsequent months following the procedure. The broken down fat cells are drained via the lymphatic system and then excreted as urine. An added bonus is that it can also improve skin tone and the look of cellulite.
The full effects may not be visible for several months as the improvements are cumulative. You will gradually notice changes such as circumferential reduction of the treated area, a reduction in cellulite and a more streamlined body shape. Radiofrequency body contouring treatments are non-invasive, cause minimal discomfort and typically require no downtime.
Body contouring systems that use RF energy include truSculpt iD by Cutera and EnCurve by Lutronic.
Laser body contouring
Non-invasive fat reduction using hyperthermic laser uses heat to destroy the fat cells and can work wonders on the love handles and abdomen.
It uses a specific laser wavelength to target and destroy fat cells below the dermis. Multiple areas can be treated at once in just 25 minutes, and all skin types are suitable. The controlled hyperthermic laser induces fat cell injury by raising fat temperature to a range of 42 to 47˚C – the ideal temperature to eliminate fat cells, without damage to surrounding tissue.
There is no downtime and minimal, if any, discomfort. Results can be seen around six weeks after treatment as the body naturally metabolises the destroyed fat. A series of treatments is typically recommended for optimum results.
Laser body contouring devices in Australia include SculpSure by Cynosure.
Cryolipolysis body contouring
This method uses almost-freezing temperatures to kill fat cells without traumatising the surrounding tissues or harming the skin. A gel drape is placed onto the target area to protect the skin before the applicator head is placed onto the fat pocket. The applicator acts like a vacuum to suck the area into position and direct the cold temperature to the target fat cells under the skin, which are then destroyed and eliminated naturally by the body.
Patients experience a gradual cooling sensation, similar to placing the area in iced water, but this subsides as the body gets used to the change.
Generally, at least two to three treatments are recommended. The results of cryolipolysis are gradually appear over time, with full results seen at least a couple of months after.
Common body contouring devices using cryolipolysis in Australia include CoolSculpting by Allergan Aesthetics and CLATUU and Cooltech from Cryomed Aesthetics.
Ultrasonic body contouring
Ultrasonic body contouring treatments use non-thermal targeted ultrasound frequencies to break down fat, particularly on the abdomen, hips, thighs and ‘love handles’.
The focused ultrasound waves are delivered in short bursts of energy, or pulses, to destroy fat cells while leaving surrounding tissue, nerves and blood vessels unaffected. The ultrasound waves create a cavitation effect in the target fat cells – a process where the fat cell membranes are damaged with each pulse of energy so that the contents of the fat cells (triglycerides) are dispersed and processed by the body. The fat cell contents are then flushed out by the body’s lymphatic system.
Generally, a series of treatments per area achieves noticeable, measurable results, although some patients note a circumferential reduction in the area after the first treatment. It can take around four weeks for the final result to be visible as the body gradually eliminates the fatty debris.
The treatment is generally considered to be pain-free, with some patients experiencing slight discomfort related to the suction action.
Body shaping devices using ultrasound technology include UltraShape Power by Candela Medical.
MUSCLE SCULPTING
Muscle building, toning and sculpting devices are an exciting new addition to the non-surgical body contouring market and quickly rising in popularity.
Most use electromagnetic stimulation to strengthen and tighten the abdominal, gluteal and thigh muscles through methods of contraction and stimulation (called supramaximal contractions) – delivering tens of thousands of muscle contractions in a 30-minute session (obviously not physically possible during normal exercise).
During muscle toning treatment, applicators are placed on areas of the body and generate an electromagnetic field that stimulates the motor neuron cells of the body’s muscles, causing the muscle to contract as it would during movement or exercise.
When exposed to supramaximal contractions, the muscle responds with a deep remodelling of its inner structure, resulting in the growth of myofibrils (muscle hypertrophy) and creation of new protein strands and muscle fibers (muscle hyperplasia). Increased muscle density and volume lead to a better definition and muscle tone.
Some muscle building devices have shown a 16% average increase in muscle mass, and even a reduction in reduction in Diastasis recti (abdominal separation caused by pregnancy).
A series of treatments is usually recommended with results seen 3-4 weeks after completion of the treatment plan.
Muscle building and toning devices currently available in Australia include StimSure by Cynosure, truSculpt FLEX by Cutera, EmSculpt by BTL Aesthetics, TeslaFORMER from Cryomed Aesthetics and CMSlim Contouring Master by MM Medical Aesthetics.
Even the most disciplined gym-goer will typically have little pockets of fat they just can’t budge or ares on the body lacking in definition, despite repeated weights and workouts. With the latest advancements in body contouring technology, there are options out there to remove fat and sculpt muscle without lifting a finger.
