Alternatives to non-surgical liposuction are big business. Perhaps you have undergone one of these treatments or are thinking about it. There is a lot of publicity out there, so it is important to know what each treatment can accomplish before taking the plunge and paying a not inconsiderable sum of money for a treatment.

There are several methods of body contouring. Most work on the idea of ​​eliminating subcutaneous fat cells (fat just under the skin rather than inside the body). One method, Contours Body Wrap, however, works by stimulating the muscles to give a temporary tightening effect and using mineral clays applied to the body to purportedly leach toxins from problem cellulite areas. (Cellulite according to some people has a dimpled appearance due to the toxins it contains). In fact, the treatment provides a loss of centimeters that can last around 30 days. In fact, it guarantees the loss of centimeters or the return of your money. Be careful though, the company claims you will lose six inches and this is a point that many treatment professionals are guilty of; because the given measurements are cumulative. In other words, the doctor will measure you in several different areas and add them all together. The treatment involves the application of electrodes to the skin for muscle stimulation and also the application of a clay body treatment. It can be a bit tricky! Typically a loss of 1 or 2 cm can be measured immediately after treatment for a single measurement.

Of the localized fat reduction techniques there are three contenders. Laser lipolysis, ultrasonic cavitation and cryo-lipolysis or ‘Coolsculpting’ as it is sometimes called. (Coolsculpting is actually a trademark of Zeltiq, but it describes what the procedure does very well.)

Laser lipolysis or Lipo laser for short has been a popular salon treatment for a while now. The treatment works by using a particular frequency of laser light that penetrates about 6 cm down into the subcutaneous fat layer and causes the fat cells to release their stored content, deflating them and thus causing an inch loss.

How it really works is a bit more complicated. Each fat cell contains a mixture of fat, sugar and water, this mixture is called triglycerides. In every cell there are basic structures called mitochondria that are the cell’s source of energy. When the body exercises and available fuel derived from food is depleted, the mitochondria in fat cells signal the cells to begin releasing their fat content for use by the body for fuel. Then changes occur in the cell membrane; it becomes more permeable and this allows the fat to be released. This fat is absorbed by the lymphatic system and transported to where it is needed.The frequency of the laser light used in Laser Lipo mimics this signal and causes the mitochondria to release the fat from the cells of the lymphatic system and the body uses it slowly for fuel. .

The desired area is treated by applying paddles that are embedded with cold laser diodes, the light of which penetrates the skin into the subcutaneous fat layer and causes the fat cells to release their content. With Laser Lipo it is important to exercise after the treatment to ensure that the fat is burned, as the fat cells can reabsorb it. You will need eight to ten sessions to achieve good results. Session prices typically range from £ 40 to £ 60 for a single treatment in a single area. You would not have more than two areas treated at a time. Treatments can be done twice a week. It can be used anywhere on the body except the breasts. Vigorous exercise is required after treatment for up to an hour to minimize the risk of fat cell recharge. Small results, typically 1 or 2 cm loss, can be measured immediately after treatment.

Ultrasonic cavitation is a completely different treatment than laser lipolysis. As the name suggests, it uses ultrasound. Cavitation is the term given to the spontaneous formation, expansion and contraction of small microbubbles within the liquid. In fact, cavitation is a phenomenon that in most cases we seek to avoid because it is destructive. The phenomenon is known in engineering where it can cause serious structural damage to moving parts such as ship propellers. However, in a medical setting where it is applied in a very controlled manner, it can be used to selectively destroy fatty tissue. What makes this treatment very different from laser lipolysis is the fact that it not only flushes fat cells, but destroys them, which means that those cells cannot simply be filled with fat. The body will have to produce new fat cells, and as long as your weight is stable, this is something it does not want to do. The body only produces new fat cells when the old fat cells have reached a certain capacity. The area is treated by massaging it with an ultrasound transducer. The ultrasound waves penetrate the targeted areas and cause the destruction of fat cells.

You will need between five and eight treatments to achieve good results. Treatment prices are around £ 80 to £ 100 per treatment per area, but you should be aware that this may offer you a more permanent fat loss treatment than laser lipolysis. You would not have more than two areas treated at a time. One treatment every week to ten days to allow the body to properly eliminate fatty tissue as metabolic waste. It can be used anywhere on the body except the breasts. No post-treatment exercise is required. Small results, typically 1 to 2 cm loss, can be measured immediately after treatment with further reductions for up to a week as the body breaks down cells.

Again, cryo-lipolysis works differently than laser lipolysis or ultrasound cavitation, but like cavitation, fat cells are destroyed rather than simply flushed out. Cryo lipolysis uses extreme cold to selectively kill fat cells. The method was developed by Harvard University after scientists searched for old data from the 1960s that referred to studies done on a condition called paddlefish panniculitis. Popsicle panniculitis developed in children who ate a lot of popsicles. They lost some fat on their cheeks and a link was established between the cold and the death of fat cells. This phenomenon has been refined and refined to become one of the most innovative treatments in recent years. The area is treated by sucking the fatty tissue into an applicator where it cools to a point that it causes the fat cells to die but does not damage the skin or other tissues. Treatment can reduce fat cells by up to 25% in a single treatment session. However, the downside is that it can only be used with loose grease that you can suck up with the applicator. So a flabby tummy is an ideal treatment zone, while firmer fat on the thighs, for example, is not.

You will need only one treatment per area and could have up to six areas treated at one time. Prices range from £ 600 to £ 1000 per area. Only suitable for softer fatty tissues such as the stomach, flanks (love handles), upper arms and possibly inner thighs or inner knees. No post-treatment exercise is required. Results take about eight weeks to develop, but it is well worth the wait.

Radio frequency. Although it is not specifically a fat reduction treatment, it deserves a mention here because it can treat and improve the appearance of cellulite. It works on the layer of fat and reduces it, but not enough to be used only as a method of loss of centimeters. However, because it works so superficially, it is ideal for treating cellulite. Cellulite is the firm but dimpled fatty areas typically found on the thighs and buttocks of women. Radio frequency waves penetrate this layer and cause microtrauma to connective tissues (collagen) embedded within fatty tissues, causing the production of new collagen. This new collagen replaces the old damaged collagen structures giving a much more uniform appearance to the area. The radio frequency will also act to a small degree on the fat cells causing them to release their contents, which will help to smooth and smooth the area. Radio frequency will also help tighten loose skin after weight loss. No post-exercise treatment is required. Results, not loss of inches, but a smoother contour as cellulite is reduced.

So which method is best for body contouring? Well, it depends a lot on what you are trying to achieve. If you just want a temporary solution to looking great on a special occasion, a contour body wrap works well.

If you are a very active person who only wants a small adjustment to your waist circumference, laser lipolysis will work well.

For general reduction of the size of an area, for example, waist circumference, thigh circumference, etc., ultrasonic cavitation is a good choice, especially if you don’t like exercise!

To target pockets of fat like the tummy bulge, cryo lipolysis works better than any other non-surgical treatment available today, providing a significant reduction in fat in one treatment. Although not cheap, the cumulative costs of the other treatments can add up to as much as a cryogenic treatment and remember that you only need one treatment to get the results you want.

Radio frequency is great for targeting cellulite areas and also for loose skin after weight loss.

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