Over the past few years, minimally invasive body contouring methods have gained extensive popularity as substitutes for old-school surgical techniques in body shaping and fat reduction. These no-surgery options allow a person to pursue his or her aesthetic goal with minimal risk, downtime, and without general anesthesia. In this article, various non-surgical methods for body contouring will be discussed along with their working mechanisms, effectiveness, and possible side effects. 

  1. Cryolipolysis (Fat Freezing)

Cryolipolysis or CoolSculpting is the name for the body-contouring technique that creates fat cells by using just controlled cooling. Here, cooling panels are applied to target areas freezing subcutaneous fat without causing damage to adjacent tissues. The frozen fat cells eventually undergo apoptosis and are later excreted from the body through the metabolic processes of the body. The U.S. Federal Drug Association has approved cryolipolysis in treating the abdomen, flanks, thighs, and submental area (double chin) (Ingargiola et al., 2015).  

Effectiveness: The studies show that cryolipolysis can manage a decrease in fat layer thickness of 10.3% to 28.5% after one treatment along with high patient satisfaction ratings (Ingargiola et al., 2015). But different results may apply to everyone, and several sessions can be needed to achieve the desired outcome. 

Side Effect: A few most frequent unwanted effects include transitory reddening, swelling, bruising, and numbness at the treatment site. A rare complication but important one is “paradoxical adipose hyperplasia” (PAH), where the area of fat treated becomes larger instead of diminished and needs surgery (Derrick and al. 2015). 

  1. High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU)

High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound is an advanced technology used to pass focused ultrasound energy through skin and fat to destroy fat cells. Thermal effects of HIFU cause the coagulative necrosis of adipocytes, which are subsequently metabolized by the lymphatic system. This also initiates the production of collagen, resulting in skin tightening (Jewell et al., 2011). 

Effectiveness: The clinical studies reported that there is considerable reduction of subcutaneous fat thickness along with body contour improvements following the treatment by HIFU. Results are often visible as soon as within a few weeks after treatment and progress steadily over several months (Jewell et al., 2011). 

Side Effects: Effects may include mild discomfort during surgery, redness, swelling, and bruising within the time frame. Mostly, these last for a short time and heal uneventfully. 

  1. Radiofrequency (RF) Energy

Radio frequency body contouring uses RF energy that heats the dermal and subdermal layers of the skin to cause collagen remodeling and apoptosis of the fat cells. This heating effect has skin tightening properties and leads to circumferential reduction in the treated areas. Thermage and Venus Freeze are among devices that use this technology for skin laxity and contour irregularities (Mulholland et al., 2011). 

Effectiveness: The RF treatment has been shown to reduce waist circumference as well as improve skin firmness. Multiple treatments are normally required to achieve optimum results; gradual improvement is appreciated over time (Mulholland et al., 2011). 

Side Effects: Patients could complain of transient erythema (redness), edema (swelling), and a warm sensation experienced during and after the procedure. Care of the technique and the device settings are important in avoiding risk of burning or uneven results. 

  1. Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is laser lipolysis; applying low-intensity laser to emulsify fat within the fat cells for subsequent metabolism and excretion. Usually performed to complement other body contouring procedures, LLLT maximizes fat removal (Nestor et al., 2013). 

Effectiveness: Although not enormous, LLLT has led to moderate changes in body circumference measurements and improvement in body contour. It would become very desirable to people whose desire for minor improvement might be accompanied by no downtime since this is a noninvasive procedure (Nestor et al., 2013). 

Side Effects: LLLT is generally very well tolerated, with few reported side effects. Some patients might experience transient redness or swelling in the area treated. 

  1. Injection Lipolysis

Injection lipolysis refers to treatment with such compounds as deoxycholic acid (e.g., Kybella) to fat pads specifically. This results in compromising fat cell membranes, prompting lysis, and absorption by the body’s immune system. Most commonly, this procedure is carried out for reducing submental fat (double chin) (Murdock, 2022).  

Effectiveness: This treatment usually consists of several therapies into which the patient receives slow fat loss in the first weeks. Clinical studies have provided solid evidence of improvement in submental fullness following injection lipolysis (Murdock, 2022).  

Side Effects: Typical side effects include swelling, bruising, pain, numbness, and hardness in the treatment area. Rare complications include nerve injury resulting in uneven smile with facial weakness but typically resolves in time (Murdock, 2022). 

Minimally invasive forms of body contouring can provide surgical alternatives for people wanting fat reduction and body contouring with lower risks and reduced downtime. Clinical trials and studies show that these non-surgical methods are effective. However, rather than thinking the best of them, patients should be encouraged to keep in mind that results will differ. This consultation should always be done with qualified professionals who will advise, based on individual goals and medical history, what treatment will best suit a client considering the anatomical structures involved. 

References

  1. Derrick, C. D., Shridharani, S. M., & Broyles, J. M. (2015). The safety and efficacy of cryolipolysis: A systematic review of available literature. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 35(7), 830-836. https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjv037 
  2. Ingargiola, M. J., Motakef, S., Chung, M. T., Vasconez, H. C., & Sasaki, G. H. (2015). Cryolipolysis for fat reduction and body contouring: Safety and efficacy of current treatment paradigms. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 135(6), 1581-1590. https://doi.org/10.1097/PRS.0000000000001236 
  3. Jewell, M. L., Solish, N. J., Desilets, C., & Smoller, B. R. (2011). Noninvasive body sculpting with focused ultrasound. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 35(5), 676-686. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-011-9680-y 
  4. Mulholland, R. S., Paul, M. D., & Chalfoun, C. (2011). Noninvasive body contouring with radiofrequency, ultrasound, cryolipolysis, and low-level laser therapy. Clinics in Plastic Surgery, 38(3), 503-520. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cps.2011.04.006 
  5. Murdock, J. (2022). Advances in injectable fat reduction: A review of deoxycholic acid. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 21(4), 987-993. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.14325 
  6. Nestor, M. S., Newburger, J., & Zarraga, M. B. (2013). The use of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for the treatment of cellulite. Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 15(4), 181-190. https://doi.org/10.3109/14764172.2013.809415 

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