While adjusting your diet and exercise habits should always be your first point of call when trying to tone your figure, this alone is sometimes not enough. Many people find that stubborn pockets of fat simply refuse to shift, no matter how often they may work out or how healthy their meals may be.
That’s where body contour treatments come in. There are now several non-surgical procedures to choose from, each one designed to sculpt and define to give you the silhouette of your dreams. Read on as Introlift talks you through a few of your options.
What Are Body Contour Treatments?
Body contouring, which is also referred to as body sculpting, involves reshaping certain areas of the body. Many assume that these treatments can be used to help a person quickly lose weight, but this isn’t the case.
Instead, body contour procedures can help to eliminate excess pockets of fat in areas where traditional weight loss methods haven’t been successful. Each treatment will use a different method to do so, but they all generally focus on destroying fat cells. This adds definition to the body.
That said, body contouring treatments are also useful after significant weight loss has occurred since they can help to tighten excess skin.
The Best Non-Surgical Body Contouring Treatments
While liposuction, tummy tucks, and other surgical procedures have their place, it’s always wise to give non-surgical treatments a try first. They come with far fewer risks and side effects. Plus, thanks to huge advancements in technology, will usually do such a good job that surgical procedures would no longer be needed.
Let’s take a closer look at two of the most effective non-surgical body contour treatments available:
BTL Vanquish
BTL Vanquish is a body contouring treatment that makes use of contactless radiofrequency (RF) technology. The device is positioned over the area of the skin that’s to be treated, with the RF energy that it emits targeting only the fat cells in the skin.
The heat that this treatment exposes fat cells to kicks off their destruction process, causing them to slowly start to die. This process is known as apoptosis, aka natural cell death.
As these fat cells die, the liver processes them as waste and the lymphatic system removes them from the body.
Each treatment takes about 45 minutes, although this does depend on how much of your body is being treated. For best results, a series of treatments is recommended. The number of treatments that you’ll need will depend on the results that you’re hoping to see. However, since the treatments are quick and easy, and don’t require any downtime, it’s so convenient to squeeze one into your day.
In terms of results, these aren’t noticeable immediately. They rarely are when it comes to non-surgical body contour procedures. The body needs time to eliminate all of the treated fat cells before fat thickness starts to decline. This starts to happen about three weeks after treatment, with full results becoming visible after roughly two or three months.
BTL Exilis Elite
BTL Exilis Elite is another body contouring treatment that makes use of RF energy. However, unlike BTL Vanquish, BTL Exilis Elite combines RF energy with ultrasound technology. This means that, in addition to destroying fat cells, this treatment also has the ability to stimulate collagen production in the skin.
Collagen is one of the main proteins that gives the skin its structure and firmness. The more collagen in your skin, the smoother your skin will look, making this a great treatment for also tightening up the appearance of loose skin and cellulite.
Just like with BTL Vanquish, a series of four to six treatments is usually needed to produce the best results. These are best spaced about a week apart. The fat reduction results can be seen after the same timeframe – three weeks to three months. Most patients also need to wait for a couple of months before they see improvements in skin laxity since this is how long it takes for the skin to build new collagen fibers.
Choosing Between BTL Vanquish and BTL Exilis Elite
As you can see, both BTL Vanquish and BTL Exilis Elite have a few things in common. So, how do you pick between these two popular body contour procedures?
Well, when it comes down to it, BTL Vanquish sends its energy deeper into the skin than BTL Exilis Elite. This enables it to target large areas of fat. As a result, it’s usually the preferred option for people looking to treat their abdomen, thighs, and arms.
On the other hand, BTL Exilis Elite is more about superficial fat reduction, as well as skin tightening. The device for this procedure is smaller and hand-held, meaning that it’s better suited for smaller pockets of fat. While BTL Vanquish sculpts larger areas of the body, BTL Exilis Elite is more about adding detailed definition. This makes it the preferred procedure for treating areas like the buttocks, the neck, and the knees.
That said, there’s no reason why these two treatments can’t be combined for the ultimate body contouring results. BTL Vanquish is usually used first on a larger part of the body, followed by BTL Exilis to hone in on specific areas.
Do Body Contouring Treatments Hurt?
While some body contouring treatments may cause a small degree of pain, the two that we’ve featured above are renowned for their painless nature.
Instead, during the procedure, as well as for a little while after, you’ll feel a warm sensation in your treated areas. It feels similar to using a heating pad or to having a hot stone massage. It’s a gentle, comfortable, and relaxing warmth!
Do Body Contouring Treatments Have Any Side Effects?
Being non-surgical in nature, the body contouring treatments that we’ve shared above come with a very low risk of side effects.
Most people experience a warmth in the treated areas of their skin for a few hours after their treatment, but this isn’t uncomfortable in any way. The other mild side effects, including redness, bruising, and swelling, are temporary too and tend to resolve on their own.
Of course, just like with any treatment, there is the possibility of more serious side effects. However, these aren’t common with the above BTL treatments, which is why those procedures are such a hit. The biggest risks tend to come from fat-freezing body contouring treatments.
One way to protect yourself from having to deal with any side effects following your treatment is to undergo your procedure at an established and reputable medical spa, like Introlift. With our expertise, care, and cutting-edge methods, you’ll be able to experience the best results without any of the downsides.
Ensuring Long-Lasting Results From Your Body Contouring Treatment
The beauty of these non-invasive body contouring treatments is that their results can last indefinitely. Once a fat cell dies off, it’s not going to regrow.
That said, other fat cells can take their place if you put weight on. In order to prevent this from happening, you’ll need to follow a few maintenance steps:
Stay Hydrated Before and After Your Treatment
In order for your body contouring treatment to be as effective as possible, you need to make sure that your body is fully hydrated.
Ideally, try to drink one to two liters of water the day before your treatment. This will make it easier for the RF energy to target your fat cells since they’ll contain large water molecules.
Maintain that level of fluid consumption after your treatment as well. This will encourage your lymphatic system to eliminate fat cells as quickly as possible. The more effectively it does so, the more successful your treatment will be.
If you struggle to consume that much water each day, there are a few ways in which you can encourage yourself to drink more water. Start by carrying a water bottle around with you, so that you always have access to water, wherever you may be. Flavoring your water can also help to make it taste more appealing. Adding fresh fruits and herbs to your water will give it a delicious twist.
Of course, topical hydration can help too, especially if you’re hoping for skin tightening results. Applying hydrating products to your skin will ensure that your skin cells have direct access to any extra moisture that they may need.
Regular Exercise
Non-surgical body contouring treatments come with zero downtime, meaning that you can get back to your usual exercise schedule immediately after your procedure.
Regular exercise is so important when it comes to maintaining your body contouring results. It’s a big part of weight management, which you need to prioritize if you want your treated areas to remain free of excess fat.
Ideally, you should be doing 30-60 minutes of exercise, at least five times a week. Pick activities that get your heart pumping – a cardio workout is always beneficial!
Good Nutrition
Of course, weight management isn’t solely about exercise. The food that you eat plays a huge role in this too.
Ideally, your diet should be well-balanced, nutritious, and low-carb. Try to fill your plates with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Not only will these help to give your body the nutrients that it needs but fresh produce also has a high water content. This will aid in keeping your body hydrated.
As much as possible, cut out processed foods and sugar while also reducing your intake of alcohol. All of these foods significantly contribute to weight gain and fat development without providing any real benefits to the body.
Summary
It’s not always easy to get rid of stubborn fat cells from the body, especially as you reach the middle and later stages of life. At this point, fat cells simply aren’t as responsive to dietary and exercise changes as they used to be.
However, this is something that body contour procedures excel at. Whether you’re hoping to reduce the amount of fat around your stomach or want to tone up your neck and your upper arms, chances are that there’s a non-invasive body contouring treatment available that can help you to do just that.
Interested in the body contouring treatments available at the Introlift Medical Spa? Click here to book a consultation with us to find out more!