Non-Invasive Ultrasound Fat Reduction
If you have stubborn pockets of fat that have not gone away with diet and exercise, you are not alone. Many people have this same problem. Newer fat reduction treatments are a solution. They can help to improve body contours without surgery or scars and with very little downtime. One of the treatment options for non-invasive fat reduction is ultrasound technology. Continue reading to learn more about non-surgical fat reduction using focused ultrasound. Also learn how this technology compares to other non-invasive methods of getting rid of stubborn fat cells.
What is ultrasound fat reduction?
It is a non-surgical fat reduction method in which sound waves are used to break down stubborn fat cells in the treatment area. This is achieved through pressure changes. It is also known as ultrasound cavitation. The body can easily metabolize and remove the fat deposits under the skin after they have been broken down by ultrasound cavitation. The ultrasound energy acts on the subcutaneous fat (fat cells under the skin) without harming the surrounding tissue.
Ultrasound fat reduction is therefore a type of non-invasive body contouring. It is used to address problem areas like the abdomen and flanks. There are two ultrasound fat reduction methods approved by the FDA in the United States and elsewhere around the world - pulsed ultrasound technology called UltraShape and focused ultrasound technology called Liposonix - to get rid of stubborn fat cells.
How many ultrasound fat reduction treatments do you need? How long do the results last?
Most patients require 1 to 3 treatments with the fat reduction device, spaced about 2 weeks apart. Unlike invasive fat loss procedures like liposuction, non-invasive fat reduction treatments require no downtime. Recovery is faster and the risk of complications is lower.
The results are evident in 6-12 weeks following ultrasound treatment, once the body has a chance to absorb the fat cells. The results from focused ultrasound fat removal are permanent - the fat cells are destroyed and do not grow back. You can enjoy an improved body contour as long as you maintain your body weight.
Does ultrasonic fat cavitation really work?
Ultrasound fat reduction is safe, effective, and convenient. As noted, recovery is fast and downtime is minimal. Side effects and complications are rare. The results can vary from person to person, however. There are no large clinical trials that have demonstrated how well ultrasound cavitation fat reduction works. Data from some studies does suggest, however, that focused ultrasound is a good non-invasive alternative to liposuction surgery for patients desiring body contouring.
What is the safest fat removal procedure?
Ultrasound cavitation does not require any incisions or surgery. It is, therefore, safer than surgical procedures like liposuction or ultrasound liposuction. Recovery is also easier and faster from this type of fat removal treatment.
If you are in good overall general health, you do not smoke, and you are at or near a healthy body weight, then ultrasound fat reduction is a very safe procedure for you. However, it is worth remembering that it is a body contouring procedure, similar to CoolSculpting. Meaning, it is not for people who have a body mass index that qualifies them as overweight or obese and whose goal is to lose a lot of weight.
What is the best non-invasive fat reduction treatment?
Non-invasive body contouring can help get rid of subcutaneous fat in the treatment area. There are various options available to achieve this. These non-invasive treatments cannot replicate the results achieved with invasive treatments like liposuction. But they offer an alternative to surgery for individuals who are interested in getting rid of stubborn fat deposits.
Besides ultrasound fat removal, other types of body contouring procedures are available. One that is quite popular is called CoolSculpting. This is also a non-invasive treatment but it uses cryolipolysis (fat freezing) technology rather than ultrasound. Other non-invasive options for getting rid of fat deposits include laser lipolysis (SculpSure) and injectables (Kybella or deoxycholic acid). Each of these non-invasive fat reduction methods has pros and cons. Your aesthetic provider or cosmetic surgeon will discuss the various options with you and recommend the most appropriate one during your consultation.
The best way to get rid of subcutaneous fat for you may be different than it is for another person. Your doctor will recommend ultrasound vs laser lipolysis vs cryolipolysis depending on the area where you have fat deposits. Some parts of the body respond better to laser energy while others to cryolipolysis (fat freezing) and yet others to an ultrasound device for fat reduction.
Which is better: CoolSculpting or UltraShape?
Both treatments are FDA approved technologies and are safe and effective for patients wanting to get rid of fat deposits in problem areas. As noted, CoolSculpting uses cryolipolysis or fat freezing technology during the fat reduction procedures. UltraShape uses ultrasound waves to destroy fat cells.
There are many similarities between the two technologies. Both treatments can help in achieving focused reduction of fat cells in the thighs, flanks, and abdomen to address common problems like saddle bags, love handles, and muffin tops. Both require little to no downtime and are associated with a fast recovery. Also, both types of procedures require multiple treatment sessions. The full results are visible after a few weeks. Diet and exercise are necessary to maintain the results of both CoolSculpting and UltraShape.
CoolSculpting is ideal for patients who are at or near their goal weight. The treatment time is usually 60-90 minutes, which is somewhat less than the treatment time for UltraShape which can take 2 hours or more depending on the part of the body being treated.
However, ultrasound cavitation has some distinct advantages over CoolSculpting. It is easier to treat smaller or harder to reach areas with the ultrasound body contouring device. Also, patients usually experience less discomfort with the ultrasound treatments than with CoolSculpting body contouring.
Finding providers for non-invasive fat reduction treatments
If you are not sure which noninvasive fat reduction method is right for you, a plastic surgeon can help you decide. Laser energy and cryolipolysis treatments are good options for non-invasive body contouring. Ultrasound is another treatment option that may be best suited to your aesthetic goals and get you the desired results. The important thing is to choose a provider who offers a whole range of noninvasive fat reduction treatments. They will evaluate you as a candidate and suggest the best way to get rid of stubborn fat cells.
The MeTime app makes it easy to find an experienced aesthetic provider or cosmetic surgeon in your area. You can click and upload pictures, chat with experts, and have suggestions sent directly to you. The app connects you with licensed and certified experts with proven track records in CoolSculpting, SculpSure, Kybella (deoxycholic acid), radiofrequency, pulsed ultrasound, focused ultrasound, and other noninvasive fat reduction technologies.
Want to set up an appointment for non-invasive fat reduction with ultrasound? Interested in discussing alternative treatments to get rid of stubborn fat cells? Try the MeTime app now!