A Guide to Fat Reduction & Body Tightening

In a bid to lose weight and look slimmer, many have embarked on crash diets or diet supplements or even subscribed to a work out regime that promises weight loss in 2 weeks. All of which, may not have done much to help achieve your goals. Fortunately, we now have non-invasive devices that go through robust clinical studies to ensure safety and efficacy. There are many body treatments available – some are for fat reduction and others for body contouring. So, what is the difference?

Fat Reduction

Achieving a slim and toned physique via dieting and exercise may seem easy for some. For others, it is an uphill battle whether it’s a persistent stomach “pooch” post pregnancy or just stubborn fat in general on various parts of the body.

At Ageless Medical, we recommend a series of fat reduction treatments to remove unwanted fat, coupled with body contouring treatments to tighten and remove saggy skin from fat removal process. One thing to note – fat reduction does not always equate to weight loss, there may not be a decrease in weight after fat reduction treatments.

The body has 2 primary types of fat:

• Subcutaneous Fat
  In most people, 90% of body fat is subcutaneous, fat stored just beneath the skin that you can pinch – on your waist, arms, legs or anywhere else.
• Visceral Fat
  The remaining 10% is visceral fat or intra-abdominal fat that is stored within the abdominal cavity found around muscle and vital internal organs such as the liver, pancreas and intestines. Visceral fat may be a small percentage of body fat but it plays a large role in various health issues.

Ways to reduce subcutaneous fat:

The amount of subcutaneous fat depends on a variety of factors – genetics and lifestyle such as diet and physical activity. To reduce subcutaneous fat, it is recommended to diet – consuming lower calories than you burn. Increasing physical activity such as walking, running, cycling or swimming also helps reduce subcutaneous fat.

For some, stubborn fat may resist all exercising and dieting and may need treatments to help reduce fat. Liposuction is traditionally the go-to way to remove fat. Fortunately, there are non-invasive treatments such as CoolSculpting – a US FDA approved device that utilizes cryolipolysis (fat freezing) to eliminate up to 27% of fat cells in specific target areas. The treatment targets and cools fat cells to temperatures that trigger fat apoptosis (fat cell death), which is naturally removed by the body’s immune system.An applicator for double chin is available as well – CoolMini is able to reduce fat in the submental area. Each treatment cycle takes approximately 35 to 45 minutes.

Another non-invasive treatment that can reduce subcutaneous fat is TruSculpt iD – a US FDA approved device that delivers monopolar radiofrequency to heat targeted fat tissue to remove and eliminate fat cells by the body naturally. With 6 applicators, TruSculpt iD can spot reduce and treat larger or smaller areas simultaneously in 15 minutes, reducing up to 24% of fat cells. It also features Real-Time Temperature Control to ensure safety and comfort throughout the treatment. For double chin, there is a hand-held applicator that works to reduce double chin while tightening it.

Ways to reduce visceral fat:

For a waist circumference of over 88cm for females and 102cm for males, the World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that the above waistline is categorized under visceral obesity. This is potentially dangerous as it causes serious health problems.

There are several ways to reduce the accumulation of visceral fat. To start, maintain an active lifestyle with regular exercise on most days and choosing a balanced diet avoiding sugars.

Another non-invasive treatment is Redustim, a CE marked treatment that uses low-frequency BioMagnetic field to reduce visceral fat around vital organs. This space suit like treatment utilizes electromagnetic waves are emitted to induce muscle contraction and decongestion of fat cells. Simultaneously, there is a lymphatic drainage massage action that eliminates toxins and metabolic waste. The process is painless without any downtime and patients are recommended to avoid carbs and refined sugars in the following 4 – 6 hours after the treatment for optimal results.

Ways to reduce subcutaneous fat and visceral fat:

Emsculpt Neo can be used to reduce both subcutaneous and visceral fat. Emsculpt Neo is the first US FDA cleared device that non-invasively eliminate fat cells, by combining two technologies – radio frequency heating and HIFEM+ (high-intensity focused electromagnetic waves).

The radio frequency technology heats the muscles, preparing them for the contractions, similar to a warm up before a workout. This causes apoptosis (fat cell death) and the fat cells eventually eliminated by the body.

At the same time, the HIFEM+ technology causes 24,000 supramaximal contractions of the muscles. Supramaximal contractions refer to the super charged rate that the muscles are contracting at, and this cannot be done via exercise.

Emsculpt Neo has been proven to reduce an average of 30% of subcutaneous fat and an average of 14% of visceral fat. It can also reduce waist circumference by an average of 5.9cm. 

Body Tightening And Toning

For some, fat loss can result in excess loose saggy skin that may negatively impact self-confidence and quality of life. As the skin is stretched for a long period, it loses the ability to retract after fat is reduced from weight loss or fat reduction treatments. Fat reduction treatments can help reduce the amount of fat cells in the body. However, body tightening treatments are needed to help with the aftermath – loose, saggy skin from fat loss.

Non-invasive treatments like the Exilis Ultra 360 is a US FDA approved device that utilizes monopolar radiofrequency and ultrasound to treat loose saggy skin that is a result of aging or loss of fat. Skin laxity is caused by loss of connective tissue due to aging and storage of excess fat.

Radiofrequency and ultrasound is delivered via a handpiece to skin and with a built-in controlled heat system, skin is gently heated up to 42°C where collagen is regenerated to improve skin texture and laxity. It can be used on various body parts with high device recognition rate for the different areas and it is done without downtime, within approximately 30 minutes. Exilis Ultra 360 can also be used for the face and feminine health.

Another body tightening device is HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound). HIFU targets laxity around abdomen, arms, thighs, butts and chest; it can also remove stretch marks. The treatment takes 30 minutes and has no downtime and patients can resume daily activities after the treatment.

Other than reducing fat, Emsculpt Neo can also help to build muscle. As mentioned, the HIFEM+ technology creates supramaximal contractions, which targets 90-100% of the muscles during the treatment. Studies have found that the HIFEM technology can increase muscle mass by up to 25% on average. Core muscles can be strengthened with Emsculpt Neo and this also helps improve diastasis recti.

Diastasis recti is the partial or complete separation of the six-pack muscles, which meet at the midline of your abdomen. The condition is very common during and following pregnancy, as the uterus stretches the muscles in the abdomen to accommodate the growing baby. Diastasis recti can affect anyone, including newborn babies and men. It can result from lifting heavy weights incorrectly or performing excessive or unsafe abdominal exercises. A study found that HIFEM technology can reduce diastasis recti by 19.2% on average.

Fat Reduction And Body Tightening 

To effectively reduce subcutaneous and visceral fat, it is always recommended to adopt a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and regular exercise. However, stubborn fat may not be as easy to lose with diet and exercise alone and treatments are required.

For some, fat reduction treatment is enough as they may not have saggy, loose skin after losing fat. For others, body tightening treatment is needed after fat reduction treatment for optimum results. It is also important to note that regular exercise and a healthy diet will be required to help maintain the results after fat reduction and body tightening treatments.

At our clinic, a 360-degree body assessment will be done to assess our patient’s condition prior to treatment. Find out if you are a suitable candidate for our body treatments today!

To find out more about our treatments, please contact the doctor or therapist at Ageless Medical.

Ageless Medical
Tel ☎️: +65 6734 4007
WhatsApp (Call/Message) : +65 8181 0680
Email 📧: enquiry@iamageless.com.sg

Reference:

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/taking-aim-at-belly-fat

https://www.healthline.com/health/subcutaneous-fat#treatment