How Does Non-Invasive Liposuction Work?

Liposuction is among the most common forms of plastic surgery. While it can be highly effective at removing stubborn fat deposits that do not respond to diet and exercise, it is an invasive procedure that requires downtime. Many people are wary of traditional liposuction due to an aversion to surgery in general and concerns about the time commitment for recovery. In recent years, many non-invasive liposuction options have emerged.

Extreme cold temperatures, electromagnetic energy, and more can help kill fat cells and sometimes trim and tone the body as well. If you are considering non-surgical liposuction, we’ll provide you with an overview of your best options.

What Is Non-Invasive Liposuction?

Non-invasive liposuction is an umbrella term referring to a variety of non-surgical methods of fat reduction. The best means to determine the right type of non-surgical liposuction for you is to book a consultation with a professional. They can discuss your goals and expectations and identify the best treatment path suited to your individual needs.

How Does Non-Invasive Liposuction Work?

CoolSculpting

This is probably the procedure most often thought of as “non-invasive liposuction.” It’s designed specifically for fat reduction, whereas other methods may offer fat reduction in addition to skin tightening and muscle toning.

The idea of CoolSculpting was invented when scientists observed what happens to the body during frostbite. It was observed that fat cells would die after repeated exposure to cold in certain circumstances. CoolSculpting works by using a handheld device specifically tuned to kill fat without freezing the skin.

During CoolSculpting, your practitioner will apply gel to the treatment area and run the device over your skin. The entire process takes between 35 and 60 minutes and can remove up to 20 to 25% of fat from a specific area.

While your immune system begins to clear dead fat cells from the body right away, the whole process takes several weeks. You will not see results right away, but they will be quite dramatic when they do appear. Most patients are quite happy with their final outcome.

CoolSculpting is not painful, has minimal side effects, and comes with no recovery time. In some cases, you may notice rashes and redness near the treatment site, but in most cases this clears up within a few days.

Evolve

Evolve uses a combination of radiofrequency energy and EMS to tighten the skin, reduce fat cells, and build and tone muscles. While CoolSculpting focuses mostly on fat loss, Evolve addresses other issues that typically occur alongside dramatic weight loss like a loss of skin elasticity.

During treatment, your practitioner places the Evolve device on the treatment area. Sessions typically take between 20 and 60 minutes. Some patients feel a slight tingling sensation, but Evolve is usually not painful. Most patients need between three to eight treatments to see full results.

In the weeks following treatment, patients notice a significant reduction in fat and sagging skin as well as increased muscle definition. Results will continue to improve for eight to twelve weeks following treatment.

Like CoolSculpting, you can resume daily activities immediately after treatment and Evolve carries minimal risks of side effects.

EmSculpt

During a workout, muscles contract, which helps both burn fat and create definition. EmSculpt uses high-intensity electromagnetic energy to trigger supramaximal contractions. Treatment is the equivalent of doing 20,000 crunches in 30 minutes.

EmSculpt can result in fat loss as high as 19%. It also causes muscles to become thicker and stronger, creating definition, tone, and an overall improvement in appearance. An additional benefit of EmSculpt is its potential to improve cardiovascular health via fat reduction. Plus, strengthening muscles can help with your overall fitness level. EmSculpt is sometimes used for rehabilitation of severely weakened muscles. 

During EmSculpt, your practitioner secures the hand-piece on the treatment area. Treatment lasts around 30 minutes. Some patients find treatment uncomfortable, but it is not typically painful. 

Some patients feel mild soreness after EmSculpt, similar to what you would feel after an intense workout, but you can resume regular activities right away. Any pain should subside within a few days.

Does Non-Invasive Liposuction Have Limitations?

As with surgical liposuction, weight gain can diminish results over time. With some options – like CoolSculpting – if you gain weight, you may notice it more in untreated areas. The best way to maintain results long term is a healthy diet and regular physical activity.

In some cases, liposuction may be the better option. As it can be more difficult to target fat with external treatment, fat in hard-to-reach areas may require traditional liposuction. Patients with a lot of scar tissue, which can block access to fat deposits, may also require surgical liposuction.

Significant loose, sagging skin often requires surgical treatment to correct, which can be done in conjunction with liposuction. For example, patients with fat in the stomach may have liposuction done at the same time as a tummy tuck. .

Non-Invasive Liposuction: The Bottom Line

While non-invasive liposuction comes with certain limitations, for many patients it can be a great means to remove unwanted fat without the need for surgery. There are minimal risks associated with the above procedures and they entail little to no recovery period. Non-invasive liposuction can be a simple, pain-free way to reach your aesthetic goals.

Ready to get started? At BLUSH Beverly Hills, we have extensive experience with a variety of non-invasive liposuction procedures. Reach out here to book a consultation today.