Non-Invasive Body Contouring: Procedure and Tips

There aren’t many of us who haven’t struggled to carve out the body we want, pouring sweat in the gym and restricting our calories. It’s a frustrating cycle that never seems to end, and often, it doesn’t deliver the results we want. 

Today, however, the disappointment doesn’t have to last long. In a world of constant technological advancements, it’s no surprise that we can supplement our time in the gym and our healthy diet with non-invasive body contouring. 

In this article, we’re going to learn what body contouring is and how it works. We’ll look at the benefits, expected results, and side effects. We’ll go over a list of different body contouring options and where to get it done so that you can finally achieve the shape you’ve been working so hard for. 

What is Body Contouring?

Simply put, body contouring is a procedure that aims to reshape a part of your body. Minimally-invasive body contouring refers to non-surgical body contouring options that are safe, require little to no downtime, and have no need for general anesthesia. In recent times, new technologies have advanced the body contouring industry so that you have safer, easier, and more effective non-invasive body sculpting options. 

How Does Body Contouring Work?

Body contouring and minimally invasive body sculpting are procedures that use a wide range of technologies to reshape stubborn areas of your body. Let’s take a closer look at what some of the most common body contouring technologies are being used today. 

• Cold treatments – This form of body contouring, sometimes referred to as cryolipolysis or CoolSculpting, makes use of extremely cold temperatures to break down the cells in stubborn pockets of fat. This cryolipolysis procedure is administered with a device that is placed on the area of concern, where it delivers very cold temperatures, freezing and killing stubborn fat cells.   
• Heat treatments – Heat treatments for body sculpting work in a similar way to cool treatments. They use extreme temperatures to destroy fat cells. Heat can be delivered by laser, ultrasound, or radiofrequency technology. 
• Ultrasound – Ultrasound body contouring delivers heat to stubborn pockets of fat, destroying the cells. Ultrasound technology is also used in radiofrequency treatments. .
• Radiofrequency – Radiofrequency makes use of ultrasound technology to create heat that will break down fat cells and force your body to dispel them as waste. This results in a more toned appearance in problem areas.
• Laser treatments – laser body contouring uses laser light to create heat and destroy fat cells. Your body will then get rid of these dead cells as waste.
• Red light therapy – Red light therapy is an innovative new therapy that uses light to force cells to release part of their contents. Problem areas can be toned non-invasively with this technology.
• Injections – Injection lipolysis is a noninvasive treatment during which deoxycholic acid is injected into the body with the purpose of targeting fat tissues. The number of fat cells overall is reduced through this process. 

Benefits of Non-Surgical Body Contouring

As the name may imply, non-surgical body sculpting comes with a lot of solid benefits that cannot be overlooked. From the ease and safety of the body contouring procedures to the quick recovery time and promise of transformative results, these benefits make non-surgical body contouring one of the easiest choices for people looking to shape and define areas of their bodies. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most significant benefits.

1. No Need for General Anesthesia

No one really wants to go under the knife, and non-invasive body sculpting means you don’t have to. The procedures encompassed in this term are all done without having to make any incisions or cause enough pain to require general anesthesia. This means the procedure employs more safety than surgical options like liposuction. It’s also a much quicker procedure and significantly less painful. They can also produce similar results.

2. Little to No Recovery Time

Because non-invasive body contouring doesn’t require surgery or a general anesthetic, the recovery time is easy. In most cases, you will be able to get back to normal life almost right away. Compared to weeks and sometimes months of recovery when you undergo surgical options, non-surgical body contouring is a cinch.

3. Long-Lasting Results

Non-invasive body contouring methods all have a stellar track record of producing long-lasting, significant results that please the patient. For both surgical and non-surgical methods of body contouring, the results can last upwards of a decade with permanent destruction of the adipocytes (fat cells). . 

4. Convenient Treatments

Non-invasive body contouring is done in your doctor’s office and can often see patients in and out in an hour or so. Compared to the all-day ordeal for surgical options, the convenience of non-invasive body sculpting is a huge draw to these types of procedures.

What Are the Risks and Side Effects?

The side effects of non-surgical body sculpting are extremely minimal and rare. You may experience some redness, a little bit of tenderness, and potentially minimal swelling. Whether or not you experience these mild side effects depends on the type of treatment you’ve opted for as well as your overall health and whether or not you have any pre-existing conditions. Discussing your options with an experienced professional will help to pinpoint what side effects you may experience if any. 

How Effective is Non-Invasive Body Contouring?

Non-surgical body sculpting cannot, as yet, provide the same results as a surgical procedure would. By sheer volume, surgical body contouring treatments such as liposuction will be able to target more than non-invasive body sculpting. However, the results of non-invasive body contouring are undeniable and will last as long as you maintain your approximate weight at the time of the procedure. Your results will vary, though, depending on which procedure you decide to undergo.

Best Body Contouring Treatments

There is no denying that body contouring technology has grown significantly over the past couple of decades. During that time, some of the most effective treatments have emerged as tried and true winners in this industry. Each of these popular treatments makes use of one of the technologies we discussed above and they leave patients pleased with their results. Let’s take a look at the best non-invasive body contouring treatments.

1. CoolSculpting

CoolSculpting uses cryolipolysis or freezing to zero in on and permanently destroy fat tissues. The procedure can take between half an hour and an hour in your doctor’s office and produces no discomfort other than the feeling of freezing temperatures. CoolSculpting can eliminate 20% of fat in problem areas and provides long-lasting results for those who maintain the general weight they were during the procedure.

Side effects of cryolipolysis may include minor aches, tenderness, bruising, and itchiness, although many patients report no discomfort afterward. 

The cost of a cryolipolysis procedure will vary depending on the area you’re targeting, but often ranges from $2,000 to $4,000 per treatment. 

2. Kybella

Kybella is a form of injection lipolysis that specifically targets the chin area but can be used in other areas of the body off-label. Other common areas treated are small pockets of bra fat, belly button fat or even post liposuction areas that are still uneven. Your treatment should only take around half an hour and aside from short-lived tenderness and swelling, there is really no recovery. 

Side effects for Kybella are incredibly rare but can include bruising, open sores, hair loss, nerve and tissue damage, and temporary lopsidedness.  The overwhelming majority of patients, however, report no side effects at all. 

At Refine Aesthetics Med Spa in Austin, we are proud to offer Kybella to our patients who want a more defined chin or targeted fat reduction on the body. The cost of Kybella treatments at Refine Aesthetics ranges from $650 – $2,340.

3. BBL 

BBL stands for Broadband Light Therapy and is sometimes referred to as Intense Pulsed Light therapy (IPL). This procedure uses light technology to tone and smooth problem areas of your body.

BBL laser treatments commonly take around thirty minutes and the area may feel like it has been mildly sunburned afterward. Recovery is swift, though, if you avoid makeup and follow your doctor’s advice until it subsides.  

Refine Aesthetics offers BBL treatments in-office that cost between $250.00 and $2,430.00.

4. EMSculpt NEO

EmsculptNeo makes use of radiofrequency technology to target and destroy fat cells with heat while also stimulating muscle at the same time to render a slimmer and more toned area. EmsculptNeo treatments are delivered to patients through a series of sessions that last about half an hour. Your muscles may be slightly sore afterward, but outside of that, side effects do not exist for this treatment. You will be back to your normal life in no time at all. 

Results are long-lasting and treatment can cost between $700 and $1,000 per session. Book your consultation with Refine Aesthetics to discuss which treatment is best for you, EmSculpt vs. CoolSculpting and other treatments.

5. SculpSure

SculpSure is a body contouring treatment that uses laser light to heat up fat cells and destroy them. This treatment is great for the tummy area. The procedure lasts just under half an hour and you may find you need more than one session. 

No major side effects have been reported for SculpSure but you may experience some stiffness and tenderness in the treatment area.  Downtime is negligible and the average cost for this treatment is just over $2,000.

6. UltraShape

UltraShape uses ultrasound technology to destroy fat cells and contour problem areas of the body. Sessions for UltraShape last 1 to 2 hours. 

UltraShape side effects are minimal and include mild bruising after the procedure. The fat cells are destroyed permanently, which means your results will be long-lasting providing you maintain your weight.

The cost of UltraShape treatments cost an average of $2,450. 

7. TruSculpt

TruSculpt used radiofrequency technology to eliminate fat cells in problem areas of the body, leaving a more toned and refined look. TruSculpt sessions last about fifteen minutes, but multiple sessions may be required to achieve the results you’re looking for. 

The side effects of TruSculpt include slight redness, sweating, and the potential for tenderness in the treatment area. Recovery time is rapid, and fat cells are permanently destroyed. 

The average cost of a TruSculpt treatment ranges from $2,000 to $3,200. 

8. UltraSlim

Ultraslim uses red light therapy to force small openings in fat cells, thereby releasing some of their contents. Sessions for this treatment take around 30 minutes and produce minimal discomfort. 

No side effects have been reported for this treatment and can treat most areas of the body, making it a very popular choice. Fat cells are permanently altered and results last as long as you maintain your weight. 

The average cost of UltraSlim is $3,275.

Non-Invasive Body Contouring vs. Liposuction

Non-invasive body contouring differs from invasive treatments like liposuction in many important ways that can impact your safe recovery. First, liposuction requires general anesthesia which comes with its own risks and potential complications. Liposuction procedures also demand a lengthy recovery time and produce a great deal of discomfort. You may need up to six weeks to get back to life as normal. With liposuction, you also run the risk of infection, fluid accumulation, fat embolism, and other dangerous side effects including death in 1 out of every 5,000 surgeries. Non-invasive body contouring comes with little to no side effects, very minimal downtime, negligible risk, and barely perceivable discomfort if any at all. While liposuction can produce more significant results, there does seem to be more risk than reward.

Is Body Contouring Right For You? Book a Consultation With Refine Aesthetics

We’ve learned that non-invasive body contouring is safer, less time-consuming, and less disruptive to our lives than surgical options and can deliver results that impress. Choosing the right treatment for you can be a challenge, but speaking with an experienced practitioner will guide you in the right direction. Book your consultation today with Refine Aesthetics Austin body contouring to find out which non-surgical body sculpting option is the one for you.