Best Non Surgical Fat Reduction Treatments

7 Best Non Surgical Fat Reduction Treatments

We’ve selected the most popular methods of non-surgical fat reduction for you to compare. We will look at the brand names they’re sold under and what to expect from your treatment and recovery. We’ll go over any potential side effects as well as how much discomfort the procedure produces. 

Finally, we’ll talk about costs and who makes a great candidate for each procedure. Our goal is to help you to make an educated and informed decision about which non-surgical fat reduction treatment is right for you. 

1. Cryolipolysis

Cryolipolysis can be a real mouthful, so you might find it easier to refer to it by its colloquial name, CoolSculpting. This belly fat removal procedure uses the power of freezing temperatures to freeze fat, thereby destroying it. Over the following 4 to 6 months, these dead and dying fat cells are eliminated by the body naturally. Cryolipolysis patients can expect to see a 20% reduction in the size of the area where the fat cells were frozen. 

Cryolipolysis side effects can include slight swelling from the freezing which is temporary as well as some potential redness and a tingling sensation. Pain during the CoolSculpting procedure is minimal to mild. Some patients report that the cold temperatures cause some mild pain and the CoolSculpting procedure can feel like a slight pinching. CoolSculpting freezing treatment sessions span from 30 minutes to 40 min per session.  .

CoolSculpting patients who are within 30 pounds of their ideal weight are perfect candidates, especially if they have stubborn pockets of fat that will not go away despite diet and exercise. 

CoolSculpting or Cryolipolysis treatment sessions can range from around $800 to $6000 depending on the number of treatment areas.  

2. Laser Lipolysis

Laser Lipolysis is often sold as SculpSure, SmartLipo, or CoolLipo. This laser fat removal procedure uses a handheld device to apply heat to fat cells using laser technology. The heat causes fat cells to burst which ultimately destroys them. Results begin to become apparent at around 6 weeks after the procedure while the full effect is noticeable after 3 months. 

Minimally-invasive laser lipo patients can expect a single session to take around 25 minutes and patients may feel mild numbness, tingles, and experience  bruising, and swelling, all of which is temporary. Pain is minimal to moderate but some soreness and tenderness are common.

This procedure is more about definition and tightening than it is about weight loss, so the perfect candidate is someone who is near their ideal weight but who would like a more toned look. This is considered a minorly invasive surgery with potential scarring as a side effect.  

You can expect to pay $1,200 to $5,500 per target area.

3. Injection Lipolysis

Injection lipolysis is sold as Kybella and Lipo Lab as well as many other brand names. During this non-invasive lipo procedure, patients are injected with a chemical called deoxycholic acid which kills fat cells. Results can be seen around 6 to 8 weeks after the procedure. 

During each half-hour session, patients will likely experience some swelling and burning sensation, which can make the treated area look bigger than it did prior to the treatment, but the swelling is only temporary. You may experience redness, some hard areas under the skin, and mild bruising and pain. All of these side effects are temporary and typically last a few days up to 2-3 weeks after each session.  Multiple sessions is often recommended for desired outcomes.  

This form of lipolysis is designed to tackle stubborn fat under the chin, making the perfect candidate someone who wants to eliminate the “double-chin” effect. 

You can expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $1,500 for injection lipolysis  per treatment.  On average for the submental chin area- 2 sessions are recommended about 6 weeks apart.  The cost depends on the amount of volume injected into each area per session. 

4. Radiofrequency Lipolysis

Radiofrequency lipolysis is often called Exilis, truSculpt, Vanquish or Velashape. Using radiofrequency energy, heat is produced just under the skin to target fat cells, reducing the appearance of cellulite and wrinkles. Vanquish results can vary from patient to patient, but those who had radiofrequency lipolysis stomach fat removal treatments saw up to two inches reduced from their waistline. 

Mild bruising and irritation may be experienced at the site of the Vanquish treatment but both are short-lived. There is no downtime with this treatment. Patients can go right back to their everyday life. The treatment will last about 30 minutes but you will need to come back once per week for a few weeks, depending on what your practitioner recommends. You are unlikely to experience any pain during this procedure. 

The perfect candidate for radiofrequency lipolysis is nearing or close to their ideal weight but who has been struggling to get rid of some stubborn patches of fat. 

The cost for this treatment is between $2,000 to $8,000.

5. Ultrasound (Ultrasonic) Fat Removal

Ultrasound or ultrasonic fat removal is sold under the brand names Liposonix and Ultrashape. Using ultrasound energy, fatty tissue is targeted and killed. Your body will slowly work to expel the dead fat cells over time.  

You may experience bruising, itchiness, and swelling after your Ultrashape procedure, which can take up to an hour. Some patients report some level of pain during the treatment. 

Like many other noninvasive fat reduction procedures, ultrasonic fat removal is for people who have stubborn pockets of fat they would like to get rid of. You can expect to pay between $800 and $4,000 for ultrasound fat removal. 

6. High Intensity Focused Electromagnetic

High-intensity focused electromagnetic treatments are more commonly known by the brand name, EmSculpt and EmSculptNEO. EmSculpt is a noninvasive procedure that builds muscle and reduces fat using high-intensity focused electromagnetic energy (HIFEM). This energy causes your muscles to contract faster and more intensely than you could do with exercise. You can expect around a 16% increase in muscle mass with a 19% reduction in fat.  With EmsculptNEO- the newest technology-  combines radiofrequency heat with HIFEM energy- seeing  a 30% fat degradation in areas as well as up to a 25% increased muscle mass in areas that lower levels of heat is added. 

Four to six 30 minute sessions are recommended for the best results but may depend on what your practitioner recommends. Patients do not report pain, but the treatment can feel odd as your muscles begin to contract. You may feel muscle soreness afterward as a result, but it shouldn’t last any longer than sore muscles you’ve had from working out. 

The best candidates for this treatment are people who are very close to their ideal weight but who want to tone and refine the shape of their bodies.

EmSculpt and EmSculptNEO treatments can cost from $1,400 to $4,500. 

Refine Aesthetics offers painless EmSculptNEO treatments in our downtown Austin location. Reach out to our knowledgeable staff to find out if EmSculptNEO is right for you.