From LASIK eye surgery to common skin therapies, modern medicine has come a long way when it comes to outpatient procedures. The same is true for fat removal. What used to be a relatively major surgical procedure (most frequently liposuction), can now be accomplished through a number of non-invasive, outpatient procedures. This wealth of options can actually be confusing for prospective clients and even for clinicians. Which options are best for which individuals?
With this question in mind, here are some of the most popular and effective non-invasive fat removal solutions available today.
CoolSculpting Uses Freezing Technology to Flush out Fat Cells
One of the best known fat removal products on the market is CoolSculpting. This is an FDA approved treatment for fat removal in most areas, including under the chin and jawline, abdominal area, thighs, chest, back, arms, and buttocks. Patients should not undergo CoolSculpting if they suffer from paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria, cold agglutinin disease, or cryoglobulinemia.
CoolSculpting is a permanent solution which effectively kills fat cells. In the past 10 years since gaining FDA approval, the popularity of this non-invasive fat killing procedure has skyrocketed. The official name of the procedure is known as cryolipolysis. CoolSculpting is generally viewed as being a safe and effective method of fat removal.
Vanquish Uses RadioFrequency to Kill Fat Cells
Unlike CoolSculpting, Vanquish essentially burns away fat cells in the body. A controlled radiofrequency signal heats the cells to approximately 45 degrees Celsius, which kills the fat cells in the process. The body’s natural healing process will then flush away the dead fat cells over time. Vanquish is also particularly effective at killing fat cells over large areas in the body, where some non-invasive procedures are more limited in scope per session.
Individuals with metal IUDs, hip replacements, or other metal objects in their bodies are not eligible for Vanquish treatments.
SculpSure Uses Light to Kill Unwanted Fat Cells
Like the other entries on our list, SculpSure permanently kills fat cells. This non-invasive technology harnesses the power of light to eliminate body fat. 25 minute treatment sessions work by heating the fat cells until they rupture and die. The end result is very similar to other procedures like Vanquish, but using light rather than radio frequencies. One of the selling points of SculpSure is that it destroys fat cells evenly in a way which is more natural than some other non-invasive fat removal procedures.
SculpSure is FDA approved to reduce fat under the chin. Patients are treated with a cooling effect so that they remain comfortable during the light treatments. Lasers cycle throughout the treatment, slowly raising the internal temperature of the targeted fat cells. Once the treatment is completed, the body is able to purge itself of the dead fat cells permanently.
Kybella is a Chemical Treatment for Fat Removal
Kybella is the only non-invasive fat removal procedure on our list not to utilize temperature change to get results. Instead, Kybella relies on a synthetic version of deoxycholic acid to eliminate unwanted fat cells while simultaneously tightening the surrounding skin. Unlike the other treatments, Kybella is an injectable. This allows for a more direct treatment, but carries the drawbacks of limited usage.
Kybella treatments are FDA approved to “destroy subcutaneous fat cells accumulating under the chin creating the appearance of a double chin.” While not FDA approved, this injectable fat removal solution can also be used for contouring elsewhere on the body. This non-invasive solution is ideal for spot fat reduction, and less ideal for large areas of evenly distributed fat loss needs.
Non-Invasive Fat Removal vs. Liposuction
So are these modern, non-invasive procedures as effective as traditional liposuction? That really depends on what matters most to the patient. Here are a few pros and cons for each:
- Liposuction is ultimately the most effective fat removal solution. There is a reason liposuction procedures are still recommended: they are best at what they do. Full results can be enjoyed in six (6) months and it is possible to remove larger amounts of unwanted fat.
- Non-invasive procedures require less recovery. Liposuction is a surgical procedure. CoolSculpting, Kybella, and other non-invasive options are not. This creates a huge difference in expected discomfort and recovery time.
- Non-invasive procedures are cheaper. For many of the reasons we listed above, liposuction remains the most expensive option by a long way.
Music City SCALE Convention 2020 Panels on Fat Removal and More!
SCALE 2020 will be taking place July 22-25 at the world famous Music City Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee. We are proud to offer an extensive lineup of industry professionals covering the areas of cosmetology, dermatology, plastic surgery, and everything in between! Cutting edge fat loss technology will be discussed in many of our panels, discussion groups, and industry presentations. Above all else, we view SCALE as an opportunity for the community to come together and talk about what we all love doing.
What started as a small gathering amongst colleagues 14 years ago has turned into the biggest party of the year within the field of aesthetic dermatology. Join us alongside hundreds of attendees and industry vendors to find out what you’ve been missing!