Slimming down is one of the most popular resolutions for the new year because it can improve a person’s health and offers countless other benefits.
Unfortunately, losing weight – among other health-related resolutions – are also among the most common failures people have. This could be due to a lack of motivation, commitment, and willpower.
Even so, it remains an admirable goal for the upcoming year. However, you may need to consider getting help from fitness gurus, wellness experts, and cosmetic clinics to succeed in your next attempt.
Here, you’ll learn the five slimming procedures that made the headlines in 2022 that can potentially help you achieve your goals:
- Radiofrequency
Radiofrequency is one of the most crucial and commonly used treatments in cosmetic dermatology for reducing subcutaneous fat.
This non-invasive procedure involves exposing the fat cells to heat (43 to 45 degrees Celsius) for several minutes. The goal is to trigger the natural fat-elimination process in the body, which results in skin tightening and diminished cellulite appearance in the thighs and abdomen.
Is it Good for Everyone?
Radiofrequency offers favorable results. In fact, experts even recommend the procedure to people with sensitive skin.
Unlike other weight loss methods, radiofrequency doesn’t result in abdominal discomfort or burning. Its most common side effects include skin redness and swelling, which don’t last more than 24 hours after the procedure.
- Cryolipolysis
Cryolipolysis is a popular slimming method approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2010.
Like radiofrequency, it also induces weight loss by exposing fat cells to a specific temperature range. But this time, the goal is to freeze fat cells into oblivion.
Weight loss equipment like CoolTech employ a near-freezing point temperature (roughly 4 degrees Celsius) to kill and break down fat cells. Weeks or months after the procedure, the liver flushes the dead cells out of the body.
This slimming method is best used to reduce fat in the abdomen, thighs, flank, and submental areas. More recently, it has also been approved for contouring the back, arms, and buttocks.
A cryolipolysis device applies suction to the target area. Then, it vacuums the tissue between a pair of cooling panels for about 30 to 60 minutes.
The procedure is quite appealing because:
- It is non-invasive
- It doesn’t draw any blood
- It doesn’t use needles or surgical instruments
- It doesn’t require the help of an anesthesiologist
Depending on the machine used, it can visibly reduce the amount of fatty tissue in the target area in just 15 days from the first procedure.
Is it Good for Everyone?
Studies investigating the safety of cryolipolysis revealed a high degree of satisfaction among patients. Some were able to return to their daily routine immediately after the procedure.
Moreover, cryolipolysis is safe for all skin types and causes no pigmentary changes.
However, this treatment is not recommended for people with cold-induced conditions like cold urticaria (hives) and cryoglobulinemia. The same goes for individuals with atopic dermatitis or severe varicose veins.
For best results, only patients who require minimal fat reduction and cellulite removal should undergo cryolipolysis.
- Low-level Laser Therapy (LLLT)
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is another popular slimming method that uses low temperatures to break down fat cells. But instead of exposing adipose tissue in a vacuum of cold air like cryolipolysis, it uses cool-laser technology to reduce fat cells and allow the body to expel them naturally.
During the treatment, low-light lasers hit the fat cells to create temporary openings and trigger the release of lipids (a.k.a. fatty acids). This effectively decreases fat deposits in several areas of the body, particularly the arms, abdomen, buttocks, and thighs.
Is it Good for Everyone?
Also called “red light therapy,” LLLT doesn’t cause discomfort or any notable adverse effects.
The only catch is that this procedure may not work for everyone.
Most studies verifying the fat reduction efficacy of LLLT are limited to a specific racial population and people with a BMI range of 25 to 30.
- Laser Lipolysis
Like cryolipolysis and LLLT, laser lipolysis uses controlled temperature to kill off fat cells. But instead of cold temperature, it uses heat produced by light-based technology to cause cell rupture to get rid of fat deposits in the abdomen, back, flanks, inner thighs, and outer thighs.
This non-surgical “lipo” applies heat through the paddle-like applicators attached to the target area. Upon reaching the fat cells underneath the skin, the heat ruptures the cell membranes and lets the body flush the dead cells naturally.
Is it Good for Everyone?
Most people can return to their normal daily activities on the same day as the procedure. Recovery from laser lipolysis is very easy, with minimal redness or soreness at the treatment site.
However, some people may require a few more sessions to get the best results.
- Muscle Stimulation Treatments
Aside from equipment employing extreme temperatures, other slimming machines use electromagnetic energy to trigger muscle stimulation. This contracts and relaxes the muscles as appropriate, mimicking the effect of exercise.
Although moderately uncomfortable, muscle stimulation treatments offer fast results. For example, a 20-minute session in a body sculpting clinic can leave you feeling like you’ve done tens of thousands of sit-ups.
Aside from slimming, muscle stimulation treatments can also be used to strengthen core muscles and tone frequently targeted areas, like the abs and buttocks.
Is It Good for Everyone?
Most muscle stimulation treatments have few or no side effects, though some patients may experience skin irritation in the area the electrodes were attached to.
Meanwhile, the contraction can also cause muscle spasms, dizziness, nausea, and headaches.
On the other hand, experts don’t recommend the use of these machines for the following:
- People with heart problems
- People with pacemakers
- Pregnant women
- People with epilepsy
Achieve Your Slimming Goal
Slimming down is not an impossible resolution for the upcoming year. With the help of technology and advancements in the aesthetics sector, you can try many effective methods to achieve your goal.
