Why Try Fat Reduction Treatments?

Everyone deserves to love their body; that’s the focus behind most fat reduction treatments. When an individual gains weight, each fat cell increases in size and volume. Fat reduction treatments are meant to reduce the number of fat cells in isolated areas, thus decreasing their size and helping contour your body.

Fat reduction treatments are generally for aesthetic purposes only and are not meant to treat obesity, or as a weight loss tool. However, it is realistic to expect fitting into that pair of “skinny” jeans or even going down a dress size. Where some can achieve great results by adopting a healthful lifestyle, with a balanced diet, regular exercise, and a healthy sleep schedule, for some, this just isn’t enough. Results range from subtle to dramatic, and for some can be life changing. 

Fat reduction can be done almost anywhere on your body, from your chin, to your legs and everywhere in between. Many clinics offer these treatments, from some LA med spas to plastic surgeons, and the treatments differ depending on your preference and desired outcome. 

Some popular fat reduction treatments are listed below. 

Liposuction for Fat Reduction

Liposuction is one of the most common invasive fat reduction treatments. It is a minor surgery that uses suction to remove fat from the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, arms or neck. Liposuction is generally for cosmetic purposes only and will not treat cellulite, which is a common myth. It can, however, help with the following: 

Radio Frequency Fat Reduction Treatments

Radio frequency treatments for fat reduction, also called radio frequency lipolysis, are rising in popularity. They are nonsurgical and both invasive and noninvasive, depending on the treatment. Noninvasive treatments are painless and have no recovery time, while other minimally invasive treatments involve needles, to get deeper into your skin.

Radio frequency treatments are used to heat fat resulting in lipolysis, and stimulate collagen production which helps with tightening and texture. They are a great option for those looking to contour their body without any pain, downtime, or going under general anesthesia (as you may with Liposuction). 

Non-surgical fat reduction options use a variety of modalities, including ultrasound, radio frequency, infrared light, vacuum massage and injectable medication. One popular non-invasive radio frequency treatment is used to noticeably tighten your skin.

Radio frequency lipolysis targets and reduces persistent fat bulges with minimal risks or side effects. You may experience temporary side effects such as:

  • Mild Redness

  • Tingling

  • Warmth

  • Tissue Tenderness

  • Bruising

  • Rarely: superficial burns/scratch marks in the epidermis 

It can be done nearly anywhere in your body, though is most common in your stomach, arms, legs, and buttocks. 

Kybella® for Double Chins

Excess fat is not always in places that are not easy to exercise or access through surgical means. One of these places is under your chin. A 2015 consumer survey done by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery found that 67 percent of individuals are bothered by excess fat under the chin or neck, otherwise known as a double chin. 

A double chin is a common condition that occurs when a layer of fat forms below your chin. A double chin is often associated with weight gain, but you don’t have to be overweight to have one. Genetics or looser skin resulting from aging may also cause a double chin. 

Kybella® is currently the only FDA-approved injectable to treat the appearance of a double chin. Kybella® uses deoxycholic acid to permanently dissolve fat. It can also help tighten the skin around your chin and jaw. On average, patients need to have 3, 15-20 minute long treatments. Treatments are done at a minimum of 4 weeks apart.

This type of fat reduction treatment can only be administered by a Kybella®-trained healthcare specialist. After treatment, you may experience significant swelling for 3 days and residual (yet much less noticeable) swelling for up to a few weeks, bruising, or numbness under your chin for a couple of days.

It works too: in a clinical trial, 82.4 percent of people reported significantly improved satisfaction with their appearance.

The results can be permanent.

Why Would You Pursue Fat Reduction Treatments?

Not everyone will need or want fat reduction treatments and that is okay. Those who do have a variety of options they can choose from and have the power to target specific areas in the body. The goal of every treatment and every physician who administers the treatment should be the same: you should leave the clinic or med spa feeling confident in the way you look. 

If you want to get started or want more information on radio frequency or Kybella, contact Meridiem Aesthetics. Their services are meant to enhance the natural beauty inside everyone through nonsurgical body contouring, injectables, and more. They offer gentle treatments administered by medical professionals to ensure you are happy with the results. They service multiple locations in California, including San Diego, Palm Desert, Temecula, and San Francisco. 

Jamie Sampson, RN