Areas of stubborn fat can be hard to get rid of. Some areas like love handles, abdominal bulges, and muffin tops just won’t budge, regardless of how hard you diet and exercise. Fortunately, a new class of body contouring treatments makes it possible for patients to easily get rid of fatty spots without undergoing surgery or other invasive procedures. TruSculpt uses radiofrequency to kill off fat cells, giving patients results within a matter of weeks. TruSculpt is one of the many cosmetic treatments offered at Radiant Skin Dermatology and Laser in New York, NY.
For patients with problem fatty areas resistant to diet and exercise, there used to be few options other than liposuction, tummy tucks, or other surgical procedures. But a number of new treatments are now available that can break down fat cells, allowing patients to resolve their problem spots without the hassle of surgery, bandages, and anesthesia. These non-invasive treatments heat, freeze, or manipulate fat cells in ways that destroy them.
Body contouring treatments, which are also referred to as body sculpting treatments, are ideal for healthy patients who need a little help in meeting their cosmetic goals. They’re popular because they involve no downtime and can easily fit into a busy schedule. With anywhere from one to just a few quick treatments, we can effectively give patients the results they want.
TruSculpt relies on monopolar radiofrequency, which is delivered through eight applicators that rest against the skin during treatment. The radiofrequency heats fat cells in the targeted area, destroying them. The body naturally gets rid of those dead fat cells during the weeks following your appointment. During clinical studies, TruSculpt has been shown to reduce fat in the targeted area by 24%. In addition to eradicating pockets of stubborn fat, this treatment also tightens skin in the area that’s being addressed, so you don’t have to worry about sagging. Treatment usually involves a single 15-minute session.
Most patients notice an improvement during the first month after treatment. It often takes two to three months for your results to fully develop. Although one treatment is all many patients need, some individuals may opt to seek additional sculpting by scheduling another session. We can develop a customized treatment plan for you based on the problem areas you want addressed and the scope of your treatment areas.
This treatment is especially beneficial for the abdomen, thighs, and butt, but it can also be used to address troublesome spots all over the body. Patients have used this treatment to fight fat in the upper arms and around the knees and ankles.
This treatment does not require the use of anesthesia or topical numbing creams. The skin in your treatment area will experience warmth during your session, and it may even be a little pink immediately afterward. But patients don’t find it to be an uncomfortable experience. In fact, many equate the experience to a hot stone massage.
One of the many advantages of this treatment is that it requires no advance preparation and there is no downtime or recovery period involved. After your appointment, the skin in the treatment area may appear flushed, but this will go away within an hour. You’ll be free to get right back to your regular schedule afterward. Many patients even schedule these treatments during their lunch hour. You won’t even have to curtail your exercise regimen after treatment.
This radiofrequency treatment is safe to use with tattoos. It won’t distort or change your tattoo in any way.
This treatment is not designed to specifically target cellulite. However, by removing excess fat and tightening the skin, it can help minimize the appearance of your cellulite. Cellulite occurs when fat bunches beneath the skin, putting pressure on the fibrous connective cords that latch the skin to underlying muscle. As tension builds on those cords, they pull the skin down in spots, creating a dimpling effect. Alleviating some of that tension by getting rid of extra fat can ease the look of cellulite.
This treatment stimulates the production of collagen in the skin, which subtly plumps up the skin’s surface, making it tighter, wrinkle-free, and more youthful in appearance.
This treatment permanently removes fat cells by essentially melting them away. Those fat cells will never grow back. However, the fat cells in our bodies are always growing and shrinking based on our lifestyle, and there’s nothing to prevent the fat cells that remain after treatment from growing. The best way to maintain your results is to stick to a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and keep your weight consistent.
This treatment isn’t really intended to be a weight-loss tool, although it’s possible you will lose a bit as the fat cells fade from your body. The primary goal of this treatment is to add shape and definition to your body. If your primary goal is to shed pounds, you’re better off focusing on regular exercise and a healthy diet. For some patients, bariatric surgery may also be an option.
This treatment was approved by the FDA in 2018 and has been successfully used on patients all over the country. The technology that is used during this treatment regulates the heat that is delivered and prevents the skin from getting too hot. This is a safe and low-risk treatment.
This treatment offers a number of advantages, including convenience, customization, and the ability to comprehensively treat a single area.
This treatment can work for patients will all body types and skin tones.
Many of the body contouring treatments that are available are geared toward patients who are only slightly over their body weight with a BMI that’s not more than 30. Those treatments are best for patients who are in pretty good shape but have a problem spot or two that they need help addressing. TruSculpt works well for those patients as well, but it also works for patients with a BMI over 30. This treatment is one of the few body contouring options available for heavier patients.
This treatment can be completed in as little as 15 minutes, making it one of the more time-efficient options. Most other body contouring treatments take 30 minutes or more. This treatment can also be effective with just one session, while many other body contouring options require multiple sessions. The convenience of this treatment, which can easily be worked into a busy schedule, is a significant advantage.
Every patient has different needs. Their problem spots are in different parts of the body, and their fat deposits vary in scope. The great thing about this treatment is that it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. We can develop a treatment plan that’s just for you. This may involve a slightly longer session or coming back for a second treatment in several months. Whatever it involves, TruSculpt treatments can be designed to specifically meet each patient’s individual needs.
Getting rid of extra fat is great, but sometimes it resolves only part of the cosmetic concern. The skin tightening benefit that this treatment offers means that once that pooch or bulge is gone, you’re not left with sagging, stretched out skin in its place. Instead, the skin in your treatment area will be smooth, taut, and contoured.
Because eight applicators are used at once during this treatment, a large section of the body can be addressed at once.
When combined with a healthy diet and exercise habits, this treatment can improve your overall health. Many patients find that they’re able to be more active and exercise more frequently once their problem spots have been resolved.
The best candidates for this treatment are those who have tried diet and exercise but have localized fatty areas on the body that resist those efforts. These are patients who need a little help pushing past a plateau and getting rid of stubborn spots. This treatment is also a great option for patients who are concerned about loose, sagging skin, particularly after the fat has been removed. In general, you’re probably a good candidate if:
Ideal candidates are in good overall health. This treatment may not be suitable for you if you are pregnant or if you have a severe medical condition, like cancer or heart disease.
The best patients are able to preserve their results by sticking to a healthy lifestyle. This means committing to regular moderate exercise, eating a healthful diet, and maintaining a consistently healthy weight.
Body contouring treatments are effective and can help address targeted problem areas, but the results are subtler than liposuction or surgery. The best patients are realistic about what this type of treatment can achieve and are emotionally stable enough to handle the changes the body will undergo.
Because the technology behind body contouring treatments has improved in recent years, patients now have several effective options to choose from. Here’s how this treatment compares with SculpSure, CoolSculpting, and EmSculpt: three other body contouring options our practice offers.
SculpSure, like TruSculpt, relies on heat to essentially liquefy fat cells that then drain from the body over a period of weeks. The full results are evident in two or three months. One of the primary differences between the two treatments is that with SculpSure, the heat comes from laser energy, not radiofrequency. SculpSure also requires a little more time. Patients often need two or three 25-minute SculpSure sessions to get optimal results with SculpSure.
CoolSculpting takes the opposite approach when it comes to temperature. CoolSculpting relies on cryolipolysis, which involves placing the fat between two panels that kill the fat cells by chilling them to a freezing temperature. As with the other body contouring treatments, the destroyed fat cells then drain naturally from the body over a period of weeks after CoolSculpting treatment. CoolSculpting sessions also tend to take longer. They can last anywhere from one to several hours, depending on the areas you want to be addressed and how large they are.
EmSculpt is slightly different in that it’s more for muscle toning than fat removal. But like other body contouring options, EmSculpt is a convenient non-invasive treatment that can yield noticeable results for busy patients. During an EmSculpt treatment, a rubber pad placed on the targeted area produces electromagnetic waves that cause involuntary muscle contractions. The process releases fatty acids that build muscle tone and strength, which is just like what happens when you work out. So essentially, the treatment simulates a series of tough workouts. Most patients require four 30-minute sessions.
With so many body contouring options now available, it can be difficult to decide which is the best for you. Fortunately, this is not a decision you have to make alone. If you’re interested in body contouring or simply have cosmetic concerns that you’d like to address, the best thing to do is schedule a consultation with our office.
During this appointment, we can review your health history and take into account your weight, any medications you are taking, and any underlying medical issues you have. We’ll also talk with you about your aesthetic goals and develop a treatment plan that addresses them.
Depending on your cosmetic goals and needs, we may recommend a combination of treatments for you to consider. Many patients exploring body contouring treatments, for example, also consider having a chemical peel, dermal fillers, or a spider vein removal treatment.
Your treatment will be overseen by Dr. Adebola Dele-Michael. Dr. Dele-Michael is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in General Dermatology, Dermatologic Surgery, and Cosmetic Dermatology. She is also an Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and a diplomate of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. She earned an undergraduate degree in biochemistry from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and her medical degree from the University of Rochester School of Medicine in Rochester, NY.
Are a few areas holding you back from achieving your perfect physique? Would a little tune-up help you feel more confident about yourself and your body? We can help. We can design a treatment plan for you that draws on innovative FDA-approved medical solutions and gives you the radiant, healthy, youthful-looking appearance you’ve been working toward. Call Radiant Skin Dermatology and Laser in New York, NY, and schedule a TruSculpt consultation today.
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