Want to
get rid of the pooch under your belly button or an inch of fat on your inner
thighs? What about back fat, love handles or even cankles? The technology is
here for you to just take it all away.
BURN THAT
FAT
"We
live in an exciting era of advancement for noninvasive fat removal and body
contouring. Although traditional liposuction remains a great choice for many,
more people are turning to noninvasive, no-anesthesia treatments," says
Arash Akhavan, M.D., of The Dermatology and Plastic Surgery Group in New York
City. "None of these devices are for weight loss; they're for the
reduction of fat," says Heidi Waldorf, M.D., director of laser and
cosmetic dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. "These new
treatments heat the fat—-using laser light, ultra-sound or radio frequency—to
destroy it. Once fat cells are destroyed, they are naturally eliminated from the
body."
BTL
VANQUISH ME ($500–$750 per session; series of four recommended) is one such
treatment. The FDA-cleared device, which uses a large panel that emits radio
frequency energy, is a favorite of board-certified dermatologist Ellen Marmur,
M.D. "It's ideal for the abdomen, as it evenly treats the whole area, from
flank to flank. The procedure also works well on tougher fat, as well as
squeezable, softer fat."
SCULPSURE
($2,000–$3,000 for a series of four treatments) is yet another radio frequency
device. It is FDA-cleared for use on the abdomen and love handles, but is
undergoing clinicals for usage elsewhere. "The SculpSure laser
specifically targets the fat cells with heat. They're damaged permanently, and
after the treatment your lymphatic system clears them away. SculpSure has been
shown to eliminate up to 24 percent of fat volume," says Mitchell Chasin,
M.D., of the Reflections Center for Skin & Body in New Jersey.
"SculpSure works best for those who are living a healthy lifestyle—-eating
a healthy diet and exercising regularly—but still have stubborn problem areas.
We find this treatment is perfect for those who have hit a plateau, as well as
those who want to pair the procedure with a targeted plan for fat loss,"
adds Chasin.
"LIPOSONIX
($1,500–$4,000 for one session) is another noninvasive fat loss treatment, but
it uses high-intensity focused ultrasound energy to damage fat cells. It's a
longer treatment than SculpSure and many report it to be uncomfortable.
However, it has ten years of safety and proven effectiveness behind it,"
says Chasin. "The ideal candidate for this noninvasive fat removal is one
that has localized "pockets of fat" that diet and exercise just can't
get rid of," says Bruce E. Katz, M.D., director of the Juva Skin &
Laser Center in New York City. "Obese patients are not ideal candidates
for noninvasive body contouring treatments." Nor are those with hanging
skin or skin folds. These cases are best treated with a surgical procedure.
"It
takes two to three months after [noninvasive fat removal] treatments for the
body to flush out the fat cells. I advise patients to start the procedure in
the spring to notice the results by summer," says New York City
dermatologist Anne Chapas, M.D.
HOLD
TIGHT
"It's
important to assess what the underlying issue is," says dermatologist
Francesca Fusco of Wexler Dermatology in New York City. "Sometimes I see
women who think they have an excess fat issue when it's just loose skin."
The good news is that noninvasive devices address both fat removal and tightening.
Hollywood
skin care guru Jamie Sherrill, aka Nurse Jamie, R.N., combines KYBELLA, an
FDA-approved injectable procedure that dissolves unwanted fat pockets in the
chin, knees or ankles, with firming treatments like ULTHERA, in which
ultrasound energy is used to tighten loose skin to slim and contour the lower
leg and cankles. Her Kybella and Ulthera cankle combo starts at $500, and most
clients need two sessions. "There is zero downtime, and most patients are
happy after one to two treatments," says Nurse Jamie.
Moving
back up the body, FUTURA FIT ($600 per session), a pain-free alternative to
liposuction, uses ultrasound and electrical current to define and tone muscles.
"It's like a supercharged personal trainer," says Jeannel Astarita,
an aesthetic laser specialist in New York City. "It works well on the core
but also really defines, lifts and firms the thighs and butt." Astarita
says her typical results are extraordinary for her superfit clients. Butts are
firmed and dramatically lifted, and there's clear definition in the legs and
back muscles, she claims. Some patients say the treatment took them to another
level.
Cosmetic
surgeon and body-sculpting specialist Aaron Rollins, M.D., of Elite Body
Sculpture in Beverly Hills, is not a fan of the aforementioned noninvasive
treatments. He argues that next-level fat removal needs to include, well,
actual fat removal. His patented AIRSCULPT method (starting at $4,000) involves
a minimally invasive freckle-size puncture hole: "There are no needles,
scalpels or stitches. The patient is awake, and after the procedure he or she
can walk out and have lunch."
LIFT THAT
BOOTY
Bet you
didn't know you could get the results of a surgical Brazilian Butt Lift without
the operation. If you're not in good enough physical condition to take
advantage of Futura Fit and you don't want to go under the knife for a
traditional BBL, Rollins's AirSculpt method might be for you. He takes
patients' fat—usually from the waist or the abdomen, again—while they are
awake, and then injects the fat into the butt. "The amazing part is, since
the patients are awake we give them a mirror and they can give us input such as
"Bigger" or "Rounder," much like when getting a
haircut," says Rollins. He adds that the effects are considered permanent,
but if a patient loses or gains a lot of weight the results will diminish.
The
FDA-approved THERMI-SMOOTH BODY, another promising firming procedure, uses a
laser for skin tightening and cellulite. "The ideal candidate is anyone
who has any loose skin anywhere on the body," says Jamé Heskett, M.D.,
founder and medical director of the Wellpath, a wellness center in New York
City. "It works for the face, neck, arms and legs. Areas like the abdomen
or arms might take only 10 to 15 minutes. While areas like the back of the
thighs and buttocks might take 30 minutes." There is zero downtime and no
discomfort. Three sessions, costing $1,500 to $2,000, are usually recommended
for optimal results.
SMOOTH
AND PERFECT
"[One
of] the biggest breakthroughs in the treatment of cellulite is the FDA-cleared
CELLFINA [$3,000–$6,000 per treatment, depending on the area]," says
Akhavan. "With this procedure, the cellulite dimples are anesthetized with
a tiny local injection [similar to what you would get at the dentist's office].
After that, a narrow, oscillating instrument breaks down the fibrous bands that
cause cellulite," he adds.
Astarita
reminds us that with any cosmetic procedure you should "ask to see before
and after pictures of the provider's own work, rather than those provided by a
device manufacturer." And "regardless of how qualified a doctor or
technician seems to be, you should seek treatment by someone who spends time
explaining everything and hearing your concerns during your consultation. If
they don't have time for you before they take your money, they certainly won't
afterward," advises Astarita.
Prices
for the procedures in this story vary by physician, facility and market.
Consult your primary care doctor before proceeding with any cosmetic procedure,
noninvasive or otherwise.
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