Introduction
Body sculpting/contouring is an exciting and rapidly changing aspect of plastic surgery. It involves surgical and non-surgical procedures designed to reshape and sculpt the body. The procedure makes it possible to tone, tighten, and smooth your body. It’s an exciting alternative to regular invasive liposuction.
Body sculpting comes with an array of myths and misinformation, though.
Most patients approach body sculpting with wrong assumptions, erroneously believing that it prevents weight gain, helps with sagging skin, that the results are short-term, that it is painful, that you need a long recovery, and much more.
Many people don’t fully understand what the procedure entails and its benefits. We want to demystify most of these myths.
So in the spirit of clarity, we’ve outlined a list of myths about body sculpting treatments (and their corresponding facts) below.
1. Body sculpting is suitable for sagging skin
Body contouring kills off and removes excess fat cells to sculpt and tighten your body. Although it helps tighten sagging skin, it’s not designed to target that problem.
The freezing procedure impacts your superficial skin layer fat cells and does not directly impact the skin.
However, there are other procedures to consider that target and improve skin elasticity and sagging.
2. Body sculpting is not effective
The main issue with nonsurgical body contouring is that it’ll take a few sessions before noticing any significant change. Thus, once you manage your expectations, you’ll realise that the procedure is safer and more effective than surgical alternatives.
While there are differences in performed treatments and the number of treatments required, plenty of non-surgical procedures yield results.
Most of these non-invasive procedures have been studied to verify their results. It’s essential to research these treatments before proceeding.
In addition, it’s equally important to exercise and watch your diet as it plays a vital role in maximising your results.
3. Body sculpting equals losing weight
Arguably, this is the most widespread misconception regarding body contouring. However, the truth is that these non-surgical body sculpting treatments reduce stubborn fat pockets on specific body parts.
Therefore, they don’t help an overweight or obese person lose weight.
In fact, the most suitable patient for body sculpting treatments is someone close to their ideal BMI. These people aim to improve the shape of specific areas such as thighs, flanks, abdomen, etc.
4. Body sculpting prevents weight gain
A body contouring procedure such as CoolSculpting works to remove portions of fat from specific body areas. Thus, it doesn’t cause any drastic weight loss, and all it does is help reshape your body.
Patients after the procedure might still experience weight gain if they don’t adhere to a healthy lifestyle.
5. Body sculpting results are short-term
Many believe the results of body sculpting are temporary, and any gains experienced disappear soon after your treatment. The truth is that when fat cells are removed from your body, they don’t magically re-appear.
But as we mentioned earlier, your lifestyle dramatically contributes to the long-term results. If a patient gains weight post-treatment, it’s evenly distributed throughout their body, not just in the areas where the procedure was done.
6. Body sculpting entails a long recovery period
Most present-day body sculpting procedures are non-surgical and don’t cause any breaking during the treatment. For instance, CoolSculpting uses Cryolipolysis, a freezing technique that targets and kills fat cells in the target areas without causing wounds.
After that, your lymphatic system eliminates the dead fat cells from the body. This means that you’ll experience zero downtime once done with the treatment, and you resume normalcy immediately.
7. Body sculpting is painful
In the past, body sculpting used to be painful due to its invasive nature. However, technological improvements have, to a great extent, minimised the discomfort to almost zero.
For example, CoolSculpting is a non-invasive procedure where a non-invasive vacuum applicator delivers controlled cooling to kill fat cells.
You, therefore, won’t experience any needle, anaesthesia, or surgical incision. It’s fast and comfortable such that you can have it done during your lunch break and return to work immediately after you’re done.
Some of the non-invasive body sculpting procedures you’re likely to experience include:
CoolSculpting (Cold Treatments): This procedure uses cold temperatures not to damage the skin but to kill fat cells. A device pulls your skin portions and then cools the skin while destroying the underneath fat in a given duration. You can use the procedure on your thighs, love handles, abdomen, arms, and chin.
SculpSure (Heat Treatments): Laser treatment is FDA-approved as suitable for fat reduction. While using a laser, the device damages the structure of the fat cells, and after that, the body gets rid of the dead cells. Heat treatments are best for the thighs and the stomach.
UltraShape (Ultrasound Energy): This treatment procedure uses ultrasound energy to break down fat. The procedure lasts about an hour per treatment session, making it the most time-intensive of all the four treatments. It perfectly works on your stomach only and doesn’t cause any discomfort.
Radiofrequency energy (Vanquish, Trusculpt): A radiofrequency device delivers energy, creating heat to kill fat cells. Their main target is water in the fat cells, and it’s advisable to hydrate before the procedure. When dehydrated, the treatment won’t be as effective. Also, you might experience a warm sensation during treatment, but the best part is that it has no downtime.
8. Body sculpting gets rid of cellulite for good
There’s no permanent solution to getting rid of cellulite. Although you’ll find procedures and treatments that significantly impact cellulite reduction, these results aren’t permanent.
Factors like genetics, ageing, and weight gain also play a role in determining the recurrence of cellulite.
9. Body sculpting is just for women
Body sculpting not only benefits women but is also beneficial to men.
According to ASAPS (American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery), male plastic surgeries have tripled in the last twenty years, with liposuction as the most common procedure.
10. Body sculpting only targets the stomach
Although the stomach is one of the most common body sculpting treatment areas, other body parts benefit from the procedure.
Accordingly, body contouring also targets the love handles, double chin, and inner and outer thighs.
11. Body sculpting is suitable for everyone
Although this is a safe procedure, some factors may make you an unsuitable candidate for the procedure. Certain conditions such as severe medical conditions, pregnancy, or poor skin elasticity are some reasons you must visit a consultant first.
So, book a consultation with the treatment provider to clarify whether you meet the criteria.
12. Body sculpting procedures are expensive
There are different body contouring procedures you can choose from, each with its cost. Ultimately, each cost depends on the section of your body you need to be treated, the required sessions, and your desired results.
You can find affordable treatment and financial options for your procedure.
13. Body sculpting poses lots of risks
Non-surgical body sculpting procedures have very minimal risks. Once a professional review your medical history to ensure you’re a viable candidate, you’re good to proceed.
14. Body sculpting only affects the external appearance
A professional team reviewed several medical papers for patients who had undergone bariatric surgery. There was an observation that these patients experienced improved quality of life in psychological and social functioning areas.
Additionally, these patients experienced an overall improvement in self-esteem and sexual functioning.
15. Body sculpting yields immediate results
It’s unrealistic to expect instant results after the initial body sculpting procedure.
Typically, you require several treatments spread between 4-6 weeks to achieve any noticeable result.
Also, it’s critical to remember that results vary depending on the amount of fat and the area you’re treating.
FAQs
Is body sculpting effective?
Body contouring is effective as it shrinks or kills fat cells in targeted body parts. The cells that die go away forever, and there are no chances of them growing back.
Can you see results after one session of body sculpting?
You may notice subtle changes in 1-2 treatments. However, most patients need between 4 to 6 body sculpting sessions in two-week intervals to reach the desired outcome.
What is the best body sculpting procedure?
CoolSculpting leads in the body contouring industry as the most preferred treatment for the non-surgical reduction of fat. Also, it’s the only FDA-cleared treatment that eliminates stubborn fat cells with cooling technology.
Is body sculpting the same as body contouring?
Body sculpting and contouring refer to the same procedure. The terms describe an array of aesthetic plastic surgery treatments that reshape and improve your body’s appearance.
Is body sculpting safe?
Body sculpting has the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) certification on CoolSculpting. It’s non-invasive and non-surgical, and you don’t need recovery time.
Wrapping up
Non-surgical body sculpting comes with a myriad of benefits. Whether you have one exercise-resistant body part or multiple stubborn fat pockets you desire to do away with, we’ll help you achieve that dream body.
At Drayton Cosmetics & Body Sculpting, we have a team of qualified specialists to guide you on body sculpting.
Contact us and schedule an appointment today for the best body sculpting treatments in Toowoomba.
We look forward to serving you.
