Plastic surgery has been on a rise in recent years, with injectable and non-surgical treatments specifically gaining in popularity due to their accessibility, minimal risk and outpatient procedures. We all want to look our best and sometimes diet and exercise just don’t cut it. There’s nothing wrong with a little slimming here and there, especially if you’re able do it quicker and easier than more traditional procedures. We admit the thought of going under the knife to shed a few inches off our waist gives us the jitters, but a few injections to rid ourselves of chin fat or a couple lasers for smaller thighs is no biggie. Here are some of our favorite non-surgical procedures you can opt for this summer.
Kybella
One of the newest procedures just approved by the FDA earlier this month is Kybella, a treatment designed to remove and minimize double chins. Injected directly into the under chin, the synthetic drug destroys fat cells in the area before they are absorbed and metabolized by the body. While the procedure has only been approved for the submental triangle, doctors are hopeful that this fat-melting drug could be used all over the body. And while it sounds too good to be true, there is a downside—the treatment can take up to six months of visits to complete and up to 50 injections have to be made during each appointment. Swelling and bruising often occurs. It’s by no means a simple procedure, but it is a fairly effective one.
Coolsculpting
While Coolsculpting is hardly a new procedure, it has been gaining momentum over the past few years and won multiple awards due to its effectiveness and ease of use. Unlike other procedures that require injections, this FDA-approved treatment done over the surface of the skin and patients can read, chat or even sleep if they want during the treatment. Some report mild side effects like tingling, numbness (they are freezing the area after all) redness and minimal pain, but for the most part it’s suggested that this is one of the easier and pain-free methods of fat removal. The fat cells are frozen beneath the surface of the skin and over the course of one to three months shrink and die, leaving you with a smaller, whittled figure.
Ultherapy
Rather than go under the knife for a facelift, Ultherapy uses sound energy to create a response in the body’s own regenerative process. Two to three months after the procedure, patients will begin to see results as the body begins to create more collagen. FDA-approved for the face, neck and décolletage, the results are not as transformative as a traditional facelift, but for those who may need less work, a touch up or are hesitant about more aggressive procedures, may find this to be a great alternative. The treatment is short, often over in 30-90 minutes, depending on what is being done with zero downtime. A sensation of “tiny amounts of energy” have been reported, but the risks on this procedure are suggested to be fairly minimal.
Zerona
Through the use of a low-level cold laser, Zerona can help get rid of unwanted fat all over the body. While other minimizing procedures lower the number of fat cells in the body by destroying them, this FDA-approved treatment actually emulsifies the center of the cells causing them to dump their fatty content rather than die off. The cell contents are then absorbed into the system and passed through the body as waste. The reported fat loss is an average of 3.4 inches from the waist, hips and thighs. As the procedure uses a cold laser, patients won’t feel the pain or burning sensitive often associated with laser treatments and the entire process takes 20 to 40 minutes. One downside is that it is a time consuming process as a total of six treatments need to be done—one occurring every other day or else the fat can be reabsorbed by the cell.
Non-Surgical Nose Jobs
Rhinoplasty is one of the most popular types of plastic surgery—it’s easily accessible, affordable and can give anyone dramatic results. But it is a fairly aggressive procedure. For a similar result, “liquid face lifts” or non-surgical nose jobs can be done with popular fillers like Restylane or Juvederm. These procedures can be done as quickly and painlessly as other injectable treatments, but the results are temporary lasting anywhere from six months to a few years. As with all injectables be sure that your doctor is fully licensed and certified to offer the procedure.
Liposonix
Using high-intensity, focused ultrasound to penetrate the skin, Liposonix targets subcutaneous fat cells and destroys them in as little as one treatment. Intended for the waistline (abdomen and love handles), a one hour session can contour problem areas in the body, resulting in the loss of about one inch around the stomach. Most patients typically see results in about eight to 12 weeks and can resume normal activities the same day as the procedure. There may be discomfort, pain, cold, pricking sensations or tingling during the procedure and over the next eight to 12 weeks Liposonix reports minimal pain, bruising, swelling and redness.
Of course all procedures, surgical or non-surgical should be discussed with your doctor, and the risks and benefits assessed. The aforementioned procedures do make note that they are tools to be used to aid in body sculpting and fat reduction—they alone are not cure-alls or weight-loss solutions. These are to be used in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise for best results. Plan a consultation with your local practitioner if you’re still undecided so you make the best, most informative decision for your body and health.
