Body Contouring: A Minimally Invasive Way to Minimize Stubborn Fat

For people who exercise or engage in routine physical activity on a regular basis, it can still be a chore to lose weight in certain areas. It can happen for a few reasons, such as hormonal and metabolic rate changes.

But rather than enduring surgical treatments or fad diets to try to lose those remaining pounds, there’s a simpler and more effective method for shedding that stubborn fat: body contouring.

Here at Skinworks Dermatology, with three New York City locations, Dr. Javier Zelaya and our team offer expert body contouring treatment. Read on to learn more.

What is body contouring?

Body contouring is the common term for a number of nonsurgical fat reduction treatments.

Each method exposes you to a specific external stimulation, for example, heat or freezing temperatures. The treatment works by targeting smaller areas of fat without affecting other parts of the body. It reduces fat cells and allows them to be excreted out of the body.

Body contouring treatments work best for people who only need small amounts of fat removed, stubborn fat that’s resisted traditional methods. Body contouring isn’t an alternative to a weight loss regimen or other treatments for people with a body mass index (BMI) above 30.

At Skinworks Dermatology, we’re proud to offer several effective body contouring treatments, including CoolSculpting® and Kybella®. They work differently but the goal is the same: reducing stubborn fat.

What is CoolSculpting?

With CoolSculpting, also known as cryolipolysis, we effectively freeze your fat cells without damaging your surrounding skin. Dr. Zelaya uses a hand-held device that creates suction and cooling in targeted areas.

CoolSculpting can effectively reduce fat in many areas of your body, including the abdomen, thighs, arms, buttocks, hips, and back. After the treatment, your lymphatic system naturally — and permanently — flushes the fat cells from your body over time.

What is Kybella?

Kybella is a type of injection lipolysis that uses deoxycholic acid to reduce fat. We generally use Kybella to treat submental fullness, or double chin. 

What can I expect from a body contouring procedure?

The length of your visit depends on the type of treatment you’re getting and how many areas you’re having treated, CoolSculpting can take 1-3 hours, while a Kybella treatment can be as quick as a half-hour.

As a nonsurgical treatment, body contouring allows you to go about your day immediately after your procedure.

With body contouring, multiple sessions are often necessary, and you can expect to see results in as little as six weeks after you complete treatment. 

If you’re looking to rid yourself of stubborn fat and nothing else is working, make an appointment with Dr. Zelaya to see if you’re a candidate for body contouring treatment. Give us a call at one of our three convenient locations or book your consultation online.