Certain types of undergarments can be used to give a saggy stomach a sleek look in lieu of non-surgical liposuction.
Non-surgical liposuction is a cosmetic procedure that aims to remove areas of fatty tissue accumulation from the body without invasive surgery. Some patients may wish to forego the expense and discomfort of traditional liposuction procedures. Others may not be able to undergo surgical liposuction for health reasons. Minimally invasive liposuction alternatives dissolve fat through one of many non-surgical methods. Ultrasonic waves, laser heat, injected chemical solutions, and infrared light are some of the tools non-surgical liposuction can use to help reduce the appearance of fatty tissue under the skin.
Lasers are now used in a variety of cosmetic procedures, from facials to non-surgical liposuction.
Mesotherapy, considered a relatively new form of non-surgical liposuction, uses an injected chemical solution to dissolve fatty tissue under the skin. The solution used in mesotherapy normally includes amino acids, minerals and vitamins. It also often includes phosphatidylcholine deoxycholate, a chemical compound that helps dissolve fat. Most patients need to undergo mesotherapy several times to obtain satisfactory results. However, results can start to appear relatively quickly and some patients report seeing a difference after just one treatment.
Some types of non-surgical liposuction are designed to treat abdominal fat and slim the waist.
VelaShape® liposuction is a type of non-surgical liposuction procedure that aims to reduce the appearance of cellulite. It claims that infrared light, radio waves, and massage can help break down subcutaneous fat deposits that often lead to cellulite. The treatment area is said to develop a firmer, smoother appearance after several sessions.
Vibration Sound Energy Resonance Amplifying Liposuction (VASER®) is a type of non-surgical liposuction that uses ultrasonic waves to break down fatty tissue. Surgeons typically inject a chemical solution into the treatment area before exposing the area to VASER® ultrasonic waves. This technology aims to dissolve fatty tissue in a liquid. The fluid is then usually removed from the treatment area.
Laser liposuction generally relies on the heat of laser lights to dissolve fatty tissue under the skin.
Laser liposuction generally relies on the heat of laser lights to dissolve fatty tissue under the skin. While still minimally invasive, this procedure typically requires the plastic surgeon to remove dissolved fatty tissue with a cannula, the small, hollow surgical tool used in most liposuction surgical procedures. Laser liposuction claims to be a more efficient liposuction option for those looking to reshape small areas where some surgical precision is usually required. Patients generally recover faster with this minimally invasive procedure than with traditional liposuction.
Thermage®, a similar procedure, claims to use laser heat to stimulate collagen production in the skin. The technology claims to be able to tighten and lift the skin and can be an alternative to liposuction for the face and neck.