Freeze those unwanted fat trouble spots

Achieving spot fat reduction was once considered about as likely as winning a billion-dollar lottery.

However slender a person may once have been, stubborn fat deposits on arms, legs and torso would only reduce proportionately with the rest of the body, no matter how rigorous the diet or targeted the exercise.

Fast forward to 2018 and fat reduction treatment has evolved to allow men and women to target their trouble spots when seeking a more streamlined-looking physique.

Key among the technologies available is cryolipolysis, a non-invasive body contouring treatment that seeks to reduce fat cell volume by freezing. Fat cells are literally frozen to death.

The theory behind cryolipolysis is that fat cells are more sensitive to cold temperatures than other types of surrounding body cells. The genesis of its use for aesthetic purposes evolved from clinical observation and testing in the Unites States.

During a cryolipolysis body contouring treatment, a non-invasive applicator delivers precisely controlled cooling to an area of the body, to target and eliminate fat cells.

‘‘Clinical studies show fat cells contained within the treatment area that are frozen to minus 10 degrees cannot survive,’’ says Danielle Smith, owner of Elite Body Contouring in Sydney’s Rosebery.

‘‘The body then proceeds to absorb the damaged cells and eliminate them through normal metabolic process over two to four months. Initial results may be seen in as little as a month,’’ she says.

Each treatment session seeks to significantly reduce subcutaneous fat. Smith recommends a minimum of two sessions to see a dramatically visible difference.

‘‘To achieve a minimum 80 per cent reduction, four sessions will be required. Treatments are spaced eight weeks apart to allow the body enough time to facilitate the natural removal of dead fat cells,’’ she says.

‘‘The submental ‘double chin’ area can be treated in as little as 30 minutes. Larger areas such as thighs and stomach can take around an hour a session.

‘‘The initial delivery may feel a little uncomfortable because of the very cold applicator and moderate vacuum suction but clients are generally comfortable and relaxed through the rest of the treatment. The minus-zero temperature may cause the area to feel numb.’’

Smith says Elite Body Contouring uses the premium body composition scanning equipment InBody 770, used by professional sporting teams and hospitals.

‘‘This allows us to track our clients’ results with real data, not guesswork,’’ she says. ‘‘It allows us to measure both subcutaneous fat as well as visceral fat and to track the percentage of body fat, skeletal muscle mass and water levels in different parts of the body, which are all vital in achieving the best possible results for nonsurgical body sculpting.

‘‘By only stepping on a set of scales you are unable to obtain a true picture of what is happening with your body. The InBody uses an electric current that runs through the body giving you exact measurements.’’

Elite Body Contouring (a second clinic is opening soon in Sydney’s inner west and a third by the end of the year) offers several non-surgical body sculpting treatments as well as cryolipolysis. The clinic also offers HIFU (high intensity focused ultrasound), a non-surgical ‘‘facelift’’ aimed at improving the appearance of lines and wrinkles.

Treatments can have risks and body contouring is not a substitute for good health. Regular exercise, healthy eating patterns and balanced nutrition are at the core of a healthy body.

Smith says Elite’s mission is to help make ‘‘every single client feel as comfortable about themselves and their bodies as possible’’. She leads a team that has undertaken more than 5000 treatments. ‘‘We deliver the best possible results to our clients,’’ she says.