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Body Contouring 101: Everything to Know About Body Contouring Treatments

Contouring

11 minute read

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Body contouring is a non-surgical procedure that uses equipment to eliminate fat, shape areas of the body, and tighten skin. The equipment used during a body contouring treatment typically utilizes freezing technology, or radio-frequency technology to cause the fat cells to go through their destruction phase so that the fat cells then leave the body through your lymphatic system.

Body contouring treatments will not provide a dramatic reduction in weight, and intended to treat stubborn, small pockets of fat that may be resistant to diet and exercise. People decide to have body contouring treatments to help look and feel thinner or to help obtain a more sculpted look.

GraceMed offers body contouring treatments at select clinics where you can get a consultation to determine the best body contouring option for you. Use our guide to learn more about body contouring, its benefits, and the different treatments available to suit varying needs.

Common areas for body contouring

Common areas of the body treated are:

  • Abdomen
  • Arms
  • Back
  • Buttocks
  • Neck and chin
  • Thighs

What are the advantages of body contouring?

Body contouring is an amazing tool for people who are close to their ideal body weight and shape. Many people who have undergone body contouring treatments report more defined, well-shaped body parts, a younger, thinner appearance, smoother skin, and muscle strength improvements.

Another benefit of body contouring treatments is that is non-surgical therefore you do not require any downtime. However, with non-surgical body contouring options, it may take a few weeks to months to notice a difference in your appearance.

Candidates for body contouring

Who is a candidate for body contouring?

Good candidates for body contouring treatments are patients that are close to their ideal body weight and shape. Body contouring treatments are a great compliment to diet and exercise and can help patients achieve their aesthetic goals.

If you’re unsure if you would be a good candidate for body contouring treatments, you can always schedule a consultation at a clinic that offers body contouring treatments. During a consultation, a medical aesthetician will assess the area(s) you are looking to treat and can make treatment recommendations customized for you.

Body contouring treatments are most purchased in packages that include several individual treatments. Each body contouring device has different protocols for the sequencing of appointments, you will need to discuss with your medical aesthetician the timeframe and number of appointments required to achieve your desired result.

In the GTA, GraceMed Mississauga and GraceMed Burlington offer complimentary consultations for patients who are interested in learning more about body contouring treatments.

Who is not a candidate for body contouring?

Someone who may not be a candidate for body contouring would be individuals who are farther away from their goal weight or present with a higher quantity of excess skin. Therefore, another option would be to consider surgical body contouring or you may wait until you are closer to your goal weight.

Additionally, some patients with metal implants in their body may not be candidates for certain body contouring equipment. It’s important that you’re honest during your consultation with your medical aesthetician regarding your previous surgical procedures to make sure you don’t have any contraindications with the body contouring equipment.

What happens before your body contouring treatment?

The first step is scheduling your consultation with a clinic that offers body contouring equipment. During your initial consultation your medical aesthetician will discuss with you your goals, medical history including health conditions, allergies and previous surgeries. They will also discuss with you any medications you may be taking, including vitamins and over-the-counter drugs.

After reviewing your medical history and discussing your goals, your medical aesthetician will examine and measure the area(s) you are looking to treat. After assessing the area(s) you are looking to treat, they will discuss your treatment options and provide recommendations.

If you decide to move forward with the treatment plan recommended by your medical aesthetician, they will help schedule your treatments accordingly. At your treatment appointment, they will likely take photos of the area(s) you’re treating and have you review and sign consent forms.

Additionally, your medical aesthetician may take your weight and take measurements throughout your treatments to track your progress.

Is there downtime with body contouring treatments?

There is not any associated downtime with body contouring treatments. People are able to resume their usual daily activities immediately after their appointment. Depending on the type and strength of the body contouring treatment, you may feel slightly sore the next day – similar to after working out at the gym.

However, this is a positive outcome as it indicates that the muscles were at work during your treatment which is the goal! Treatments are typically between 30 – 60 minutes per session depending on the type of body contouring you decide to do.

Types of Body Contouring Treatments:

EMSCULPT®

EmSculpt® is the first device to build muscle and sculpt your body. EmSculpt® is a high intensity electromagnetic therapy procedure that can enlarge current muscles, as well as grow new muscle fibers. The EmSculpt® procedure is Health Canada and FDA cleared.

EmSculpt® is based on high intensity focused electromagnetic energy. A single EmSculpt® session causes thousands of powerful muscle contractions which are extremely important in improving the tone and strength of your muscles.

These powerful induced muscle contractions are not achievable through voluntary contractions. The muscle tissue is forced to adapt to such extreme condition. It responds with a deep remodeling of its inner structure that results in muscle building and sculpting your body.

Each session of EmSculpt® is about 30 minutes in length and is the equivalent to 20,000 crunches or squats. Most people require a minimum of 4 sessions to have noticeable results. GraceMed Burlington offers EmSculpt® treatments and complimentary consultations for people who are interested in learning if they are a candidate for EmSculpt® treatments.

Vanquish™

Vanquish™ is the second generation of contactless technology for non-invasive fat cell disruption. With the largest treatment area in the industry, it treats flank to flank in one session, all with unrivaled patient comfort and safety.

Vanquish™ is an in office, non-surgical treatment that can be used to treat stubborn fat on the abdomen, waist, flanks, lower back and flanks, and inner/outer thighs. The treatment uses selective heating therapy to permanently damage surplus fat cells.

The heat from the radiofrequency energy warms the fat cells in that time period to over 100 degrees, at which temperature they are permanently destroyed. Over time, the body naturally filters the damaged fat cells through its lymphatic processes and flushes out the system.

Thanks to the special design of the technology and equipment, the applicator does not come in contact with the body at all. It is calibrated to target the unwanted fat cells without damaging the surrounding tissue, overlying skin, hair follicles, or sweat glands.

Each Vanquish™ treatment is approximately 45 minutes in length, and people typically require a minimum of 4 treatments spaced about a week apart. People find the treatments relaxing and report feeling like they are sitting under a warm blanket for the duration of the treatment.

If you’re interested in learning more about Vanquish™ treatments, you can contact GraceMed Burlington to schedule a complimentary consultation and discuss if you’re a candidate for treatment.

CoolSculpting®

CoolSculpting® is a leading non-surgical fat-reduction treatment. It’s an innovative way to contour your body by freezing unwanted fat. It involves minimal expected downtime, and people return to their usual activities immediately following their treatment.

During your treatment, a gel pad and applicator will be applied to the specified treatment area. This delivers controlled cooling to the targeted fat. Controlled cooling is delivered via an applicator to freeze the targeted fat.

Though you may feel intense cold initially, this feeling usually subsides as the area numbs. Additionally, because most applicators use a vacuum to draw fatty tissue into the applicator cup, you may also feel some pulling, tugging and/or mild pinching.

After the treatment, the frozen fat will gradually leave the body through your lymphatic drainage system. Your CoolSculpting® medical aesthetician will help you create an individualized treatment plan tailored to your specific goals.

The length of your CoolSculpting® treatment will vary depending on the number of areas being treated during one visit. The latest technology of CoolSculpting® can treat a patient within 60 minutes. If you have limited time but have several areas of unwanted fat, some practices may even have multiple CoolSculpting® systems.

Your medical aesthetician will explain the process and establish if this is a suitable option for you. You and your medical aesthetician may also schedule additional treatments or office visits in order to meet your goals.

If you would like to learn more about CoolSculpting® treatments, you can contact GraceMed in Mississauga to schedule your complimentary consultation.

Exilis Ultra® is a state-of-the-art device for body contouring, fat removal, wrinkle reduction, and skin tightening. The first and only device to simultaneously combine radiofrequency and ultrasound to tighten skin and address body concerns. Controlled heating and cooling ensure that energy is delivered to various depths in the tissue.

Changing power and cooling during treatment allows the provider to treat deep tissue all the way up to the superficial layer. Exilis Ultra® is an option for anyone who’s already close to their ideal weight and wants only subtle body contouring. People who are not candidates for the procedure include those who are pregnant and those with metallic or electronic body implants, such as pacemakers.

Each Exilis Ultra® treatment is approximately 30 minutes in length depending on the area of the body you are interested in treating. Depending on the skin laxity in the treatment area, typically people require a minimum of 2 – 4 treatments that are spaced 7 – 10 days apart.

If you’re interested in learning more about the Exilis Ultra® treatment, you can contact GraceMed Burlington for a complimentary consultation.

Alternatives to Body Contouring Treatments

Injectable Fat Dissolve

Another consideration for areas of small fat deposits is to have fat dissolve injected to eliminate the fat. Areas such as under the chin, are commonly treated with injectable fat dissolve.

During a fat dissolve appointment, a grid like pattern may be traced onto the skin of the area being treated to help map out where the injections should be injected. You may also receive topical numbing cream to the area being treated to help alleviate any discomfort associated with the injections.

A series of treatments may be required to achieve a noticeable reduction in fat. You can meet with a nurse for a consultation who can assess you in person and provide you with an estimate of the number of treatments that may be required to achieve your desired outcome.

Fat dissolve injections are typically spaced a minimum of 4 weeks apart, and people are often swollen for at least a couple of days following their treatment.

Surgical Body Contouring

People who are concerned with substantial fat deposits or skin laxity concerns may find meeting with a plastic surgeon to discuss their body contouring options more beneficial.

Body contouring equipment, although effective, is only capable of limited fat reduction and skin tightening. Therefore, with surgical body contouring people are able to achieve a more dramatic loss in fat and are also able to better address their skin laxity concerns. Options for surgical body contouring could include liposuction, abdominoplasty, and thigh lift.

With surgical body contouring procedures, although the change in your figure is immediate, there will be healing time required before being able to resume your normal activities. You should schedule a consultation with a plastic surgeon to ensure you are a safe candidate for surgical body contouring.

Diet and Exercise

Changing your diet and exercise routine can have a dramatic effect on the appearance and shape of your figure. Making healthier food decisions can help reduce unwanted fat. With a healthier diet, and exercise routine, you will start to notice a change in your body’s appearance. Exercise routines, specifically cardio, can help reduce fat in the body. Toning exercises, such as weightlifting, can help improve muscle definition and tone.

It may take a few weeks before you notice a change in your figure with altering your diet and exercise routine. Prior to making any dramatic changes in your diet and exercise lifestyle, you should consult with your family physician to ensure you are making a positive, safe change for your body.

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