The term “body contouring” is being used more and more often in the aesthetic field. But as a patient, how much do you actually know about it? At Dermatology Associates of Atlanta (DAA), we’re dedicated to treating our patients from head to toe for both the health and the appearance of their skin, and this includes body contouring. The term “body contouring” simply means sculpting your body to have the curves and proportions you want by removing fat from specific areas, and in some cases, reducing cellulite and skin laxity for an even slimmer, more toned look.

The Difference between Body Contouring and Weight Loss

Losing weight by eating healthier and exercising is an ideal course of action for people who are overweight and want to improve their health while also losing fat throughout their entire body. Body contouring, however, is designed for patients who are already at or near a healthy weight, and who simply have specific “problem areas” that they want to slim down, like a small bulge on the abdomen or “saddle bags” on the sides of the thighs. In other words, weight loss provides health benefits as well as aesthetic changes, while body contouring is done for purely cosmetic reasons. In fact, body contouring is often used as a “finishing touch” for someone who has reached or nearly reached their goal weight and just can’t seem to lose that last bit of fat regardless of how hard they try.

Types of Body Contouring

The category of body contouring includes both surgical and non-surgical fat removal. Of course, surgical fat removal is known as liposuction, and it involves using a tiny, narrow metal tube to break up and suction out fat cells from the target area through extremely small incisions (typically just a few millimeters long). At DAA, our own Dr. D. Scott Karempelis has been performing liposuction for over twenty years, and he also enhances the results by using SlimLipo™. This unique laser uses targeted warmth as part of the surgical process of tumescent liposuction, and this makes the fat cells easier to remove, but it also tightens the skin in the area as well, offering a more comprehensive result.

But in the past decade, new technologies have also emerged to remove fat non-surgically, with no incisions, no recovery time, and short, convenient treatments. At DAA, we offer three distinct procedures:

• CoolSculpting® – uses precise cooling at a level which damages fat cells without affecting skin or other tissue
• BodyFX™ – uses radio frequency (RF) energy to create targeted warmth around the fat cells, while also reducing cellulite and tightening the skin
• UltraShape® – uses ultrasound energy (similar to the energy used for sonograms for pregnant women) to damage the fat cells

While each of these treatments use a different form of energy, they all work by non-invasively killing fat cells in the treatment area. Then, your body’s natural metabolism will remove these damaged fat cells over the course of several weeks or a few months, leaving you with less fat and a more sculpted physique.

Maintaining Body Contouring Results

For the most part, you have the same number of fat cells throughout your life; weight gain and weight loss happen when the fat cells enlarge or shrink. Body contouring, on the other hand, removes a certain number of fat cells. While these fat cells won’t return, the remaining fat cells in the treatment area as well as in other areas of your body are just as capable of enlarging as they were before, so if you gain weight in the future, it will have a negative impact on your results.

At DAA, we offer dozens of unique cosmetic treatments in addition to all the ways we treat medical skin conditions, because we’re dedicated to providing our patients with the best quality of care from head to toe. With such a diverse menu of services, we’re able to identify and provide the treatment methods that are truly best for each patient’s individual needs. If you’re ready to give your life a boost by finally tackling some cosmetic concerns or getting a skin condition under control, schedule a consultation at Dermatology Associates of Atlanta today. Or, for more helpful information, skin care tips, and monthly special offers, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.