By: Heather Orr, MSN, FNP-C is a medical provider at Halcyon Med Spa
Non-invasive, FDA-approved body contouring has entered the mainstream with the promise of removing unwanted subcutaneous fat in areas that are resistant to diet and exercise. It’s an attractive alternative to surgery. As we age or experience pregnancies, body fat will accumulate and can be difficult to shed. Some fat accumulation follows hereditary patterns, such as on thighs or a double chin, which can be very difficult to lose.
Of the two leading body sculpting technologies available, our practice has invested in TruSculpt, because of one very important difference: skin tightening. Both methods are proven to permanently destroy fat cells, but without tightening skin around the treated areas, you are only addressing part of the issue.
TruSculpt works by using radio-frequency to heat the fat cells to greater than 45 C for greater than three minutes. This induces apoptosis, or pre-programmed cell death. That’s right, cell death. This means that the fat cells don’t merely shrink, they literally self-destruct and are gone forever. Even if you were to experience moderate weight gain after TruSculpt, your body would store fat in different areas, because fat cells in treated areas are permanently gone.
In aesthetic medicine we often talk of preventive procedures that have the goal of avoiding or delaying surgical options like liposuction or a facelift. Many patients want to avoid the expense and risks that come with surgery, such as general anesthesia, incisions and scars. Results from the less invasive approach will be more subtle than surgery, so it’s important to have realistic expectations from non-surgical procedures. Start by consulting with a provider with whom you can discuss your goals and desired outcomes.
We know that body sculpting in general appeals to people who are close to their goal weight and want to refine the perfect six-pack, or shed pesky love handles, and those areas are treated very effectively by TruSculpt. However, there are other less obvious applications and benefits as well.
Using the neck and chin as an example, a patient could experience an incredibly effective treatment over time with TruSculpt. Thanks to this technology’s ability to simultaneously reduce fat and tighten and firm the skin above that fat, a patient could enjoy results similar to a surgical facelift without the downtime and risks required of a major operation.
Another health-positive benefit of TruSculpt is reduction in BMI, or Body Mass Index, due to the complete destruction of fat cells. A reduction of even 5% of body weight and resultant reduction in BMI helps improve insulin resistance and reduce the rate of developing complications from cardiac diseases and diabetes. Together with activities like walking and swimming, and diets rich in vegetables and grains, TruSculpt can be a valuable tool in achieving personal goals.
The takeaway is that a procedure like TruSculpt that uses radio-frequency heat to destroy fat cells, has more benefits than just looking good in a swimsuit. Some people may really want to look good at the beach, but all of us want to want to live longer, healthier lives. This treatment, especially when combined with healthy lifestyle habits, can also improve your overall cardiac health, decrease your chances of developing complications from diabetes, and potentially save you from considering surgical procedures. As with all of our medical spa services, we are always available for a free consultation about TruSculpt and how it could change the shape of your body.
_________________
Heather Orr, MSN, FNP-C is a medical provider at Halcyon Med Spa.
Halcyon Med Spa is solely owned and operated by Dr. Lonnie Schwirtlich. All medical services are performed by Heather Orr, a Family Nurse Practitioner and Angelica Jackson, a Board Certified PA trained in Dermatology and an Allergen Master Injector.