Body contouring
The lunchtime fix for a sleek physique
Why are body contouring treatments popular?
Mareldia Jones and Allan Scott, codirectors of Lokkima, which offers nonsurgical body contouring, also known as non-surgical fat reduction, skin tightening and cellulite reduction, begin: “We encourage a healthy lifestyle. Our treatments aren’t intended to replace a healthy routine but rather work hand in hand. As much as we’d like to find time to fit daily gym visits into our busy lives, it’s not always possible due to time constraints and/or a lack of energy. You could be working out and eating healthily but still have problem areas – and that’s where Lokkima comes in. Women are warriors, but even warriors need a little extra help from time to time. Our body contouring treatments are safe, effective, and there’s no downtime.”
Echoing Mareldia and Allan, Dr Gertruida van Niekerk from The Specialist Laser Institute (SKIN) adds, “Ageing, pregnancy, weight gain, weight loss and other factors can contribute to how your body changes over time. Body contouring treatments are becoming increasingly popular amongst women who’re looking outside the gym to help tone and shape their bodies.
“People are embracing healthy lifestyles with balanced diets and exercise, however, some adipose tissue (storage of energy in the form of fat) stubbornly refuses to shift. Then some’ve lost weight and are left with sagging skin or cellulite that negatively affects their self-confidence.”
In-office liposuction
“We perform in-office liposuction using a local anaesthetic in the doctor’s rooms,” Dr Van Niekerk tells Glamour. “It focuses on a targeted area to remove
adipose tissue. A medical suction device is applied to remove liquefied fat gently and permanently from the affected area. That allows a plastic surgeon to remove fat less invasively and without disrupting healthy tissue surrounding it.
“We use it to sculpt the neck, chin, arms, breasts, back, flanks or love handles, abdomen, thighs, hips, pubis, knees, ankles, and other areas where diet and exercise-resistant fat is present. “The procedure is safe and minimally invasive. The fat cells we eliminate are gone for good. The patient experiences minimal to no downtime and discomfort, and most of them may resume their usual routine and return to their workplace after around one to three days.
“Bruising and swelling is also significantly reduced compared with traditional liposuction, and full results are visible much faster as the swelling resolves. In-office liposuction is safer, with a substantially lower risk of side effects and complications.”
What is Emsculpt?
“It’s a revolutionary new body sculpting treatment that tones and lifts the abs, buttocks, arms and legs, and is the only procedure that helps both men and women burn fat and build muscle in hard-to-treat areas. Imagine doing 20 000 sit-ups in 30 minutes without breaking a sweat!” say Mareldia and Allan.
“By building muscle and reducing unwanted fat simultaneously, you can noticeably enjoy a more defined body. It works by directing highly focused electromagnetic energy to the targeted area, forcing muscles to contract in a way that’s not possible through exercise. In response to these contractions, the muscles in the area you’ve had treated rebuild and fat starts to melt away more easily. The treatment assists in defining muscles and can be performed every two to three days on the same area.”
The best treatments to slim and tighten?
“At SKIN, we recommend Exilis, an inoffice procedure using radiofrequency technology to tighten the skin, remove fat non-invasively and contour the body with no downtime or pain. Multiaward winning and FDA approved with proven clinical results, Exilis tones and improves skin texture whilst reducing fat and wrinkles, firming skin and combatting cellulite. It uses radiofrequency technology,” explains Dr Van Niekerk.
Mareldia and Allan tell Glamour that “an expert applies an RF (radio frequency) machine to the desired area and uses high-frequency radio waves to penetrate and heat different layers of the skin, stimulating the skin’s ability to produce collagen and elastin. An ultrasonic cavitation machine tightens and tones the skin, which in turn decreases cellulite and breaks down your fat cells.”
They add that high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is fast becoming an alternative to more invasive anti-ageing treatments available on the market because it promotes natural collagen production and promises long-lasting results. It targets smaller fat pockets and helps to reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
The details
Results, and the number of sessions required, vary depending on the individual. View body contouring treatments as an investment in your body. Depending on your goal weight your tailored treatment plan includes a fitness and eating plan.
For optimal results, Dr Van Niekerk recommends a combination of four to six sessions each of The Emsculpt (R5 000 per session), and Exilis treatment (R500 per session).
“Imagine doing 20 000 situps in 30 minutes without breaking a sweat!”
For more info, visit scinmed.com and coolbodyscuplting.co.za