Comparing Non-Invasive Fat Loss Technologies

December 30, 2024

If you are a consumer looking to lose unwanted stubborn fat there is good news, you have options. How do you know what option is best for you? There is a wealth of information you can find online, but the information is scattered making comparisons difficult. Today I will be comparing multiple non-invasive fat loss technologies to help you determine what option is best for you. Information was pulled from the respective device manufacturer’s websites and is included below.

Ultrashape® http://www1.candelamedical.com/ap/provider/product/ultrashape-power


UltraShape ® or Ultrashape Power® uses non-thermal ultrasound energy waves and is known by many as ultrasonic cavitation. These waves break down fat cells in the targeted area which ultimately kills the fat cells. Your body processes and removes the destroyed cells. Because your body has to destroy and eliminate fat cells it takes at least 2 weeks to see results with optimal results achieved within 12 weeks based on the recommended 3 treatments. Per the manufacturer’s website, 3 thirty-minute sessions result in a 2.4-2.6 cm (approximately 1 inch) circumference reduction in the treated area. Ultrashape® can only be used on the abdomen and thighs. Because the technology ultimately kills your fat cells it can lead to dysmorphic fat accumulation – if you gain weight (fat) after the procedure, the fat that would have gone to the killed fat cells is redirected to other parts of the body. The procedure requires little or no downtime, patients report minor discomfort or no discomfort during the procedure with erythema and reddening of the skin as potential side effects. Ultrashape® does not tighten loose skin so additional skin tightening treatments could be needed depending on skin elasticity.


UltraSlim® https://wardphotonics.com/ultraslim.php?t=Ultraslim


UltraSlim® uses high-powered, patented LED red light and is the only non-invasive device FDA-cleared for immediate fat loss. UltraSlim demonstrated a 100% efficacy rate in clinical trials, patients lost an average of 3.5 inches immediately following one 32-minute treatment. UltraSlim uses patented 635nm LED red light to open pores within your fat cells allowing fat contents to drain out. The pores stay open for up to 72 hours, patients lose an additional 1.25 inches in the 3 days post-treatment increasing the average inch loss to 4.75 inches. UltraSlim providers offer a 2-inch loss money-back guarantee if you don’t lose 2 inches immediately following your first treatment. UltraSlim® is the safest body sculpting device with no negative side effects reported, it is a risk category 1 device (same risk category as a tongue depressor). In addition to being the safest device, UltraSlim is also the most effective (per clinical trial data). UltraSlim® is also FDA-cleared for the reduction of pain and inflammation as well as skin tightening & rejuvenation, so you get 3 benefits in 1 treatment. UltraSlim procedures are considered “touchless transformations” because the device doesn’t touch your skin, you lay 1-2 inches under a 23’ x 17’ inch light that is warm to the touch but not hot enough to burn you. Patients report the procedure is extremely relaxing. A major factor in the outstanding results UltraSlim provides is the fact that non-coherent (spreading) light is used as opposed to a laser (single light beam) or ultrasonic waves which uses a transducer (wand) to affect fat loss in what amounts to be a much smaller treatment area.


Coolsculpting® https://www.coolsculpting.com/


Coolsculpting® uses cryolipolysis which literally means it freezes and kills fat cells. Coolsculpting is FDA-cleared for the treatment of visible fat bulges under the chin and jawline, thigh, abdomen, and flank, along, with back fat, banana roll, and upper arm. Coolsculpting® is considered a non-invasive treatment, however, there is more discomfort and pain associated with the procedure than other compared devices which include mild pinching, intense cold, stinging, aching, and cramping at the treatment site. While Coolsculpting is a more well-known option for non-invasive fat loss it has gained some headlines and notoriety for the wrong reasons recently. Linda Evangelista, a model who used CoolSculpting for fat loss, was diagnosed with paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH), a rare side effect where the freezing process in CoolSculpting causes the fatty tissue to thicken and expand. These protrusions are hard to the touch, not soft like the subcutaneous fat in your body. While CoolSculpting states this rare side effect happens in less than 1% of the cases, many people openly questioned if this number was accurate. While Evangelista’s case was severe, we have seen patients who had milder versions of this in our practice, where the skin was hard and protruded in the area they received Coolsculpting treatments. These protrusions are impenetrable through non-invasive fat-loss techniques and often can’t even be fixed with liposuction. Per the device manufacturer’s website, it can take 1-3 months to see results with full results taking 6 months or more.


SculpSure® https://www.sculpsure.com/


SculpSure®, sometimes referred to as laser lipo, is a laser that uses a specific wavelength of light that heats up subcutaneous fat to break down and ultimately kill fat cells in the treated area. There is a constant cooling mechanism that helps keep the skin from being damaged during the procedure, most patients feel a deep warmth and/or tingling sensation intermittently throughout the treatment which is generally well-tolerated. SculpSure® procedures last about 25 minutes and a package of treatments is usually recommended to see optimal results. Because SculpSure® works by killing fat cells, optimal results are typically seen 12 weeks after the procedure. SculpSure® is FDA-cleared to reduce fat in the belly, love handles, back, thighs, and under the chin. Side effects include redness and tenderness of the skin which typically resolves in a couple of days. Local swelling, bruising, or tissue firmness and nodules may occur after treatment and can last a few weeks. For those who develop nodules, it is recommended to massage the area 2 times per day for 12 weeks or until your next treatment. SculpSure treatment. These are not harmful and may last a few days to a few weeks. SculpSure® does not tighten loose skin which could create the need for skin tightening treatments.


In conclusion
All 4 technologies are FDA cleared for fat loss and are considered non-invasive. UltraShape ®, Coolsculpting®, and SculpSure® all kill your fat cells which means it will take 12 weeks or more to see optimal results and fat loss can be uneven around the treated area leading to dimpling of the skin. Pain, reddening, swelling bruising, and skin protrusions are potential side effects with these 3 technologies.


UltraSlim® is the only device that provides immediate fat loss results and also has no reported side effects (other than weight loss). UltraSlim® is also the only device of the 4 that is FDA-cleared for skin tightening, meaning it tightens skin in the treated area where fat is lost. UltraSlim® treatments are completely painless, it is FDA cleared for the reduction of pain and inflammation making it the only option where pain in the treated area is reduced, as opposed to increased post-treatment.

A woman is laying on a bed with red lights on her body.

The Impact of Red Light Therapy on Weight Loss

December 30, 2024
In recent years, red light therapy has gained attention for its potential benefits in various health and wellness applications, including weight loss, healing, recovery, and pain management. This non-invasive treatment involves exposure to low levels of red or near-infrared light, which is thought to stimulate cellular function and promote healing. While the science is still being studied, new research suggests that red light therapy may indeed play a role in supporting weight loss efforts. Let’s explore the science behind red light therapy and its impact on weight loss.
A woman is measuring her waist with a tape measure.

What Is The Best Weight Loss Program?

December 30, 2024
The overwhelming majority of the people residing in the U.S. will think about losing weight this year but only a small percentage will actually follow through and succeed in losing weight and keeping it off. What is the secret of the people who succeed in their weight loss journey? That would be nice if there was a one size fits all diet that worked for everyone but the facts are people process macronutrients (carbohydrates, fat, and protein) differently. Some people can efficiently metabolize carbohydrates and others tend to store carbohydrates as fat easier. The unfortunate answer is there is no one size shrinks all equally diet, and your success depends less on the food that encompasses your diet than you might think. I am going to make the assumption you are intelligent enough to know losing weight requires a healthier diet with fewer calories than you have been consuming. The diet plan is typically not the issue, it is executing the plan that causes the overwhelming majority of people to fail. There are several components that make up a successful weight loss program, instead of listing them in order of importance to lose weight, I will list them in order of what’s important to succeed long term. The three biggest keys are mental approach, support, and the actual nutrition program, meal plan, or diet itself. The mental approach in a weight loss program encompasses a lot. The first and most important part is acknowledging and accepting you will be making major wholesale changes to your diet. You have to be committed to change in the beginning because there will be more bumps in the beginning of your weight loss journey than there will be 6 months down the road if you have sustained success. Setting realistic goals is another important aspect of achieving long-term success. If you want to lose 50 lbs and haven’t been at your goal weight in 20 years, which happened to be the summer before your senior year in High School, you have set yourself up for failure. Not everyone can afford a medical or professionally supervised weight loss program that offers tools such as a detailed body composition analysis that could tell you exactly how many pounds of fat you have and help determine how much fat or weight you can lose. Set goals that are more realistic and while it is good to have a short-term goal, make your ultimate weight loss goal 6 months or longer down the road.