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Body sculpting is a nonsurgical and noninvasive method to eliminate fat from the body. There are several kinds of body contouring procedures that all help shape and tone the body. These methods involve surgery, laser, or fat freezing. Because of this, some people may think that body sculpting is painful and so they are hesitant to get these.
But how much pain is experienced during a body sculpting treatment? The pain experienced during a body sculpting treatment will depend on how invasive it is. However, most body contouring procedures aren’t painful at all, which is why it is a preferred method to eliminate unwanted fat in the body.
The pain experienced from body sculpting depends on which procedure you’re getting. Some may cause more pain, depending on how invasive they are. Here are the different kinds of body sculpting procedures and how much pain you experience from it:
What it is: Surgery is one of the most common cosmetic procedures to remove fat from the body. Some of the most popular surgical body sculpting methods include liposuction, tummy tuck, arm contouring, breast augmentation or reduction, and a Brazilian butt lift. However, surgery can increase the risk of infection and can cause bruising and swelling.
Pain Level: Because these require surgery, severe pain may be experienced before and after the procedure. Patients who undergo surgical body sculpting methods require a long recovery period and usually experience moderate pain and soreness 1-2 months after surgery. Because of this, make sure that you have no medical conditions that can impair wound healing.
What it is: Laser lipolysis is an enhanced liposuction technique which involves the use of laser energy to heat and destroy fat cells. It can target fat cells in the arms, thighs, and abdomen. During a laser lipolysis, the high temperature causes fat cells to die and be excreted naturally in a span of 12 weeks after the procedure. This cosmetic procedure also stimulates the production of collagen in the body which helps make the skin more taut.
Pain Level: Compared to traditional liposuction, laser lipolysis does not cause severe pain. However, there may be some discomfort experienced during the treatment because of the tingling sensation of the laser. Side effects of laser lipolysis include numbness, scarring, and discolored or loose skin.
What it is: Injectables are another popular method to help achieve a better look. One example of an injectable treatment are Botox and dermal fillers. Another example of this treatment is Kybella where injections are used to break down fat. During a Kybella treatment, deoxycholic acid is injected to the chin area to reduce the appearance of a double chin.
Pain Level: In general, injectable treatments do not cause a lot of pain. When getting an injectable treatment, a topical numbing cream is usually applied to reduce discomfort. There is minimal recovery time after an injectable treatment, but the patient may experience some side effects like redness, swelling, and bruising.
What it is: Ultrasound technology can also help tone and sculpt different parts of the body. One popular procedure that uses this method is ultrasound cavitation, which is also known by its brand names: Liposonix or UltraShape. It is a non-invasive procedure that uses ultrasonic radio waves to break apart fat cells, which are further absorbed into the body by the lymphatic system to be eliminated. This procedure can target fat in the hips, thighs, and stomach.
Pain Level: Since ultrasonic cavitation does not require any surgery, there is minimal discomfort experienced during the procedure. Some side effects like minimal pain and bruising may occur after the treatment.
What it is: One of the most popular muscle enhancement treatments is the EMSculpt, which mainly targets the abdomen. This procedure uses high-intensity focused electromagnetic energy to contract abdominal muscles. A single EMSculpt session lasts about 20 minutes and provides results that are similar to doing thousands of sit-ups. The results of this cosmetic treatment lasts about six months.
Pain Level: The pain during an EMSculpt session depends on the intensity of the treatment, which the aesthetician has control over. Patients may feel a slight tugging on their abdomen during the procedure. Sore muscles, similar to what one can feel after exercising, is the most common side effect of EMSculpt.
What it is: These treatments deliver a consistent temperature, whether hot or cold, to target fat cells inside the body. One of the most common temperature-based treatments is CoolSculpting. It is an FDA-approved procedure that uses a patented technology called cryolipolysis. This involves freezing fat cells in the body so that it can break down and be eliminated.
CoolSculpting can be done on the abdomen, thighs, arms, love handles, and buttocks. It does not require any recovery time, and optimal results from this procedure are achieved in 1-3 months. This is an ideal procedure for healthy individuals who do not have any medical conditions.
Pain Level: During a CoolSculpting treatment, the patient may feel a mild tingling sensation on the skin that might be uncomfortable. Patients who are sensitive to cold temperatures may also experience some pain. Redness, bruising, numbness, and swelling of the treated site may also be experienced.
Though most body sculpting procedures do not cause a lot of pain, there are some options available to help make the treatment more comfortable. Here are some ways to minimize the pain during and after a body contouring procedure:
CoolSculpting is regarded as one of the most effective methods to remove fat and contour the body. It is a minimally invasive procedure that does not require any downtime. The treatment also yields long lasting results.
Here at the NJ Center of CoolSculpting, we offer safe and effective CoolSculpting treatments to help target any problem areas. We have a team of medical professionals you can consult with to help achieve your desired results.
Our team is dedicated to help you feel and look your best. For more information about the NJ Center of CoolSculpting and our other aesthetic services, you may give us a call and set an appointment with us.
Learn more: Are CoolSculpting Results Permanent?
