Maintaining a defined figure is a concern for many people. Throughout our lives, genetics, environment, diet and even hormonal changes can contribute to fat accumulation and fluid retention in various areas of the body, such as the hips, thighs or arms.
Understanding how fat is formed, why it accumulates and how we can lose it to reduce body volume is key to understanding which treatments are most effective for this purpose.
How body volume is formed
Body volume is formed mainly due to the accumulation of subcutaneous fat, which is stored in the adipose tissue under the skin. Fluid retention may also contribute to this increase in body volume. And other factors such as diet, metabolism, level of physical activity and hormonal imbalances can contribute to fat and fluid accumulation in the body.
In order for us to lose body volume, we need the body to burn more calories than it consumes, which causes fat to be reduced. To achieve this, it is necessary to achieve a caloric deficit, through a combination of a healthy diet and regular physical exercise. When the body uses fat reserves as a source of energy, body volume begins to decrease gradually.
Reasons for reducing body volume
Beyond the goal of achieving a slimmer, more defined figure, excessive accumulation of body fat can increase the risk of developing health problems such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
Therefore, reducing body volume can contribute to better overall health. In certain cases, excess body volume can cause physical discomfort, such as joint pain or difficulty breathing.
However, it must be taken into account that most of the treatments dedicated to the reduction of body volume are not indicated for people with a lot of fat, since, as we will see in the following section, in these cases the operation of the equipment would not eliminate enough fat to be noticeable.
How does the body lose volume?
When treatments are applied to reduce body volume, a series of processes are triggered in the body that contribute to the desired results.
Some treatments focus on breaking down and eliminating unwanted fat cells by using ultrasound energy or injected substances to target fat cells in the deep layers of adipose tissue. These broken down fat cells are transported through the bloodstream to the tissues where they will be used as a source of energy or eliminated by the body. The lymphatic and circulatory systems play a crucial role in transporting and eliminating these wastes.
Other treatments work by stimulating the metabolism through heat, which can result in increased calorie burning.
On the other hand, some treatments can also stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, two key proteins for maintaining skin firmness and elasticity. This stimulation helps to improve the overall appearance of the skin after body volume reduction, thus preventing sagging.
Treatments to reduce body volume
Transdermal electroporation
Transdermal electroporation is able to deliver specific substances, such as enzymes, vitamins and drugs, directly into the deeper layers of the skin, allowing fat dissolution, improving blood circulation and stimulating the elimination of toxins.
The key when using electroporation is the choice of active ingredients, as it is these that will trigger fat removal in one way or another. It is a treatment indicated for the reduction of body volume in localized areas.
Cavitation
Cavitation is one of the most popular treatments for reducing body volume and improving overall appearance through the use of low-frequency ultrasonic waves. These waves create microbubbles in the adipose tissue, which explode and break up the fat cells, which are then eliminated by the lymphatic system.
It is a very effective treatment to reduce body volume in areas where fat is usually concentrated, such as the buttocks, thighs and lower abdomen.
High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU)
This treatment uses ultrasound waves to target the deep layers of fat in the body. Focused ultrasound selectively heats and destroys fat cells without damaging surrounding tissues. Subsequently, the body naturally eliminates fat cells, resulting in a decrease in body volume.
Radiofrequency
What radiofrequency does is to heat the skin using electromagnetic energy. This heat stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, which helps to tighten the skin and reduce the appearance of cellulite and sagging.
It is a treatment that does not act directly on fat, so it is usually used to improve the overall appearance and definition of the body or abdominal contour.
