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How Non-Surgical Fat Reduction Works

Clients often come in to WY seeking skin care advice and treatments for ageing skin, but did you know that we offer non-surgical fat reduction treatments as well? If you lead a healthy


lifestyle but still can’t seem to lose those small areas of stubborn fat, non-surgical fat reduction treatments may be able to help. Here, we demystify non-surgical fat reduction and explain how these treatments really work.

“Good” fat vs. “bad” fat

The human body contains two types of fat tissue: brown fat and white fat. Brown fat is what we typically think of as ‘good’ fat—it helps burn calories and regulate the metabolism. The so-called ‘bad’ fat in our bodies is white fat, where energy is stored. An excess of white fat is associated with obesity, diabetes and a number of other diseases.

People of all ages can suffer from an excess of ‘bad’ white fat and low levels of ‘good’ brown fat. However, the ageing process does exacerbate fat-related problems. As we age, our brown fat levels decrease, and it becomes more difficult for our bodies to burn calories. Slower metabolisms and lower calorie burn means that ageing people often see the effects of decreased brown fat in the form of weight gain—and even with a healthy diet and a regular exercise routine, this weight gain can be difficult to avoid.

Non-surgical fat reduction procedures, sometimes referred to as ‘fat freezing’, provide a solution for people facing stubborn areas of fat, whether as a result of ageing or simply as a result of body type. These kinds of treatments are particularly suited to people who work out and eat right but find they still have isolated areas of fat, such as the stomach or love handles. As a non-surgical alternative to liposuction, a reliable non-invasive fat reduction treatment allows you to achieve slimming and shaping effects without undergoing the risks or downtime involved with surgery.

Fat reduction treatments at WY

WY’s approach to non-invasive fat reduction is the Cooltherapy fat reduction treatment, in which controlled cold exposure is applied to specific pockets of fat via an applicator. Within the applicator, the skin is protected with an anti-freeze membrane.  As the temperature cools, the skin numbs and the fat cells gradually freeze. Once frozen, these cells rupture and are naturally processed and eliminated by the body.

To aid recovery we like to follow each Cooltherapy treatment with a form of mechanical massage called Pressotherapy. This treatment exerts a light pressure on the body which stimulates blood flow to boost circulation and to aid lymphatic drainage.

Overall, Cooltherapy with Pressotherapy takes about two hours and is typically comfortable and painless. Visible results can be seen within four to twelve weeks. Due to the targeted nature of Cooltherapy, a course of one to three treatments is usually required to deliver optimal results.

Of course, before we begin any type of treatment, we will meet with you for an initial consultation to decide if non-invasive fat reduction is the right treatment for you. Since Cooltherapy is most effective for people with stubborn pockets of fat, it could be that another approach is better for you specifically.

If this discussion of non-invasive fat reduction treatments has piqued your interest, book an appointment at WY to learn more. Our tailored approach to aesthetics can help you slim down and feel confident in your shape.

Waterhouse Young is one of London’s first medical aesthetic clinics, founded by renowned cosmetic surgeon, Norman Waterhouse – former President of the BAAPS. Based in the Harley Street medical district, WY contributes regularly to the media, from Vogue, Tatler, Vanity Fair and Elle to The Times. WY’s longstanding team offers advice and  non-surgical treatments to maintain optimum skin and overall health. 

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