Introduction

Body contouring is the procedural optimization of definition, smoothness, and shape of the human physical body. It is aimed at changing the shapes of different body areas whereby body contouring after massive weight loss refers to a set of continuous procedures that reduce excessive skin and fat. The most common body areas for this practice are the upper arms, chest, torso, and thighs. In the past, body contouring methods involved the invasive methods such as liposuction. The invasive methods were mainly surgical and aimed at the removal of the skin or fat (Avci et al., 2013). Due to the safety concerns, there were developed non-invasive body contouring methods that allowed to shape the human body without any surgical intervention. It involves the use of technological approaches towards the reduction of both fat and body skin. The non-invasive body contouring methods include radio frequency method (RF), ultrasound method, and the cryolipolysis method among many others (Chang et al., 2014). The essay aims at discussing the non-invasive body contouring methods, how they work, their results, effectiveness, and the side effects that they may cause in the human body.

Brief Overview of the Non-Invasive Body Contouring Methods

The main non-invasive body contouring methods include the radio frequency, ultrasound, cryolipolysis, and laser therapy. Each of the abovementioned methods involves the technological approach towards human physique (Avci et al., 2013). They involve the use of high frequency rays to form body areas giving them the required body smoothness and shape.

Radio frequency method (RF) depends on high frequency radio waves that are controllably directed towards the area of concern for the desired results. It delivers a thermal stimulus to the superficial adipose tissue in order to enhance a normal body lipolysis metabolism.

Cryolipolysis is another non-invasive body contouring method that has been in the commercial field for the longest time. It has also been proven to be the best researched method whereby the fields of research regarding it have included vitro, animal models, and randomized controlled clinical trials on humans (Chang et al., 2014). Cryolipolysis is based on the fact that adipocytes are susceptible to cooling rather than other skin cells as its working principle. Therefore, cryolipolysis is widely accepted as the body contouring technology.

Ultrasound method of body contouring is another common non-invasive approach. It widely uses technology in body contouring in accordance with the processes and concepts that were discovered long ago (Krueger, Mai, Luebberding, & Sadick, 2014). It is based on the principle of high frequency sound waves functioning that is a clear indication of the concepts they apply. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is also a method of non-invasive body contouring (Avci et al., 2013). LLLT involves a non-thermal approach which is generally used to address different disorders requiring pain and inflammation reduction, stimulation of healing, and tissue regeneration in the body. LLLT is a widely used body contouring practice. It works based on the principle of light illumination of the human body with the aim of ensuring that it does not cause any body tissue damage (Jalian & Avram, 2012). As a result, LLLT has been proven to have no significant side effects on the human body. Therefore, all the non-invasive body contouring methods are more efficient in smoothening and shaping human physique without tampering with the body structural arrangement (Jesitus, 2012).

How the Non-Invasive Methods Work

Low-level laser therapy is a more practical body contouring method that aims at improving the shape of certain body areas that a patient wants to make appealing. The LLLT method focuses on the adipocytes tissues which are the sensitive body cells available for applying body contouring activity. In addition, the adipocyte cells are known to form transitory micropores which are visualized on SEM. The pores allow the release of iontracellular lipids from the adipocytes cells (Chang et al., 2014). Therefore, according to LLLT method, the lasers are focused on the adipocyte cells making them emit the excessive lipids in the cells through the micropores. Through this lipids elimination from the body, it can be shaped according to the required size (Jesitus, 2012). ZeronaLipoLaser is the device used to focus the laser on the human body; it has five rotating diode laser heads with each one emitting seventeen megawatts of 635 nm laser light. LLLT treatment is applied to the human body for two consecutive weeks with three sessions each week for the better effectiveness of the technique (Avci et al., 2013). Therefore, the LLLT is a procedural process that requires ample time for it to be successfully performed.

Cryolipolysis is a mechanism of body contouring that is based on the body cooling ability of the adipocytes cells. Since the adipocytes cells possess the intracellular lipids, they are at a better advantage of water release from the body. This explains why the adipocytes are responsible for cooling the body (Mulholland, Paul, & Chalfoun, 2011). The method implies the thermal exposure of the human body whereby the adipose tissue is subjected to the heat ranging from about forty three degrees to forty five degrees centigrade. In return, the body releases the excessive water that it may have. The effect of the process is felt after three days of the treatment, and full results are seen after fourteen days. This is because the procedures in the cryolipolysis take a long time and make the adipocytes surrounded by the histiocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and other molecular cells. These molecular cells cause adipocytes to slowly get rid of the excessive lipids.

The use of radio frequency method in the body contouring proves to be efficient bringing quick results. This is because radio frequency (RF) applies the high levels of energy through the high frequency of the rays that are involved in the process (Avci et al., 2013). To emit the high-energy rays on the human body, the doctors use the VelaSmooth and VelaShape devices. The RF rays are directed at the certain body area of concern whereby they disable or destroy the adipocyte cells. The adipocytes are destroyed or disabled by permanently damaging the cell membrane, coagulating the cell contents and releasing the adipocytes cells’ contents. After the adipocytes have been destroyed, the body can be shaped in accordance with the patient’s desire (Jalian & Avram, 2012). Radio frequency method applies the same working principle with the ultrasound method, because they rely on the body exposure to the high-energy rays.

Results of the Non-Invasive Methods

The results of the non-invasive body contouring are evident on the patient’s body. Each of the methods has its own specific benefits. For instance, the radio frequency method has appealing results as it leads to quick skin tightening. It also enables the elimination of skin rashes that are caused by the excessive fats in the adipose tissues. However, the RF method has some side effects as well.

Cryolipolysis has a high clinical efficacy. It has a more clinical result whereby one visits the body contouring professional several times to ensure the highest possible effectiveness of the method. It allows reducing body fats through the cooling effect. Once the adipocytes’ water is driven out, they become unstable and reduce in size (Chang et al., 2014). Therefore, the body takes the desired shape and cquires the required smoothness as a result of control of fats under the skin. On the other hand, LLLT method is declared to have more positive results. It gives a long-lasting body contouring results. For instance, it contributes to fat removal from the body. This is a long-term solution to the body shaping as it takes time before the fat accumulates again in the adipose tissues (Avci et al., 2013). It also leads to cellulite reduction whereby the layer of the cells’ walls is sufficiently reduced. As a result, the flow of the body fluids is made more efficient hence enhancing a better skin shaping.

Effectiveness of the Non-Invasive Methods

The effectiveness of the non-invasive body contouring methods is high ensuring that the body acquires the desired shape and appearance. These methods bring quick results as compared to the undertaking of physical exercises (Mulholland & Kreindel, 2012). They are also quick in comparison with the invasive body contouring methods that require surgical intervention to ensure body fitness. The non-invasive methods need no time for recovery from a surgery (Knobloch, Joest, & Vogt, 2010). Therefore, body fitness is achieved much quicker using the non-invasive body contouring methods hence proving their efficiency.

Side Effects of the Non-Invasive Methods

The non-invasive body contouring methods have proven to have chances of facing risks and side effects. This is because the exposure of the body tissues to the radiations can cause changes in the cells arrangement in the body (Jesitus, 2012). For instance, the radiations applied to the body may cause the risk of developing cancer as a side effect. Cancer develops in the body as a result of disorganization of body cells. In addition, heart disease can develop as a side effect of the methods due to the disorientation of blood flow in the body (Jalian & Avram, 2012). This makes it difficult for the heart to adjust to the disorientation hence triggering the development of heart diseases. However, among all the non-invasive body contouring methods, LLLT method has been found to have fewer side effects (Avci et al., 2013). Furthermore, it has been proven to be the safest body contouring method, because its results are long-lasting and more appealing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the non-invasive body contouring methods are the latest approaches in body contouring that have shown positive results. They boost the patients’ body fitness by ensuring that their body parts take the required shapes and the skin of the patients becomes smooth. On the other hand, they can also be used in beauty industry. However, their side effects overshadow the full effectiveness of the non-invasive body contouring methods. Therefore, there should be found solutions to address the side effects and thus ensure the full effectiveness of the discussed methods.