What Is Lipotherapy And What Is It For?

Although this technique can be confusing, lipotherapy does not seek to make the patient lose weight, but rather to reduce body fat levels. Let’s see what it is about in this article.

Lipotherapy is a treatment that was developed in the early 1980s in Italy. However, this technique has improved over time, so that today it is a viable option for reducing fat locally without resorting to surgery. How is it possible ?

Although it is supported by clinical studies and its effects have been studied, there is not much scientific literature on lipotherapy. Especially in the long term.

The existing studies published by Dermatologic Surgery clearly show that, depending on the components injected, this technique could give good results. However, it should be noted that further studies are still needed.

On the other hand, a study published by The European Journal of Aesthetic Medicine and Dermatology ensures that this method is effective and safe. In principle, no contraindication in terms of risk is reported. It is therefore a technique currently in use. However, it is always carried out by specialized doctors.

What does lipotherapy consist of?

In the first place, it is the professional who determines the exact area where the treatment will be applied. In addition, it is he who decides whether lipotherapy is appropriate for the patient.

This technique uses micro-injections of active ingredients that gradually release and dissolve fat. The idea is to reduce it to smaller, less complex substances. In this way, they can be dissolved by the natural mechanisms of the body. Then, they are gradually and naturally eliminated by the lymphatic system.

The goal of lipotherapy, however, is not to lose weight. It is rather a question of acting directly on the accumulations of fat that cannot be eliminated in any other way. After the injections have been applied, and always after the doctor’s approval, the patient should exercise and follow a balanced diet in order to facilitate the dissolution and elimination of fat.

How many lipotherapy sessions are needed?

The number of sessions depends on each patient. In addition, the areas to be treated and the amount of fat accumulated must be taken into account. However, on average, between three and five sessions are usually prescribed.

These factors but also the patient’s metabolic profile determine the time required to see the first aesthetic results. If the treatment affects large areas of the body, for example the lower abdomen, several sessions will be necessary. However, in smaller areas, such as the double chin, results are usually visible in the months following the session.

The side effects

The side effects are minimal compared to liposuction. However, there are. Here they are :

• Swelling and bruising. Indeed, during injections, a skin reaction may occur. Depending on the sensitivity of each patient, the bruises will be more or less important.
• Pains. Logically, the stings of the injections can cause pain. However, it is localized pain. It will generally be less intense during the following sessions.

In the case of women, experts recommend against doing the treatment right before or after menstruation. Indeed, it can create a greater feeling of discomfort.

So, is it a safe treatment?

Although its long-term effects are not yet fully understood as it is a relatively “new” process, lipotherapy is considered a safe cosmetic procedure. The products used contain a combination of enzymes, vitamins and very low doses of drugs.

Despite this, as with any treatment, allergic reactions to drugs are possible. For this reason, patients should inform the specialist if they have known allergies to other drugs or if they suffer from metabolic disorders.

What part of the body is treated with lipotherapy?

This aesthetic treatment is used to eliminate accumulated fat from the following areas of the body :

• Thighs and hips.
• The upper and lower abdomen.
• The arms and forearms.
• The back.
• Double chin and neck.
• Knees and legs.

Lipotherapy treatment can also help treat the following problems :

• Pseudogynecomastia. This is the enlargement of the mammary glands due to the accumulation of fat in obese men.
• Cellulite. Using this technique for cellulite treatment can be more troublesome. The discomfort is usually reduced by applying an anesthetic cream before the injections.
• The retraction of the skin.
• Deformation of the appearance of the skin after liposuction.

On some occasions, plastic surgeons also use lipotherapy to mobilize fat during liposuction.

When can you then resume normal activity?

Depending on the area of ​​the body being treated, patients usually resume normal activity immediately after the treatment session. Of course, this is something the professional carrying out the procedure will tell you.

However, when the treatment concerns the facial area, swelling may appear. In this case, therefore, the patient will probably have to stay home for three to four days. The normal time for pain and swelling is one week. However, in some cases the inflammation can last longer.