12 Body Tightening & Laser Skin Tightening Myths Dispelled

Body contouring and laser skin tightening are growing in popularity. But there’s a lot of bad information out there on these procedures. Here the record is set straight on 12 body contouring and laser skin tightening myths:

1. CELLULITE CAN BE PERMANENTLY CURED

   Unfortunately, there is no permanent cure for cellulite. Fairly common among women, it owes mainly to genetics, lifestyle, and the hormone estrogen. Your best bet when it comes to battling it is to follow a healthy diet, maintain a healthy weight, and gain muscle.

2. NON-SURGICAL FAT REMOVAL DOESN’T WORK

   CoolSculpting and other body-sculpting procedures do in fact remove excess fat. Research shows that you can remove fat in specific areas with such procedures and that the results last. Just remember that diet and exercise are important in order to achieve optimal results from noninvasive body-contouring procedures.

3. EXTREME MAKEOVERS LIKE THOSE SEEN ON TV ARE SAFE

   It’s a total misconception that you can perform a total-body contouring procedure, breast augmentation and teeth whitening in a single go. This is neither safe nor recommended.With liposuction, fat doesn’t come back in the same areas unless you gain over 30 percent of your body weight after the procedure. Then you’ll actually develop new fat. If you want to maintain long-term results after a body-contouring procedure, you’ll need to change your lifestyle. With regular exercise and a healthy diet, you shouldn’t have to worry about losing any results achieved with body contouring procedures.

4. RF SKIN-TIGHTENING TREATMENTS & LASERS WILL REPLACE FACELIFTS IN THE FUTURE

   It all boils down to the results you’re trying to achieve and the condition your skin is in. Though traditional facelifts are sometimes needed to achieve optimal results, such a noninvasive alternative as Thermage works to significantly tighten and tone sagging skin, and offers results that last for up to 10 years. Be sure to consult your healthcare provider before undergoing any procedure.

5. FRACTIONAL LASER SKIN RESURFACING TIGHTENS SKIN NON-SURGICALLY

   Though fractional lasers aren’t skin-tightening devices, they can effectively correct sun damage, fine lines and wrinkles, discoloration and acne scars. A small percentage of patients may see some skin tightening, but this isn’t typical.

6. MESOTHERAPY IS A SAFE AND EFFECTIVE WAY OF LOSING WEIGHT

   The FDA hasn’t approved mesotherapy. It can be dangerous and quite uncomfortable, and it may yield few to no results. Mesotherapy involves multiple needle injections that deliver small amounts of herbal and vitamin compounds to the middle layer of skin. Touted as a minimally invasive procedure that treats everything from cellulite to sagging skin and excess weight, mesotherapy rests on claims that are completely unfounded.

7. EXERCISING IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF A WEIGHT-LOSS PROGRAM

   Though exercise helps to tone your body and burn calories, your daily diet determines how effectively you lose weight and maintain it. A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains will allow for slow, steady and healthy weight loss.

8. HERBAL DIET MEDICATIONS ARE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE FOR WEIGHT LOSS

   Unfortunately, these supplements aren’t regulated by the FDA, so you never really know what you’re getting. They can often contain stimulants, which may react adversely with other medications or your body.