Non-Surgical Fat Reduction
Lipolysis treatments that target stubborn, localized fat
Non-surgical fat reduction, also known as lipolysis, targets stubborn, localized fat that resists diet and exercise, without surgery. At Dermapure, it is a way to refine and contour specific areas of the body, not a weight-loss solution. Every treatment begins with a personalized consultation with our team to confirm whether it suits your body, your goals and the area you would like to treat.
How Lipolysis Works
Non-surgical fat reduction acts on the fat cells in the subcutaneous layer, the pinchable fat just beneath the skin, not the deeper visceral fat around the organs. There are a few ways to act on these fat cells:
- Cold: the fat is cooled to around -11 °C, which triggers apoptosis, their natural, programmed death.
- Heat: the fat is warmed to roughly 42 to 47 °C, which also triggers apoptosis.
- An injectable: it uses deoxycholic acid, a molecule the body makes naturally to break down dietary fat. Injected into the fat, it dissolves the fat-cell membranes (a process called adipocytolysis), so the cells break apart.
Whichever method is used, the body then clears the affected cells over the following weeks through the lymphatic system and macrophages (the immune cells that remove debris). Results build gradually, often over 6 to 12 weeks, and since the treated cells are permanently reduced in number, a healthy lifestyle helps keep results lasting.
Cryolipolysis
Cryolipolysis, also known as fat freezing, uses controlled cooling delivered through an applicator to bring the targeted fat cells to around -11 °C. At this temperature, the fat cells undergo apoptosis, a natural, programmed form of cell death, while the surrounding skin is spared. The body then eliminates the treated cells naturally over the following weeks.
CoolSculpting
CoolSculpting is a cryolipolysis treatment that uses cooling applicators to target localized subcutaneous fat in areas such as the abdomen, flanks (love handles), thighs and under the chin. A non-invasive option for stubborn fat, it delivers results that develop gradually over several weeks, and a range of applicators allows the treatment to be adapted to different areas and body shapes.
Thermal Lipolysis
Thermal lipolysis uses controlled heat to raise the targeted fat cells to roughly 42 to 47 °C, which triggers apoptosis, their natural, programmed death. The body then clears them over the following weeks. Because the heat also reaches the dermis, these treatments can support some skin tightening at the same time.
Heat-Based Treatments
SculpSure
SculpSure is a laser lipolysis treatment that uses a 1060 nm laser, a Health Canada-approved device, to target and reduce subcutaneous fat in areas such as the abdomen, flanks, back and under the chin, with minimal downtime. It is a non-invasive option for stubborn, localized fat, with results developing over several weeks.
TruSculpt iD
TruSculpt iD is a radiofrequency body contouring treatment that uses monopolar RF energy to heat and reduce subcutaneous fat in areas such as the abdomen and flanks. Its hands-free, customizable approach treats the fat layer while warming the overlying skin, with minimal downtime.
Injection Lipolysis
Injection lipolysis uses an injectable, rather than a device, to act on a small, localized pocket of fat. It relies on a synthetic form of deoxycholic acid, the same molecule the body produces naturally to break down dietary fat. Once injected into the targeted fat, it breaks down the fat-cell membranes (a process called adipocytolysis), and the body clears the released material away through the lymphatic system over the following weeks.
Double Chin Injection
The double chin injection targets fullness under the chin (submental fullness). It is an injectable medical treatment administered in clinic by a physician or healthcare professional, with the number of sessions tailored to you during a personalized consultation.
Follow-up and Maintenance
Results from non-surgical fat reduction develop gradually as your body clears the treated fat cells, usually over 6 to 12 weeks. Depending on the area and your goals, more than one session may be recommended, and treatments can sometimes be combined or alternated within a broader plan. Because the treated cells do not return, results can be long-lasting; maintaining a stable weight with a balanced diet and regular activity helps preserve them. Your specialist will build a personalized plan with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my goal is more significant weight loss, not just contouring an area?
Non-surgical fat reduction is designed to refine specific areas, not to help you lose weight. If more significant weight loss is your goal, our team can discuss medically supervised weight-loss options with you, which may include GLP-1 medication prescribed and monitored by a physician or healthcare professional. During your consultation, they will review what is appropriate for your health, along with the possible benefits and possible side effects.
What are the side effects of non-surgical fat reduction?
Most side effects are mild and temporary and depend on the method. Cold-based treatments can cause temporary redness, swelling, bruising, tenderness and numbness, and rarely paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (a gradual enlargement of the treated fat). Heat-based treatments (radiofrequency and laser) can cause temporary warmth, redness or tenderness. The injectable treatment under the chin can cause temporary swelling, bruising or numbness at the injection site, and less commonly temporary difficulty swallowing or an uneven smile. Your specialist will review the side effects specific to your treatment.
Are there any lifestyle changes recommended after non-surgical fat reduction treatments?
Yes. Because the treated fat cells do not return, maintaining a stable weight helps keep your results, since the remaining cells can still enlarge with weight gain. A balanced diet, regular physical activity and good hydration all help support and preserve your results. These treatments work alongside a healthy lifestyle rather than replacing it.
How many sessions will I need, and when will I see results?
It depends on the treatment, the area and your goals. Some areas respond to a single session, while others benefit from a series. In all cases, results appear gradually as your body clears the treated fat cells, usually over 6 to 12 weeks. Your specialist will build a personalized plan with you.
Who is a good candidate for non-surgical fat reduction?
Good candidates are typically people close to their goal weight who have stubborn, localized fat that resists diet and exercise, are in good general health and have realistic expectations. A consultation is the best way to confirm whether one of these treatments is right for you and which area can be treated.
How does non-surgical fat reduction differ from surgical liposuction?
Liposuction is a surgical procedure that physically removes larger volumes of fat in a single session, under anesthesia and with a recovery period. Non-surgical fat reduction works differently: it uses cold or heat to act on the fat cells, which the body then clears gradually over several weeks, while an injectable option is available for the area under the chin. It generally addresses smaller, localized areas with little to no downtime, but it is not a replacement for liposuction when a larger reduction is the goal. Your specialist will help you understand which approach fits your goals.
Why Choose Dermapure?
At Dermapure, every fat reduction treatment is delivered by our trained team. Our experts keep their clinical expertise sharp through ongoing training and stay current with evolving best practices in body contouring, so they can guide you toward the approach that best fits your goals. And as the largest network of medical aesthetic clinics in Canada, we share knowledge and patient cases across our teams, so your plan draws on the strength of professionals across the country.
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