Does non-surgical fat removal work? I can’t speak for all the many non invasive method of devices and treatments that are on the market but what I can say is that there are excellent, clinically proven non-surgical fat removal devices available and some that are, well, on the other end of that spectrum. I can, and will, speak for the treatments at Skin to Love and tell if they work or not (with evidence).
When considering body contouring treatments and non-surgical fat removal options, a good starting point is to research what clinics near you are offering and do some further research into those devices; you should soon get the feel for those that are legitimate, well-thought-of treatments and those that are cheap, knockoffs (excuse my bluntness). I’d then suggest going to have a body contouring consultation with a chosen clinic or two.
On to the treatments that we offer at our body contouring clinic. Firstly, know that non-surgical fat removal treatments can work in different ways, and one treatment may be more suitable for you than others; during a consultation, a practitioner should be able to guide you towards the best options for you upon assessment. But let’s not worry too much about that now because what we are looking at is do they work?
We offer both Desoface and Desobody fat-dissolving injections, but you may hear them simply being referred to as ‘Deso’. We use this treatment for the body as well as for the ‘double’ chin area.
Deso is a brand name for a product which contains an active ingredient called Sodium Deoxycholate, a synthetic form of something called Deoxycholate Acid, let’s call this D.A. for ease, that is naturally present within the human body.
D.A. is a bile acid which softens fat taken into the body so that it can be easily absorbed by your gut. When we apply the synthetic form of D.A. into the fatty layer of our skin via fat-dissolving injections this active ingredient dissolves the targeted fatty deposits and fat cells which are then safely removed from your body by your metabolic system.
Deso fat dissolving additionally contains equisetum and caffeine to work alongside the Sodium Deoxycholate to promote using of lipids (fats) to provide energy for the body and to decongest and drain the blood supply in treated area.
Deso fat dissolving treatments both empty and destroy the treated fat cells. Don’t just take my word for it, below are just a couple of clinical studies showing the efficacy of the treatment.
Fun facts: The synthetic form of D.A., Sodium Deoxycholate, has already been used for decades in many fields of medicine outside of Aesthetic Medicine.
In the States, the most common brand name of treatment they use Sodium Deoxycholate in is called Kybella, so you may see this in some of the clinical studies.
Here are a few clinical studies which discuss the efficacy of the Deso Fat Dissolving technology: LINK, LINK
Recently named Best Muscle Toner and Fat Reducer New Beauty Awards, the Emsculpt Neo is the latest, and greatest, device in the BTL Emsculpt range of non-invasive fat removal devices; Emsculpt being the original device.
Unlike other body sculpting devices, Emsculpt Neo is two treatments in one: removing fat and toning the underlying muscle at the same time, with clinical studies showing an average of 30% fat loss and a 25% increase in muscle in your treated areas.
Emsculpt Neo uses a combination of two technologies to achieve your results, HIFEM and Radio Frequency.
HIFEM stimulates targeted muscles with a magnetic field to perform 20,000 muscle contractions during the 30-minute Emsculpt Neo treatment. These ‘crunches’ are completely involuntary so don’t require any hard work from you, phew, and override your natural limitations by using 100% of your muscle fibres, rather than the 35% we can only ever use on our own.
This action results in quick, safe, and precise muscle growth and strength. As you can imagine, this drug-free, safe treatment is a favourite amongst professional athletes including Amir Khan, multiple NFL players, Olympians, and the US women’s football (soccer) team.
The Emsculpt Neo also includes Radio Frequency technology to reduce fat in the treatment area safely by bringing the fat cells to a specific temperature which brings about the death of those targeted cells, without damaging those surrounding them.
Radiofrequency technology is a unique aspect of the Neo and an upgrade from the original Emsculpt which only uses HIFEM technology to eliminate excess fat and cells. The HIFEM technology found in both Emsculpt and the Emsculpt Neo will cause some degeneration of cells via intense muscle movements, however, fat removal is supercharged with the Neo’s Radio Frequency use.
The Emsculpt technology has been used, not only by athletes but by celebrities to body contour and strengthens their bodies. These include JLo, Kim K, and Drew Barrymore (who also loves our Clear and Brilliant laser treatment for her skin).
Here are a few clinical studies which discuss the efficacy of the Emsculpt technology: LINK, LINK, LINK
The Cristal treatment by Deleo is one of our ‘go-to’ treatments when the concern is more ‘bulky’ pockets of fat; please don’t be offended by the term ‘bulky’ if your practitioner matches you with the Cristal treatment, this is most suitable for the majority of clients we see, and it doesn’t insinuate obesity. I’ve had Cristal myself on my ‘bulkier’ areas!
Cristal uses medical-grade cryolipolysis (freezing), to quickly cool targeted fat cells to cause their death, meaning that not only are the treated fat cells emptied they are also removed entirely from the body so they cannot refill again.
Once treated, your body safely and gradually removes the dead fat cells via your waste system, revealing your results over a 4-to-10-week period after your treatment.
Medical cryolipolysis has been used in Aesthetic Medicine for a long time and here are a few of the many studies on this non-surgical fat removal technology: LINK, LINK
Liposonix is our OG when it comes to body contouring and non-surgical fat removal. As with each of the previously mentioned treatments, Liposonix again uses an entirely different type of technology; HIFU.
HIFU stands for High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound. You may have heard of ‘ultrasound’ before, but this is focused on the depth of the fatty layer and, you guessed it, intense. What does this actually mean though? Well, in short, the HIFU energy destroys the unwanted fat cells you want to target during your Liposonix treatment, without damaging any surrounding tissue.
As with the other non-surgical fat removal treatments mentioned above, this treatment also lets your body gradually (and safely) remove the treated fat cells, revealing a more contoured figure.
Lipsonix has been used in Aesthetic Medicine for a long time and here are a few of the many studies on this non-surgical fat removal technology: LINK, LINK
As you can see, these non-surgical fat removal treatments have clinical evidence of their efficacy and safety, however, it can be very difficult to know which treatment is right for you and what you’d like to achieve. At our Hertfordshire clinic, we start your decision process with a full consultation and assessment of the area(s) you’re considering having treated. During this consultation, we will discuss the most appropriate treatment options with you so that you can make an informed choice about your treatment and if it’s something you’d like to pursue. You can contact us here to arrange a non-surgical fat removal consultation.
What is Non-Invasive Fat Removal?
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Let’s start at the very beginning. You may see non-surgical fat removal described as body scuplting, non-invasive fat removal, non-surgical weight loss, fat reduction procedures, silhouette shaping, or body shaping- but they’re talking about the same thing. They are referring to a professional treatment either using injections or a treatment device.
Does Non-Surgical Fat Reduction Work?
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The key to getting the best out of a body fat reduction treatment is a consultation. At our clinic, we will assess the area you would like to treat and match you with the most suitable treatment for your desires, the amount of fat in the area, the area you wish to be treated, and go through your medical history to ensure that the chosen body fat reduction treatment is a healthy lifestyle safe option for you.
We will also discuss your expectations of the treatment and give you an understanding of what you may be able to achieve with body fat reduction during your consultation. This is important because if you are expecting a 90% reduction in fat, but your treatment averages approximately an average 30% reduction, when you start seeing your results you may think the treatment hasn’t worked.
Your treatment may have worked beautifully… you may have exceeded the average fat reduction, but if you’re expectations and the type of results that non-surgical fat reduction offers don’t match, you’re probably going to be disappointed.
Be honest with your practitioner about what you want to achieve from the start; their goal is to get you good results, safely. If you want most of your fat removed then they may discuss a surgical procedure for fat reduction with you and/or the possibility of you having multiple treatment sessions, rather than just a single session, to accumulate more dramatic results.
With all that said, at Skin to Love we only ever onboard non-surgical fat reduction devices that use technology that is well-researched and have clinical studies evidencing their claims. Equally, we have enough experience to be able to match the right candidate with each of our devices.
What Are Subcutaneous Fat Cells?
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This is fat that sits under the skin rather than deep down around your organs. It’s found all over our bodies and we all have areas where we tend to ‘hold’ this type of fat more readily; thighs, bum, upper arms… for me, it’s my stomach and, as you’re reading this, I’m guessing that it’s probably the same for you.
Although visceral fat is deemed the ‘life-threatening fat’, excessive stubborn fat also has health implications; obesity, heart disease and diabetes are all risks.
How Do I Maintain Results?
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After you have chosen a treatment to destroy fat cells that wont budge, whether you have chosen a non-surgical liposuction treatment or a surgical liposuction treatment to eliminate fat cells, you will need to maintain a healthy diet. We prefer non-surgical liposuction as these non-invasive treatments allow you to resume normal activities immediately and are kinder on your body, when compared to traditional liposuction, even those advertised as ‘minimally invasive treatments’.
Disclaimer: This blog is not to be used for diagnostic purposes. We are all unique which means that our results, recovery and suitability for any type of treatment will vary. Always seek the advice of a professional should you have any health or cosmetic concerns or to discuss treatments specifically for you.
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Amazing service. The nurse, Emma, was professional and had a very warm and engaging manner. I was having a skin tag removed, every step was clearly explained and I felt comfortable throughout, I was called the next day, Sunday, to check everything was OK - it was. I would not hesitate to recommend.
Emma is a dermatologist at the top of her field. She performed the treatment and expertly removed the lesion from my leg. The histology report came in 10 days and Emma fully explained the results and outcomes in a calm and reassuring manner. Her expertise and knowledge is second to none and I would highly recommend her. It was such a relief to be able to see a dermatology specialist and to receive treatment straight away.
Had moles removed with Emma-Highly recommendFantastic at her jobCouldn’t be happier- she has changed my lifeThe clinic is beautiful and so professional
It's always a pleasure coming back for another Hydrafacial with Nikky. I appreciate the extra touch of being greeted by name even before checking in—it makes me feel very special as a customer. The Hydrafacials have truly improved my skin, making it smoother and healthier. The real results started to show after 3-4 sessions. I'll be back, as always, for more sessions. Thank you!
Response from the owner: What awesome feedback, thank you so much. You have really made our day. We are thrilled to hear how pleased you are with your HydraFacial experience and results with Nikki, as well as our aftercare service. Thank you very much for choosing us to look after you and your skin and we look forward to welcoming you back anytime you need us.
Natalia was amazing as always. I trust her with absolutely everything! She’s the best and all the staff at the Skin to Love are so lovely and friendly x
5* HydraFacial with Nikki at this clinic would recommend to everyone and 100% recommend going to Nikki!Thanks again for making my skin glow :)
Response from the owner: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We really appreciate you recommending us and Nikki, thank you. Enjoy your beautiful, glowing HydraFacial skin!
Natalia is super friendly and so knowledgeable. I follow her advice all the time and feel stronger and more beautiful. From HRT to facial aesthetics Natalia has guided me and it’s been a joy.
Response from the owner: Hello Tamsin,Thank you very much for your 5 star rating!We are really glad that you’re pleased with the service and treatment Nikki gave you.Really pleased to hear that you noticed some improvements immediately after your Regenlite and that you have a future plan!Thanks for taking the time to leave us a review, we’re very grateful.
Response from the owner: Thank you SO much Louise. What kind words. We’re thrilled you’re happy with our service and treatment. Thank you for your loyalty, it means the world.
Response from the owner: Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us Georgia, it’s really appreciated. We are delighted that you’re happy with our service and our team.
Jane is amazing. She listens and provides the best treatment in maintaing a natural fresher youthful appearance. Her skills are 2nd to none. Highly recommend. I travel all the way from North London as she really is the very best :)
Response from the owner: Thank you SO much for your kind words Wendy. We are so grateful that you’ve chosen our Clinic and your practitioner, Jane. It’s wonderful to hear that she’s made you feel heard and came up with a treatment plan that suits you, leaving you refreshed and natural looking. Thank you for your especially kind comments about her clinical skills. Thank you for travelling to see us, it’s truly appreciated and we’re honoured to look after you.
What a beautiful clinic! Skin to Love offers such a variety of treatments all carried out by extremely knowledgeable and experienced staff. The clinic environment is just gorgeous and carefully thought out to make you feel comfortable. The whole experience from walking into reception, to meeting the clinicians, to my ongoing plan fills me with confidence that I am in the best hands.
Response from the owner: Hannah, what lovely words. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experiences. You have made our day. We are absolutely delighted that you’re happy with our treatments, service, and team and that your feel confident that you’re in good hands. Thank you.
Jane was really friendly and made me feel at ease. She explained what treatment I needed and how this would be done and how long it would take. She took time to chat and find out a bit about me as a person which I appreciated.
Response from the owner: Thank you so very much for feeding back to us Diana. We are absolutely delighted that you had such a positive experience with us. Thank you for choosing us to help and advise.
I met Emma who did my treatment. She provided great customer service in explaining the process which has gone so well. All staff are warm and welcoming, making me feel comfortable throughout the process. I highly recommend anyone. Thank you Emma
Response from the owner: Thank you for taking your time to feedback on your experiences at our clinic with all the staff and in particular, Emma. How fantastic to hear that you were given great customer service and felt well informed, welcomed, and comfortable. Thank you so much for your kind recommendation Samuel, and for trusting us to care for you.
The consultant skilfully diagnosed my skin condition within seconds of the appointment starting. She was confident, professional and knowledgeable which instantly put my mind at rest. She explained what she was looking at throughout so I was fully informed and at ease. I would highly recommend her and will happily return myself for an annual check up
Response from the owner: Thank you for feeding back to us Gemma. We’re so glad that you have had such a positive experience with us; that you found your consultant skilful, confident, professional, and knowledgeable. It’s also wonderful that you felt comfortable and fully informed throughout your time with us. Thank you also for recommending us. We look forward to seeing you again.
Yesterday, I underwent a Hydrafacial treatment with Nikki at The Skin To Love Clinic, and it was truly a remarkable experience.Nikki's expertise in tailoring the treatment to my skin's needs was evident from the start. The Hydrafacial process left my skin feeling deeply cleansed, hydrated, and rejuvenated.The addition of the J Lo booster serum took the experience to another level. Its application left my skin feeling incredibly smooth and plump, with a noticeable glow that was noticed by my husband,too!Overall, my Hydrafacial experience with Nikki exceeded my expectations. It's clear that her skill and attention to detail make her an exceptional aesthetician at The Skin To Love Clinic.I will definitely be back for more!
Response from the owner: Thank you so much for your kind words and sharing your experience of the clinic, Nikki, and your Hydrafacial treatment. We’re delighted that your skin looked and felt great after the treatment… and that your husband thought so too! It’s wonderful to hear that your experience exceeded your expectations. Can’t wait to see you again soon!
Nikki was incredible. My milia extraction went smoothly and I felt at ease. Would thoroughly recommend
Response from the owner: Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us Jordan. We’re so pleased that you’re happy with the service and treatment provided by Nikki. Thank you SO much for recommending us, it’s wonderful to hear.
Excellent, friendly and felt at ease with treatment to remove mole from face. Highly recommend if looking for similar service.
Response from the owner: Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us feedback Joanne, it means a lot. We’re thrilled to hear that you thought our service was excellent and friendly. It’s also lovely to hear that you felt at ease having treatment with us. What a wonderful compliment recommending us to others looking for mole removal. Thank you for choosing us to look after you!
Friendly & very professional service. Clear explanation given before my treatment & for the after care.
Response from the owner: Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us Margaret. We’re delighted that you found our service friendly and professional and that you felt informed throughout your treatment.
Emma was fantastic.. really thorough and explained everything. I got a full body check of all my moles/skin tags/marks and left reassured. Highly recommend, quick, easy and extremely professional..five stars!
Response from the owner: Thank you so much for your lovely review Sasha, we’re really happy that you found our service to be worthy of 5 stars!We’re really pleased that you left reassured following your full body check. We’re equally thrilled that you found the service to be extremely professional, quick, and easy.
Stuart's caring and informative nature has made my journey to younger looking skin an exciting and pleasant experience. And my skin - just WOW!
Response from the owner: Wow! Thank you for your glowing review Claire. We are beyond grateful that you took the time to share your experience with us. It’s really lovely to hear how happy you are with the service and treatment Stuart has provided. Enjoy your beautiful skin!
I had an excellent Hydrafacial which was recommended to me by Jane. I had my treatment with Nikki, who was so friendly and made me feel comfortable from start to finish. She was so professional and gave me all the information about each step of the facial. She struck the perfect balance between getting to know me/building a rapport, and also giving me the chance to switch off and relax. It was a lovely treatment and I’m so grateful to Nikki for all her knowledge and skill. My skin felt amazing afterwards and I received so many compliments about my “glowing skin”! Thank you for making it such a personable experience. We also added on the Slimyonik treatment which was so lovely and relaxing. I was able to add this on last minute after being recommended by Kerri. Again, tailoring the treatment to me personally added so much to my overall experience. I’m so glad I added this to the treatment and would recommend the skin to love clinic to anyone. Thank you Nikki, Jane & Kerri.
Always a delight to visit. Natalia was fantastic as usual. I would highly recommend based on her very professional and welcoming approach. The company as a whole goes above and beyond to make you feel comfortable and well looked after.
Response from the owner: Thank you so much for your kind review Ross. It’s always a pleasure having you in the clinic and we very much appreciate your loyalty. We’re delighted that you find Natalia so professional and welcoming and that you found the entire team goes above and beyond to look after you-you have made our day.
10/10 - outstanding advice and treatment from Jane at Skin to Love. I had a burst capillary on my nose which I was covering for 2 years. With one consultation and one course of treatment Jane removed it. I should have consulted her sooner. Jane is now my ‘go to’ skin adviser. Quality service and exceptional value for money. Thank you
Emma was such an amazing and professional nurse. She immediately put me at ease and was very skilled and knowledgeable. Highly recommend
Response from the owner: Thank you so much for your kind words and five star feedback Tracy. We are absolutely delighted that you’ve had such a good experience with Emma and that you would highly recommend the service she provides. Thank you for choosing us to look after you.
Fabulous as always. Jane and the team are welcoming, professional and always put you at ease. I wouldn’t go anywhere else. Treatments are delivered with the utmost care. Honest advice always given. Absolutely recommend.
Response from the owner: Thank you Karen, it means a lot to receive your five star rating of Jane and all the team. We’re so happy that you feel so comfortable with us and that you’re in professional hands. It’s a joy to look after you.
Great experience every time :) Nikki is always so nice and informative and the vibe at the clinic is so lovely 💕
Response from the owner: Thank you so much. We really appreciate your feedback and are thrilled that you feel your experiences with us are worthy of 5 stars. We are so pleased to hear that you’ve had a great experience every time you’ve visited and that you’ve found Nikki nice and informative and that the clinic has a good vibe! We all really appreciate you taking the time to share your experiences.
Professional, caring and informative. I always feel in good hands here.
Response from the owner: Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us Natalie, we really appreciate your feedback. It’s so wonderful to hear that you feel in good hands with us and we’re delighted that you have found us to be professional, caring, and informative. Thank you again, Natalie!
Highly recommend the Skin to Love clinic , such a lovely relaxing atmosphere and so professional. I am very pleased with my treatment with Stuart and Jane both of whom took plenty of time to discuss my requirements, desired outcomes and exactly what to expect, including step by step explanation during treatment. Can’t wait to see the results emerging and beyond
Response from the owner: What a lovely review! Thank you for giving us feedback on your treatment results and the care you received from Jane. We’re really pleased you’re so happy with your results-enjoy!
Dr Emma was so patient and gentle during my procedure. She is very good at what she does and is so kind! The treatment was one big step to making me feel more confident with my appearance and it is reassuring that she will answer any and all questions I have.
Response from the owner: Thank you so much for your feedback Lara; we are thrilled to hear that you have found our service so helpful in boosting your confidence. This makes us so happy! It’s really wonderful to hear that you found your practitioner so patient and gentle during your procedure and that you found her competent and kind. We’re always here for you if you have any further questions. Thank you once again, Lara, for your kind words.
Response from the owner: Thank you so much for your feedback Julian. We’re so happy to hear that you had a very good experience and we would like to take the opportunity to thank you for choosing us to care for you.
Just been for my annual mole check! Emma is wonderful. Uber professional. Sensitive and never any pressure.
Response from the owner: Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experiences of our dermatology service Anthony. We are thrilled that you found your mole check to be professional and that you found Emma to be sensitive, without putting any pressure on you. Thank you for choosing us to look after you.
1st Consultation - Very relaxed, friendly and informative.
Response from the owner: Thank you for sharing your experience and for choosing us to consult with you Diane, it was a pleasure looking after you. We’re so pleased that you found your consultation informative, relaxed, and friendly.
Nicky and Natalia were excellent. Very knowledgable and professional!
Response from the owner: Thank you for sharing your experience with us Rob. We’re so pleased that you found both Nikki and Nurse Natalia knowledgeable and professional. Thanks for choosing us to look after you!