As much as we’d love to maintain a lean physique, Singapore’s cuisine is just too flavorful and savory that our waists get a little too thick for our liking. Of course, bigger isn’t less beautiful, but it undeniably affects our self-confidence. It limits us in the clothes we want to wear, especially at the beach.
Losing weight may seem easy, but some body types refuse to respond to certain diets and exercises. Plus, diet and exercise require commitment. Once you start it, you can’t stop it, or you’ll relapse and gain weight again. That means you have to be on a diet for the rest of your life if you want to be slim.
Health experts would say that health isn’t necessarily determined by weight, so depriving yourself of the foods you like doesn’t do much. It might even lead you to depression or an eating disorder, which is worse. But if you really want to lose weight without complicating your relationship with food, what else can you do?
Getting a cosmetic procedure done is the fastest way to get slimmer. And they’re becoming more common in the country. As of 2019, 9% of Singaporeans have undergone cosmetic procedures, and nearly half of the population were considering it. Body fat reduction was among the most popular procedures being done.
So without further ado, here are the different cosmetic procedures that trim down fat:
1. CoolSculpting
If you don’t want to get under the knife, CoolSculpting might be right for you. It’s a fat-freezing treatment in Singapore and other parts of the world that’s non-invasive and effective.
CoolSculpting kills fat cells using a vacuum-like device with freezing temperatures. The therapist vacuums the skin above the area of fatty tissue, sending cold temperatures straight into the fat cells. It may cause numbness and a cooling sensation underneath the surface of the skin, but no damage will be done. Some soreness at the site of CoolScupting may follow, but it’s just similar to the muscle soreness felt after an intense workout.
After the procedure, it may take around four to six months for peak results to show. During that period, the fat in the treated area will decrease by 20%, on average.
However, though CoolSculpting has a high success rate, it doesn’t result in the complete removal of fat, as it only targets some areas. Hence, this is a good procedure if you’re only dealing with some stubborn fat in your body, usually in the arms, thighs, and lower belly. Lifestyle factors may also play a role in its effectiveness. If you continue to eat unhealthy food, the results may not be as great as you expect.
2. Mesotherapy
Another non-invasive procedure, mesotherapy injects vitamins, enzymes, hormones, and plant extracts to tighten and rejuvenate skin, as well as remove fat. It can also reduce cellulites, lighten pigmented skin, and treat alopecia.
Before the procedure, a numbing cream may or may not be applied to the areas that will be injected. Afterward, the therapist will administer a series of injections using a fine, special short needle. Some clinics use a mechanical gun instead of a syringe because it can deliver a series of injections in a row.
Like CoolSculpting, mesotherapy doesn’t result in total fat loss, and you’ll need several sessions to see the results. However, its success rate isn’t as high as CoolSculpting’s, so keep that in mind before getting the procedure.
3. Muscle Enhancement
The more lean muscle you have, the faster you’d shed fat, and that’s what muscle enhancement lets your body do. It usually targets the abs, using electromagnetic energy to make the muscles in its contract, as they would during core exercises.
The session is quick, only around 20 minutes, but moderately uncomfortable. The sensation you may get afterward is akin to that of doing an unbelievable number of sit-ups. So expect some serious soreness from this procedure.
5. Liposuction
Liposuction might be the best procedure for you if you’d rather not go on multiple sessions, with no guarantee of noticeable results. Singaporean doctors recommend liposuction for people of average weight with firm, elastic skin and pockets of stubborn fat tissues. The procedure isn’t fit for obese people, because liposuction doesn’t sculpt areas of disproportion. Though it removes excess fat, it isn’t actually a weight reduction tool for the severely obese. Diet, exercise, or bariatric surgery are the recommended procedures for them.
Though these procedures can effectively trim down fat, the results they’d give will be a thousand better if accompanied by diet and exercise. But since your stubborn fat has already been removed, you may no longer do as many reps of a movement, and may even enjoy a second serving of a meal without feeling guilty.
