Body Slimming Products and Treatments: What Actually Works

We’re all looking for the magic pill, potion or treatment that will make us lose unwanted fat, inches, and cellulite. There are a lot of options out there, but what actually works? We asked the experts.

Body slimming products

Products with Aminophylline

A drug that you can use if you have asthma is also available in cream form and can be rubbed on your legs and other areas. “It dries out the skin causing the fat cells to shrink. It does not kill the fat cells, but does shrink them, so it gives a slimming appearance,” says Dr. Steven Davis, board certified plastic surgeon at Davis Cosmetic Plastic Surgery in Cherry Hill, NJ.

Caffeine/Green Tea

These ingredients absorb moisture and pulls water out of fat cells. They also are not permanent and  when usage is stopped, the fat appearance will return.

Treatments

Liposuction

This is the easiest way to take fat and throw it in the garbage (or put it somewhere you’d prefer). “Liposuction has the ability to create a significant change with almost no scarring to show for it.  Liposuction is great for those isolated bulges that are significant enough to warrant something invasive,” says Dr. Scott Newman of the Advanced Plastic Surgery and Laser Center in New York City.

Less invasive options are now becoming popular as they attempt to do some of what liposuction can do using techniques that are non-surgical.  None of them are as effective as liposuction, but the fact that they are cheaper and much less invasive is often a good trade-off.

CoolSculpting

There are areas of the body that are very resistant to dieting and exercising. The problem is that one may lose weight, but the fat from the troubled area doesn’t go away.”With this non-invasive treatment, an applicator gets applied strategically to the target area you want to get rid of, causing the fat to become frozen and die. Over the 4-6 week period, the fat will get metabolized and then excreted out of your system. This four-to-six week process also allows skin ample time to readjust and retighten (so you aren’t left with excess skin),” says Dr. Davis.

“My patients have seen excellent results with coolsculpting. The procedure is an effective way to reduce fat without the risk and recovery time of surgical procedures. CoolSculpting targets fat cells and exposes them to extreme cold. This triggers a process of natural fat removal, which gradually reduces the thickness of the fat layer. The result is a visible reduction in fat bulges in the treated areas,” says Dr. Miguel Delgado.

Radio Frequency-Assistant Liposuction

It’s a little more invasive than CoolSculpting, but the results are immediate. “With this particular liposuction, the plastic surgeon will target a specific pocket of fat; opening the pocket to heat the area, which causes the skin on the back part of the skin to shrink and tighten. The fat is melted, and liposuctioned out with a syringe,” says Dr. Davis.