An expanding MARKET

The global non-invasive body sculpting market is expanding and high-tech devices are leading the charge

This growth is driven by a number of factors, including the increase in obesity worldwide (due to sedentary lifestyles and poor diet) and the development of new technology that offers a safe and effective alternative to surgical liposuction. These new technologies offer a cost-effective solution for patients and clinics. Non-surgical body sculpting accounts for 77% of the market and can be divided into four categories:

• Non-surgical fat reduction

• Skin tightening

• Muscle toning

• Cellulite

For non-surgical fat reduction, the leading technology is cryolipolysis, whereby the fat cells are cooled to between -8 and -10ºC, at which point they experience apoptosis and die, whilst the surrounding tissue recovers. Cryolipolysis claims to remove up to 30% of fat cells from a treatment area. Treatment is now well established to be safe and effective and the leading brands include Coolsculpting, Cooltech and CrioCuum. What differentiates the leading brands is the superior technology to consistently maintain the tissue at such low temperatures for a required period of treatment, thus delivering consistent and visible results safely.

Skin tightening is most effectively achieved by radiofrequency technology. There are many RF technologies on the market offering different approaches. To target fat and muscle or low water content tissue, resistive RF is most effective, while for targeting high water content tissue to stimulate collagen and elastin production, capacitative RF is best. The Zionic device from TermoSalud (Spain) and Cosmeditech (UK) is the latest RF technology that can target fat and muscle and tighten the skin by collagen and elastic stimulation. Its unique patented rotational heads deliver RF quickly and safely to achieve a fast temperature rise time without any side effects, with results seen from the first treatment.

Muscle-toning technology has seen significant development in recent years with the advent of new devices that can stimulate muscle contraction and new muscle fibre growth. By activating and remodelling the muscle tissue, it can improve tone and definition. The leading brands are EMSculpt and the new OrchestraMax from Cosmeditech.

When it comes to cellulite, a variety of treatment approaches are available to improve the appearance. However, to achieve visible results it is generally recommended to take a combination treatment approach, which can reduce fat, improve circulation and lymphatic drainage and weaken or destroy the fibrous bands binding or pressuring the fat. Shock wave therapy, such as the VMat Pro from Cosmeditech, has been shown to be effective in breaking down fibrous tissue and, combined with other fat reduction technologies, as well as improvement of lymphatic drainage and circulation, can achieve excellent results.

Choosing the best technology for each application can be challenging and as with most aesthetic procedures, a combination approach is key to achieving the best results. Cosmeditech, the UK’s leading supplier of non-invasive technologies, offers the widest portfolio of devices including cryolipolysis, radiofrequency, muscle stimulation and lymphatic drainage.