When it comes to having your questions answered regarding non-surgical body contouring procedures, there is no better person to turn to than an expert. Whether you are looking to achieve firmer skin, toned muscles, or a reduction in excess fat, Dr. Nkem Ugonabo, M.D., M.P.H., at UnionDerm is here to help you achieve the results you are seeking with a customized and effective treatment plan. Many of the treatments we offer for the face and neck, including XERF, Sofwave, and biostimulatory fillers, are often able to deliver similar results on various areas of the body, such as the arms, abdomen, and thighs.
Nkem Ugonabo, M.D., M.P.H., is a board-certified dermatologist who received her Bachelor of Arts and Human Sciences from Stanford University. She later went on to receive her Master of Public Health from Harvard and her M.D. degree from the University of Michigan. She was appointed chief resident during her final year of dermatology residency at NYU Medical Center. She underwent advanced fellowship training in cosmetic dermatology and lasers, making her an expert when it comes to cosmetic devices.
Dr. Ugonabo has also led and participated in several clinical trials focused on the advancement of body procedures, including: a study with Sofwave that helped secure FDA clearance for improvement in the appearance of cellulite; and an Accufit study that demonstrated the effectiveness of the device to treat the arms.
We collected questions regarding non-surgical body procedures offered at UnionDerm for Dr. Ugonabo to answer. Below are her insightful and informed answers.
What different types of body contouring treatments are available at UnionDerm?
Body contouring is a non-invasive intervention that can help you sculpt your ideal body. At UnionDerm, we offer a wide variety of body contouring treatments that span all categories of patient needs. If you are looking for a way to achieve fat reduction, we offer CoolSculpting, truSculpt, and Kybella. CoolSculpting uses controlled cooling to target and kill fat cells, specifically reducing fat bulges and stubborn fat cells in treated areas. This process leads to dead fat cells, which are naturally eliminated by the body, helping to reduce fat bulges and achieve a more contoured appearance. Kybella injections target fat cells and reduce fat cells in localized areas for effective fat reduction. For muscle toning and strengthening, we offer Accufit treatments. And for cellulite treatment, we offer radiofrequency (RF) microneedling, Sofwave, and Velashape. For skin tightening, we offer Sofwave, Ultherapy, Thermage, and RF microneedling.
How do I know which body contouring procedure is right for me?
A consultation with a board-certified dermatologist is the best first step to knowing which procedure is right for you. At your consultation, we can discuss not only your specific body concerns and skin concerns but also go through all the treatment options we have available. We will consider what results you are looking to achieve, how much downtime you are comfortable with, how many treatment sessions you will need, and the cost of treatment before we ultimately come up with a customized plan that works best for you.
How does temperature play a role in reducing fat with treatments like CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting utilizes a process called cryolipolysis, which means freezing fat cells in the treated area. As a result of the controlled cooling, fat cells begin to break down and are eventually eliminated by the body naturally, resulting in up to 20% fat reduction in the treated area. The procedure is quick, comfortable, and non-invasive. An applicator is placed on the treatment area, which suctions up the skin, cooling the fat cells, and numbing the treatment area. UnionDerm now offers CoolSculpting Elite treatments, with larger paddles and a curved applicator designed to better hug the body’s contours.
How do the results from muscle-building treatments, like Accufit, differ from those achieved with exercise alone?
Accufit is a muscle stimulation device that builds muscle by targeting muscle tissue via attachable electrodes on your desired treatment area (e.g., abdomen, glutes, arms, hamstrings). Similar to exercise, it builds and tones muscle via muscle contractions and uses waveforms to simulate exercises as it goes through several motions such as twists, holds, grips, and taps. Combining Accufit treatments with regular exercise produces the best results, with most patients reporting that they feel stronger and can lift more weight.
What are your favorite tightening and toning devices to combine to achieve the most comprehensive results? What are the benefits of combining these treatments?
Depending on your specific concern, we may recommend a combination of treatments to achieve the best results. For example, many patients want to tone an area of the body that might have both unwanted fat as well as skin laxity. In this case, a combination of fat reduction treatment in addition to a skin tightening treatment would be ideal to best address their concerns most effectively and lead to better outcomes. Some of my favorite devices to combine are XERF and Sofwave. XERF uses multifrequency radiofrequency energy to tighten the skin and its deeper supportive layers, while Sofwave uses ultrasound energy to stimulate new collagen and smooth the skin. I often pair these with biostimulatory fillers such as Sculptra or Radiesse, which rebuild collagen from within to improve skin quality and firmness in areas like the arms, abdomen, and thighs. For patients who also want to tone the underlying muscle, Accufit can be added to the plan. Because each treatment works at a different depth and through a different mechanism, combining them addresses laxity, texture, and volume at the same time for more comprehensive, natural-looking results. Ultimately, the consultation appointment will include a discussion of these combination treatments, when indicated.
What treatment options do you recommend specifically for neck contouring and tightening?
Treatment options for the neck vary depending on the specific concern that bothers you in that area. For skin laxity on the neck, I love ultrasound-based treatments such as Ultherapy or Sofwave to help tighten loose or sagging skin. For horizontal neck lines, I often use a combination of dermal filler and neurotoxin (e.g., Botox). This results in a smoother neck appearance without the disruption of lateral neck lines. For textured or “crepey” skin on the neck, we may opt for collagen-stimulating fillers such as Radiesse. Over time, these fillers will encourage the production of collagen and elastin, contributing to a firmer and more youthful appearance.
Schedule a Consultation
To learn more about non-surgical body procedures offered at UnionDerm, schedule a consultation with Dr. Ugonabo at our Union Square or Central Park office in Manhattan. During your consultation, you will have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have, as well as discuss your aesthetic goals and desires.
Frequently Asked Questions About Non-Surgical Body Procedures
How long does it take to see results from non-invasive body contouring treatments?
Results can vary depending on the treatment used and your unique body goals. For fat freezing procedures like CoolSculpting, which can be used to treat areas such as the double chin and outer thighs, you may start to see changes as early as 3 weeks, with full results developing over 2 to 3 months as the body naturally eliminates the targeted fat cells as dead fat cells. Treatments that stimulate collagen production, like Sofwave or RF microneedling, may take a few months to reveal tighter, firmer skin.
Are non-surgical fat reduction treatments permanent?
Yes, treatments such as CoolSculpting are designed to permanently destroy fat cells, including stubborn fat cells, in the treated areas. Once these subcutaneous fat cells are eliminated, the fat cells destroyed do not return. However, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important to avoid the expansion of remaining fat cells.
What areas of the body can be treated with body sculpting at UnionDerm?
We can target a variety of areas, including the abdomen, flanks, thighs, upper arms, arms, buttocks, and neck. Whether you want to tone muscle, reduce fat, or tighten skin, our customized body sculpting plans are designed to address your specific needs.
How do treatments like Sofwave and Thermage improve skin laxity without cosmetic surgery?
Sofwave and Thermage use ultrasound or radiofrequency energy and intense pulsed light (IPL) to safely heat the deeper layers of the skin. This thermal energy helps stimulate collagen production, which results in firmer, smoother skin over time, all without the need for cosmetic surgery or downtime.
Is there any downtime with non-invasive body contouring treatments?
One of the major benefits of non-invasive body contouring is minimal to no downtime. Most patients return to their normal activities immediately after treatment. Some may experience mild redness, swelling, or tenderness, but these effects typically resolve quickly.
Can non-surgical body contouring help with loose or excess skin after weight loss?
Yes, certain non-surgical body contouring treatments at UnionDerm are ideal for addressing mild to moderate excess skin following weight loss, especially after major weight loss or significant weight loss, which can affect skin elasticity. Technologies like Sofwave, Ultherapy, and Thermage can achieve skin tightening by stimulating collagen production, helping to improve firmness and elasticity without surgery.
What makes UnionDerm’s approach to body contouring technologies different?
At UnionDerm, we use the latest body contouring technologies to offer highly personalized treatment plans. Whether you’re looking for non-surgical body sculpting to tone muscles or non-surgical body contouring to reduce fat and tighten skin, our board-certified dermatologists ensure each treatment is tailored to your unique anatomy and goals with no surgery required.