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More people are turning to non-surgical cosmetic treatments in an effort to slim and contour their bodies.

One procedure gaining popularity locally is cavitation; a treatment that uses ultrasound technology to target fat without surgery.

But experts say while the treatment may assist with body contouring, results still depend heavily on lifestyle habits.

Sharla Kistow has more in tonight's Your Best Self report.
Transcript
00:00The following is brought to you by L'Oreal, Maybelline, and Garnier.
00:11With the July-August vacation period approaching, many people are focusing on fitness,
00:17dieting, and body contouring ahead of summer travel plans. And from social media promotions
00:22to beauty clinics across Trinidad and Tobago, cavitation is becoming an increasingly popular
00:28cosmetic treatment for people seeking to reduce stubborn fat without surgery. Certified medical
00:34esthetician Tyrika Ross of Bodybox Saloon and Spa says the treatment uses low-frequency ultrasound
00:41waves to target fat beneath the skin. So ultrasonic cavitation uses ultrasound waves. It's at a low
00:50frequency, just as if you're going to get a ultrasound at a gynecologist. It's basically
00:55the same technology that's used at a lower frequency, specifically designed to basically
01:01break or penetrate the fat layer or the adipose tissue. So ultrasonic cavitation, what it does,
01:07it breaks up fat tissue or drains the fat cells. Ross says once the fat is broken down,
01:13it is naturally processed and removed by the body. So when we drain it, it goes into something called
01:18a lymphatic system. And when you do your cardio, it's going to basically metabolize through the liver
01:26and come out in your urine. So that's basically how it exits the body.
01:30Unlike surgical procedures such as liposuction, cavitation requires no incisions or recovery time.
01:37However, Ross says results vary from person to person and may depend on factors such as overall
01:43health and hormonal conditions. Some patients have hormonal imbalances. Some patients have medical
01:49constraints. So basically treatments would range from six to 12 sessions and there's multiple different
01:57treatments that we would use along with the cavitation. The treatment is commonly used on areas
02:02where fat tends to accumulate, including the stomach, arms, back and legs. All areas actually respond the best
02:10to arm. Specifically though, the most in demand area would be the stomach area that persons would
02:17ideally like to target, the midsection area, but it works well on the arms, on the legs, on the stomach,
02:23on the back, any way that there's a build up of fat cells. Ross stresses that cavitation is not a
02:30substitute for healthy eating and exercise. Anything fatty in terms of fast food is a no-no.
02:38We believe strongly in portion control, of course, but once you're trying to definitely reduce
02:44or have calorie deficit, we don't want you on any fatty fried foods at all. She's also urging people
02:51interested in cosmetic treatments to ensure procedures are carried out by trained and qualified
02:56practitioners. So there is a demand for certified persons because there are a lot of persons that are
03:04doing it, but I think you have to make sure to be trained effectively. I was trained in California,
03:10so I know exactly the constraints and the pros and cons. That's why I do a medical consult with all
03:16my
03:16customers before. Ross says one of the biggest misconceptions is that cavitation delivers instant results
03:24without effort. Just do one session and you'll lose all your fat tissue. It's a big misconception
03:30that they come with a concept that when you come and you get a cavitation session done,
03:36you do not have to put in any effort, and that's not true. I am Charlotte Kisto with tonight's Your
03:42Best Self.
03:45The Proceeding was brought to you by L'Oreal, Maybelline, and Garnier.
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