Everyone has a different body shape, and there's no reason to change it. That being said, there's also no shame in wanting to tone various parts of your body. Unfortunately, fat loss is not an easy feat and there are a lot of moving parts involved. "Along with diet, exercise, and any cosmetic treatments, there are managing motivation levels, building your willpower muscles, and overcoming hormonal imbalances and genetic predispositions, to name a few," says Mitchell Chasin, MD, a cosmetic physician and the founder and medical director of Reflections Center for Skin and Body in New Jersey.

"One of the topics we don't see enough conversation about is the different types of fat, and how your strategies for fat loss need to vary based on which kind of fat you're targeting," Chasin adds. We've got you covered! Below, we delve a little deeper into each type of fat and the best ways to keep them off, according to experts—for good.

Fluffy Fat

"Fluffy fat is soft and jiggles easily. Female hormones tell our bodies to accumulate this kind of subcutaneous [below the skin, above the muscle] fat much more readily than men, and it's typically found on women's stomachs, hips, thighs, and/or backs of the arms," says Chasin.

"Subcutaneous fat is responsible for insulation/warmth, cushioning/protection, and is an energy reserve," adds Brittney Parris, MS, RD, a registered dietitian at Culina Health.

This fat is necessary to have, but too much of it can bring health complications.
If you're looking for a surgical option…

"The best choice for a toned look, sans fluffy fat, is laser liposuction," recommends Chasin. "During laser liposuction, a laser liquefies the fat before it's suctioned out, making it easy to remove that layer of squishy fat and reveal your hard-won muscles."

Take note: Research shows that fat will return if lifestyle changes (like diet and exercise) are not made. The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery says that even though fat cells aren't formed again at your lipo location, the remaining fat cells in that area could expand or excess fat will be stored elsewhere.
If you're looking for a nonsurgical option…

"SculpSure, a noninvasive laser treatment, does an excellent job of permanently removing fluffy fat," Chasin says. "SculpSure works by heating fat cells just beyond their limit, causing them to die and be permanently removed by the body's natural metabolism."

The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery states that SculpSure is cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be used on the abdomen and flanks (side of your abs), but it can be used on other areas. Typically, results are noticeable after about six weeks, with end results arriving after 12 weeks.

If you're looking for a nonsurgical option…

"CoolSculpting works best for this type of fat," says Chasin. "Because fibrous fat tends to accumulate in rolls, CoolSculpting's unique contour applicator allows us to attack the roll of fat from all angles, for an effective treatment."

This procedure is not only safe, noninvasive, and comes with minimal side effects, but it's also effective. A 2019 study found that fat thickness was reduced by 20 percent after one treatment of cryolipolysis (CoolSculpting is a version of this).

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