Even if you are comfortable with your weight, you might still notice areas that do not respond to diet or exercise. Small pockets of fat, loose skin, or lack of tone can be frustrating, especially when they do not improve despite consistent effort. Non-surgical body contouring treatments offer a way to address these concerns without surgery.
At Bellaire Dermatology in Houston, we use a range of non-invasive technologies to help with fat reduction, skin tightening, and body sculpting. Each device that we use targets different concerns, depending on what you want to address. Whether you’re looking to smooth, firm, or slim specific areas, we offer the tools to support those goals.
What Is Body Contouring?
Body contouring refers to non-surgical treatments that can help reduce stubborn fat, tighten skin, and improve the overall shape of targeted areas. These treatments use various technologies like radiofrequency, ultrasound, or cryolipolysis to affect fat cells or stimulate collagen. Body contouring can be used after weight loss when you are at or near your goal weight, and it can be perfect for the most frustrating areas like the abdomen or chin.
What Body Contouring Can Treat
Stubborn Fat
Even with consistent diet and exercise, some areas tend to hold on to fat longer than others. We often treat the abdomen, flanks, thighs, arms, and under the chin for this reason. Non-surgical body contouring treatments can target and shrink fat cells in these areas to help refine your silhouette. You will not lose weight from these treatments, but you can expect a more sculpted appearance in zones that previously resisted change.
Loose or Sagging Skin
Skin can lose elasticity with age, weight fluctuations, or after pregnancy. When the skin does not bounce back, it can create a deflated or crepey look in certain areas. We use skin-tightening technologies that stimulate collagen to firm and lift the treated zone. This approach works well for mild to moderate laxity.
Lack of Muscle Tone
Even if you stay active, some muscles are difficult to tone. You might notice this in the abdomen or buttocks, especially if your workouts have plateaued. We offer treatments that use electromagnetic stimulation to activate muscle contractions far more efficiently than voluntary exercise. These treatments can build muscle tone and definition while you lie comfortably during each session.
Common Treatment Areas for Body Contouring
- Abdomen: In this area, we can target small pockets of fat, tighten mild laxity, or stimulate muscle contraction to improve overall tone.
- Flanks: The flanks, sometimes called “love handles,” tend to hold on to fat that resists most forms of exercise. We use body contouring tools to slim and define the waistline.
- Thighs: Inner and outer thighs may respond differently to fat loss, leaving uneven contours or persistent bulges. We treat each side individually to help reduce volume and create a more balanced, streamlined shape.
- Arms: Upper arms can develop a soft or sagging appearance, especially when skin becomes thinner with age. Treatments that tighten skin or build muscle can give the arms a firmer look.
- Double Chin: Even thin individuals can struggle with a double chin. Body contouring treatments can reduce the fat in this area and tighten any jowling that is present along the jawline.
- Buttocks: When the glutes lack tone or shape, electromagnetic stimulation can activate deep muscle contractions to make the buttocks firm. Some patients also want to improve the transition between the buttocks and the upper thighs, which we can address with targeted contouring.
Is Body Contouring a Weight Loss Option?
Body contouring does not replace weight loss. These treatments work best for patients who are already close to their goal weight but want to target specific areas. We do not use body contouring to treat obesity or as a substitute for diet and exercise. If you still have significant weight that you want to lose, we typically recommend focusing on that first before considering contouring treatments.
What Are the Benefits of Body Contouring?
Body contouring is unique because it:
- Treats stubborn fat without surgery
- Improves skin firmness in mild to moderate cases of laxity
- Enhances muscle tone in hard-to-target areas
- Addresses multiple zones during one session, depending on the device
- Allows you to resume normal activities quickly after treatment
- Helps you achieve gradual, natural-looking changes without drastic intervention
Before and After Body Contouring
Types of Body Contouring Treatment
CoolSculpting® Elite
CoolSculpting Elite uses cold temperatures to freeze and damage fat cells, which the body clears through its natural metabolic process. It is cleared for nine different areas, including the abdomen, flanks, thighs, upper arms, and under the chin. Most patients feel slight pressure and cold during the session, but treatment does not require anesthesia or downtime. Results appear gradually as the fat cells break down and clear from the body. This type of body contouring works best for reducing soft, pinchable fat in well-defined zones.
CoolTone®
CoolTone uses magnetic muscle stimulation to contract muscle groups deeply and efficiently. Each session causes thousands of supramaximal contractions, which help strengthen, tone, and firm the muscle tissue. We commonly use CoolTone on the abdomen, buttocks, and thighs to improve definition and boost muscle performance. You might feel sore the day after your treatment, similar to how you would feel after an intense workout. CoolTone works well for patients who already stay active but want to increase visible muscle tone in specific areas.
Morpheus8
Morpheus8 combines microneedling with radiofrequency energy to treat fat and skin quality in the same session. Tiny needles penetrate the skin to deliver heat below the surface, which stimulates collagen and helps remodel the tissue. We often use it for skin tightening along the jawline, under the chin, on the upper arms, and across the abdomen, especially when laxity is a primary concern. Treatment can also improve texture and firmness in areas with crepey skin. Morpheus8 offers a good option for patients who want subtle fat reduction and visible skin improvement without surgery.
What to Expect During Your Treatment
CoolSculpting Elite
We begin by marking the area you want to treat and placing a gel pad to protect the skin. The applicator draws the tissue into a cup using gentle suction, then delivers controlled cooling to the fat layer beneath the skin. You might feel pulling, cold, or tingling at first, but the area quickly numbs. You can relax, read, or use your phone during the session. Once we remove the applicator, we massage the area to help break up the treated fat cells.
CoolTone
During a CoolTone session, we place paddles directly on the skin over the target muscle group. The device uses magnetic stimulation to cause intense, rapid muscle contractions that go beyond what you can achieve with a typical workout. Most patients describe it as strange or intense at first, but it is not painful and becomes easier to tolerate as the session progresses. Each treatment takes about 30 minutes.
Morpheus8
Before we begin, we apply a topical numbing cream to reduce discomfort. Once the skin is numb, we use a handheld device with tiny needles that puncture the surface and deliver radiofrequency heat into the deeper layers. You may feel some warmth or pressure, but treatment is generally well tolerated. We adjust the depth and intensity based on your goals and the area we are treating. After the session, your skin may look red or feel slightly swollen, but these effects usually fade within a few days.
When to Expect Body Contouring Results
Results from non-invasive body contouring develop gradually. Fat reduction treatments like CoolSculpting Elite typically take a few weeks to show visible changes as the body clears damaged fat cells. Muscle stimulation with CoolTone often creates a firmer, tighter feel after just a few sessions, with continued improvement as you complete the full series. Morpheus8 works gradually, especially for skin tightening, since collagen remodeling takes time. Most patients see the best results a few months after their final session.
How to Maintain Your Body Contouring Results
Your results will last longer when you keep a stable weight and continue regular physical activity. Fat cells removed during treatment do not come back, but remaining fat cells can still expand with weight gain. Muscle tone from CoolTone will fade if you stop maintaining it, just like with regular exercise. Skin tightening results last longer when you avoid sun damage and follow a consistent skincare routine. We may also recommend occasional maintenance sessions depending on the treatment.
FAQs About Body Contouring in Houston
How Many Body Contouring Sessions Should I Schedule?
The number of treatments depends on your goals, the area we are treating, and the type of technology we use. Some patients need just one CoolSculpting Elite session per area, while others benefit from a second round for additional fat reduction. CoolTone usually works best as a series of four to six sessions spaced over a few weeks. Morpheus8 often requires two to three sessions to see optimal skin tightening and texture improvement. We build a plan around your body and expectations during your consultation. Non-surgical body contouring is flexible and allows us to customize your treatment path.
Can I Combine Treatments?
You do not need to choose just one method if your goals involve fat, skin, and muscle. Combining different technologies often creates better results, especially if you want to address multiple concerns at once. For example, you might use CoolSculpting Elite to reduce fat and CoolTone to improve muscle tone in the same area. Some patients choose to add Morpheus8 for skin tightening if loose skin affects the final outcome. We space treatments appropriately to avoid irritation and help your body respond well.
Are There Any Side Effects?
Each treatment has potential side effects, but most are mild and temporary. CoolSculpting Elite can cause swelling, bruising, tingling, or numbness in the treated area that fades within a few days or weeks. CoolTone may lead to soreness that feels like you completed a tough workout. Morpheus8 can create redness, swelling, or tiny scabs that usually resolve within a few days. We will always review what to expect before your session and give you aftercare instructions to keep you comfortable.
About Our Body Contouring Services in Houston
At Bellaire Dermatology, we bring over 27 years of experience to every cosmetic and medical treatment we offer, including non-surgical body contouring. Our approach focuses on comfort, safety, and natural-looking results, using technologies that help refine your shape without surgery.
Located in Bellaire near the Galleria, our office provides a welcoming, patient-centered environment where you can feel confident in your care. We stay current with the latest advancements in dermatology so we can offer options that are both effective and customized to your body.
Tighten, Tone, and Trim With Body Contouring in Houston, TX
Non-surgical body contouring can help improve shape, tone, and definition in areas that resist diet and exercise. At Bellaire Dermatology, we offer multiple treatment options. Patients in Houston, Bellaire, Sugarland, and more can choose from advanced technologies like CoolSculpting Elite, CoolTone, and Morpheus8. To schedule a consultation, call (713) 661-4383 or contact us through the online form.
