With the festive season fast approaching, it’s time to start thinking about getting back into shape. But it can be hard work, trying to make sure you can fit into your favourite party outfit. You only have to look at Kerry Katona and Natalie Cassidy’s constant weight battles, to know that. And as much as I love the idea of having Mel B’s figure, I’m not so sure about the hard work that goes into getting it. Don’t get me wrong I know how to do it in theory eat the right foods, drink lots of water and exercise as much as you can, but the reality is I’m easily tempted by my favourite naughty foods. Having tried and got bored of my diet and exercise routine, I was open to a new way of shifting that extra weight on my problem areas. So when I herd about the new Laser Lipo treatment, a non evasive form of liposuction, I was more than willing to be a guinea pig.Laser Lipo works by targeting one problem area per session, using laser paddles which penetrate the skin, just deep enough to reach the stubborn layers of fat. The broken down fat is then passed through your lymphatic system to your liver and passed out of the body when you go to the loo. Nodes are also placed on the lymph notes within the groin, to help stimulate the lymphatic system, allowing the removal of the broken down fatty acids. The treatment lasts for 40 minutes in total, with the paddles being placed on different parts of the area being treated, for ten minutes at a time.
Now having any form of surgery is risky and can cause damaging side affects, but because Laser Lipo doesn’t affect any other areas such as blood vessels or nerves, there are none.
Firstly I had a consultation to discuss the treatment and what problem areas I’d like to be treated. I filled in a health questionnaire which is important as taking certain medications, or having any medical conditions may affect the result of the procedure. Once that’s all done a photo of the area is taken, I was measured, weighed and then I was ready for my treatment. How many sessions you need can depend on the individual, but you have to be realistic, you can’t go in looking like Dawn French and expect to come out with the figure of Victoria Beckham. After the treatment, you’re measured again and you can actually expect to lose inches straight away, I lost 8cm after two sessions, and then I spent 5 minutes on the power plates machine, which vibrates your whole body for 5 minutes. This helps to increase the circulation, helping the body to remove toxins. In terms of the pain factor, there isn’t one really; it just feels like there’s a hot water bottle on the treated area and it did sting a bit after, but this can depend on the individual.
To really get the benefits of the treatment you still have to follow a healthy eating plan, exercise and drink oodles of water. And just in case you’re thinking, no having the treatment is not an excuse to just go and have a pig out.
Overall I’m happy with results, the staff was helpful and friendly and I’d be quite happy to have the treatment again.
Tips & Advice
If you’re Afro Caribbean there is a chance of skin pigmentation, discolouring, where the beams have penetrated the skin. You can have a ten minute test, to see how much discolouring you will get and to see if you’re happy to proceed with the treatment. Any marks that appear are only temporary and can be treated by using vitamin E products.
I’d recommend any of the Palmers Coco Butter range. (www.chemistdirect.co.uk) They offer a variety of products that help with any marks or scars. I particular liked the Scar Serum (£9.25) because it contained Cocoa Butter, Vitamin E, Shark Liver Oil & Silicone and Allium Cepa, all key ingredients needed for reducing the appearance of scars.
Clinic Details
The New York Laser Clinic - : http://thenewyorklaserclinic.co.uk
Pricing: £187.50 per hour treatment
£375 per package of three treatments
£750 per package of eight treatments
