Working out but fat pockets won’t budge: How this non-invasive body-contouring treatment targets them directly

It is a common challenge: You’ve worked hard to reach your ideal weight, sticking to a consistent exercise routine and maintaining a balanced diet. Yet, despite all that effort, certain areas – like the belly, thighs or upper arms – seem unaffected, with stubborn pockets of fat that just refuse to go away.

While building muscle could improve your overall body composition, some fat pockets may remain resistant to diet and exercise due to genetics, age or hormonal factors. This is where body-contouring treatments can complement your fitness journey.  

SkinLab The Medical Spa’s Lightfective Reborn is a treatment that uses LED light to gently heat and break down fat cells in areas of concern.

This treatment is carried out by trained therapists. On your first visit, you will be assessed and your body mass index (BMI) will be checked to see if you are suitable for the treatment. Your BMI should ideally be 30 or lower. 

Following that, the therapist will conduct a pre-treatment body fat analysis to determine the treatment areas. 

Applicators are then strapped to the treatment areas. Customers just need to lie down for about 30 minutes until the treatment is completed.

“The LED light, which is emitted at specific wavelengths, penetrates the skin and heats up fat cells. This process breaks down the fat cells in a process called apoptosis. The body then naturally metabolises the broken-down fat,” explains Ms Yeon Soo, training manager at SkinLab.

The main difference between Lightfective Reborn and other body contouring treatments is that it delivers even heat coverage and is distributed consistently throughout the entire treatment, Ms Soo explains. 

“With other laser technologies, sometimes the heat is unevenly distributed due to spot size, so some areas may not be treated as efficiently. 

“The device used in the Lightfective Reborn treatment also emits a higher temperature compared with other heat-based devices on the market and also covers the largest treatment area,” she adds.

Although the procedure is heat-based, the device used in the Lightfective Reborn treatment is equipped with proprietary cooling technology to ensure the customer’s comfort. “No numbing cream is needed and at most, one may feel slight heat or a pinching sensation,” says Ms Soo. 

A standard body-contouring treatment session typically lasts 60 minutes, including measurement and the preparatory steps involved in configuring the treatment applicators for the specific target areas.

The procedure can also be used to treat multiple areas simultaneously, such as the belly, thighs, back and arms, up to a maximum of four areas in one treatment session. 

Ms Soo recommends treating both arms and thighs together, the upper and lower abdomen, or the hips and thighs as a pair.

Ms Soo says a series of six to eight treatment sessions, three to four weeks apart, is usually recommended for optimal results. 

“The number of sessions varies depending on individual goals and the treatment area. Customers can usually see visible results after three sessions,” she adds. 

Downtime is also minimal as the treatment is non-invasive. However, expect some slight redness after treatment, which will last for about a day, as well as some soreness, which is expected to last for one to two weeks. This soreness occurs because the heat from the treatment gradually breaks down fat cells, which can cause some inflammation afterward.

Customers need to be diligent about aftercare. “Firmly and thoroughly massage the treated area five times a day, for five minutes each time, for five days,” Ms Soo says. 

“Our therapists will do the first massage after treatment so that clients will understand the sensation and technique. This is to ensure proper dispersal and elimination of the fat cells through the body’s natural metabolic processes,” she adds.

Customers can combine Lightfective ReBorn with other fat-targeting treatments such as 3rd Gen RF body contouring or the Fotona TightSculpting laser, offered at SkinLab’s sister facility, SL Aesthetic Clinic.

Dr Kelvin Chua, founder of SL Aesthetic Group, which oversees both SkinLab and SL Aesthetic Clinic, says the group is also working to introduce more innovative treatments such as Pure Impact which aims to help with muscle toning.