There are areas of the body —abdomen, waist, thighs or buttocks— where localised fat and cellulite resist diet and exercise no matter how consistent we are. Today, however, aesthetic medicine makes it possible to remove localised fat without surgery using techniques such as lipolaser and body mesotherapy. In this guide we explain how they work, what you can expect and how to choose the right treatment.
In this article
- What localised fat is and why it is so hard to remove
- Localised fat and cellulite: how they differ
- Lipolaser: removing localised fat without surgery
- Body mesotherapy against cellulite
- Lipolaser + mesotherapy: the combination that boosts results
- Treatable areas and the results you can expect
- Who it is for and contraindications
- How to maintain results in the long term
- When to consult aesthetic medicine in Palamós and Girona
- Frequently asked questions
Key takeaways
- Localised fat consists of fat deposits in specific areas that resist diet and exercise
- Lipolaser selectively destroys fat cells without surgery or hospital admission
- Body mesotherapy improves cellulite and circulation through microinjections
- Combining both techniques reduces the contour and improves skin quality
- It is not a weight-loss method but a way to reshape the body contour
- Results are maintained with healthy habits and require an individual medical assessment
What localised fat is and why it is so hard to remove
Localised fat is the build-up of adipose tissue in specific areas of the body —abdomen, waist, flanks, thighs, buttocks or arms— that tends to resist general weight loss. Even when we slim down with diet and exercise, these deposits can persist because they respond to hormonal, genetic and metabolic factors rather than to calorie intake alone.
The adipocytes (the cells that store fat) in these areas have a higher density of receptors that favour accumulation and make fat harder to mobilise. That is why many people at a healthy weight still have stubborn areas that do not respond to their efforts. This is where body aesthetic medicine treatments offer a specific, selective solution, targeting exactly the area we want to reshape.
Localised fat and cellulite: how they differ
Although they often appear together, localised fat and cellulite are not the same thing. Localised fat is a deposit of volume; cellulite is a change in the structure of the skin —the "orange-peel" appearance— caused by the way adipose tissue, collagen septa and circulation interact beneath the dermis.
Cellulite affects the majority of women to some degree, regardless of their weight, and has a significant hormonal and circulatory component. That is why a treatment that only reduces volume does not necessarily improve skin texture, and vice versa. Understanding this difference is key to choosing well: lipolaser acts on fat volume, while body mesotherapy works on cellulite and skin quality.
Lipolaser: removing localised fat without surgery
Lipolaser is a latest-generation aesthetic medicine technique that makes it possible to remove localised fat without surgery, with no hospital admission and minimal recovery. It is one of the most sought-after options for reshaping the body contour comfortably and progressively.
How lipolaser works
Lipolaser uses laser energy to act selectively on the adipocytes in the treated area. The controlled heat alters the membrane of the fat cells and triggers the release of their content, which is then eliminated naturally through the lymphatic system and metabolism. Unlike liposuction, it requires no surgical incisions or general anaesthesia.
How many sessions are needed and what recovery is like
The number of sessions depends on the area and on each patient's goal, but it is usually planned as a cycle of several spaced-out sessions. It is a comfortable, painless and short treatment that lets you return to your routine immediately. Results appear progressively over the following weeks, as the body eliminates the treated fat.
Body mesotherapy against cellulite
Body mesotherapy involves microinjections of lipolytic and draining substances directly into the affected tissue. It acts on cellulite, improves local circulation and promotes the drainage of retained fluids, achieving smoother and more even skin.
Unlike facial mesotherapy, which is used to rejuvenate and hydrate the skin of the face, body mesotherapy focuses on reducing the orange-peel appearance and complementing fat reduction. The active ingredients —which may include lipolytic agents, draining substances and vitamins— are applied at a shallow depth so they act exactly where needed. It is a progressive treatment: the best results are achieved with a personalised, consistent plan of sessions.
Lipolaser + mesotherapy: the combination that boosts results
The synergy between the two techniques is what delivers the best results. While lipolaser reduces the volume of localised fat, body mesotherapy improves cellulite, circulation and skin firmness. Combined, they manage to reduce the contour and refine skin quality at the same time, a double effect that neither achieves on its own.
At the aesthetic medicine service of Clínica Eupnea we design this combination in a personalised way according to each patient's needs, with the aim of slimming, reshaping and reducing the body contour comfortably, painlessly and durably.
Treatable areas and the results you can expect
Body treatments can be applied to the areas where stubborn fat and cellulite tend to accumulate:
- Abdomen and waist: to reduce the "spare tyre" and define the silhouette
- Thighs and inner leg: where cellulite is usually most visible
- Buttocks and "saddlebags": to reshape the contour
- Flanks and back: the typical "rolls"
- Arms: to slim their contour
With a suitable plan, many patients manage to reduce by a couple of sizes in the treated area. It is worth remembering, however, that this is about reshaping the contour, not losing weight: results are better as a complement to a healthy lifestyle.
Who it is for and contraindications
The ideal candidate is someone with a stable weight and deposits of localised fat or cellulite that do not respond to diet and exercise. It is not a treatment for obesity nor a substitute for medical weight loss.
As with any aesthetic medicine procedure, a prior medical assessment is essential. There are situations in which these treatments are not advised or require caution, such as pregnancy and breastfeeding, infections in the area, clotting disorders or certain chronic diseases. That is why the first step is always a consultation where the doctor assesses the medical history, expectations and the area to be treated before proposing a safe, personalised plan.
How to maintain results in the long term
The treatments remove fat selectively, but it is your habits that maintain the results. To consolidate and prolong the improvement in your contour, we recommend:
- Following a balanced Mediterranean diet, rich in vegetables, protein and healthy fats
- Keeping up the recommended weekly physical activity, combining aerobic and strength exercise
- Staying well hydrated to support drainage and circulation
- Avoiding tobacco and moderating alcohol
- Maintaining a stable weight so you do not regain fat in the treated areas
With these habits, the results of lipolaser and body mesotherapy last much longer and the body keeps a more defined silhouette.
When to consult aesthetic medicine in Palamós and Girona
If you have areas of localised fat or cellulite that do not improve despite diet and exercise, or if you want to reshape your body contour without going through the operating theatre, a professional consultation is worthwhile. At Clínica Eupnea, in Palamós and serving patients from across the Girona area and the Costa Brava, we assess your case and propose a personalised plan with lipolaser, body mesotherapy or a combination of both.
⚠️ Realistic expectations and safety
- It is not a weight-loss treatment nor a substitute for a healthy diet
- Results are progressive and vary depending on the person and the area
- It requires a prior medical assessment to rule out contraindications
- It must always be performed by qualified professionals with appropriate equipment
- The best results come from combining treatment with healthy habits
Frequently asked questions
No. Lipolaser is a comfortable and practically painless treatment; most patients only feel a mild sensation of warmth in the area. It requires no general anaesthesia or hospital admission and lets you return to your routine immediately.
It depends on the area and on each patient's goal. It is usually planned as a cycle of several spaced-out sessions; at the initial consultation the doctor assesses the area and proposes a plan with the estimated number of sessions.
The treated fat cells are eliminated and do not regenerate. However, the remaining cells can grow in size again if you gain weight, so keeping a stable weight with healthy habits is key to preserving the results.
Liposuction is surgery that removes fat mechanically under anaesthesia and requires recovery. Lipolaser is a non-surgical technique that destroys fat selectively without incisions or admission, with minimal recovery, indicated for moderate localised fat deposits.
Body mesotherapy markedly improves the appearance of cellulite and skin quality, but cellulite has a hormonal and structural component that makes it difficult to remove 100%. Results are maintained with maintenance sessions and healthy habits.
Yes. Depending on the case, several areas and techniques can be combined in a single plan. The doctor prioritises the areas according to your needs and designs a personalised protocol.
Yes, provided it is carried out by qualified professionals and after a medical assessment. There are contraindications such as pregnancy, breastfeeding or clotting disorders, which are ruled out at the prior consultation.
Want to remove localised fat and cellulite without surgery?
The aesthetic medicine team at Clínica Eupnea Palamós-Girona assesses your case and proposes a personalised plan with lipolaser and body mesotherapy.
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