Is Fat Gender Bias?

Yesterday on the NewBeauty blog, they posted an article about the difference between men and women regarding where their fat “falls”. Here are their claims,

“It doesn’t take a doctor to see that men and women carry fat differently. Men tend to pack it on in the belly, whereas women will find fat accumulating in their hips, butt and thighs. But while the difference may be apparent, the reason hasn’t been.

Researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center recently analyzed fat genes in mice, who have a similar sex-based fat distribution pattern to humans. They found that male and female mice have very few fat genes in common. Therefore, male and female fat cells behave in completely different ways, giving way to dimorphic fat placement.

Women do have an advantage when it comes how where our fat tends to build up. Fat on the hips, thighs and butt is subcutaneous and therefore treatable with liposuction. However, belly fat in men is typically visceral and too deep to be treated with liposuction. The only way to reduce this kind of fat, which is considered a health risk, is with diet and exercise.”

So what are the connotations of these findings??

For us, the immediate concern is about cellulite. The fact that for us as women, our fat cells are subcutaneous means that they are living almost directly under the skin. And this friends, is why we have cellulite. In the subcutaneous region (or what have you), there are ‘chambers’ made of tissue.

Think of it almost like fishnet stockings… the empty spaces between the fibers would be your “chambers”. And then imagine if you maybe tried to push a slice of bread through those fibers. That’s cellulite. And since the gentlemen have more visceral fat, they in turn do not have visible cellulite.

Fortunately for us women, this is where the magic of SmoothShapes comes in.

With its dual wavelengths, SmoothShapes is working twofold. First, it is liquefying the adipose fat cells (or, “melting the bread”), then the other wave length is making those fibers (the fishnets) more malleable (or, stretching them out, so to say_ so that the now liquid fat cells can finally exit the chamber to ultimately be flushed out through your lymphatic system.

This also explains why women will need maintenance treatments after their initial SmoothShapes series. Because although we can essentially ‘repair the damage’, we cannot yet prevent (in its entirety) the formation of cellulite.

Perhaps the day will come, but for now an amazing fix is right here at our Spa in Denver.

So call or stop in today to learn more or to set up your complimentary consultation:

720.314.1965

SmoothShapes in Shape Magazine!

In the June 2010 issue of SHAPE Magazine, the focus of their “Bikini Body Special”

was, Your Best Ever Cellulite Busting Plan.

And although the direct focus of the article wasn’t on SmoothShapes, they did have some truly great advice for those looking for other solutions. We include our own Tips and Recommendations in every SmoothShapes’ client take-home packet, and these tips are great as well, with or without SmoothShapes:

Nix White Flour Foods: At least two studies have found that people who eat the most whole grains have less belly fat than those who eat fewer complex carbs (you can have cellulite around your middle, too). with the variety of whole-grain products on the store shelves today, it’s easier than ever to snub the refined stuff. The higher fiber content in whole-wheat bread and pasta keeps you feeling full longer, so you won’t have to contend with a rumbling belly.

Make Friends with Fat: It may sound counterintuitive, but trust us: To lose fat, you have to get over your fat phobia. Healthy fats, like nuts, seeds, avocado, and olive oil can actually help you lose weight (and cellulite).

“Cheat” the Right Way: The concept of a cheat day is a weight-loss staple, but it’s also the Achille’s heel of many eating plans. A day of eating whatever you want can add up to thousands (yes, thousands) of extra calories. It can also make it harder to get back on track the next day, when your brain has a chocolate cake hangover. Instead of splurging for an entire day, Lisa Young, Ph.D., R.D., the author of The Portion Teller Plan, recommends limiting yourself to just one cheat meal each weel. “Plan it, enjoy it, and as long as it happens just once a week you won’t break the caloric bank.”

Eat an Appetizer: Studies show that if you take the edge off hunger before lunch and dinner, you’ll eat less. Then, eat your main meal in the following order: veggies first (which should take up about half your plate), then the protein, the the whole-grain carbohydrates. “Having veggies first satisfies your stomach and brain,” explains Young. “Fiber-packed veggies are filling, and your eyes see a big portion, so your brain thinks you’re eating more too. By the time you get to the carbs- the danger zone for many people- you’ll be ready to stop.

Go Veggie One Day a Week: A recent study in the International Journal of Obesity found that people who are the most meat were about 27% more likely to be obese and 33% more likely to have abdominal obesity than people who ate the least amount of meat. They also consumed about 7– more calories per day, on average.

Lastly, but most certainly not least is their pick for Best In-Office Option: SmoothShapes!

They say: ” SmoothShapes ($2000-$3000 for eight sessions over four weeks) uses a laser and light energy to shrink enlarged fat cells and tighten skin, while a vacuum and rollers massage the body, increasing circulation.

Expert Take: “This FDA-approved treatment definitely has the science to back up its claims,” says Francesca Fusco, M.D.

Real Life Results: “It felt like getting a deep tissue massage, and while I did experience a little hickey-like bruising, the decrease in dents was noticeable after four weeks.” -Samantha, 30

Editors Note: While SHAPE Magazine says you will pay $2000-$3000 for 8 treatments, here at Refresh Laser Spa it is only $1,600 and that includes 10 treatments!

To learn more or to set up your complimentary consultation, call:

720.314.1965