Even with warmer temperatures, sunny skies, and relaxing vacations on the agenda, the arrival of summer stirs up anything but excitement for many people for one simple reason– it requires showing more skin!
The thought of wearing less clothing and especially putting on a swimsuit brings anxiety to many people. Individual body insecurities and societal pressures, coupled with the fact that beach and swimsuit culture continues to trend toward “barely there” attire, can make summer anything but anticipated for many.
If you can relate and have waited a little too long to tighten things up in time for summer or just aren’t seeing the results you’d hoped from diet and exercise, it’s not too late to “cheat” your way to a better summer body. You don’t have to let swimsuit season give you anxiety. There are several non-surgical body contouring solutions that can help give you the summer-ready body you desire.
In this article, we will discuss the societal pressures that have us “in our heads” about our bodies and body confidence tips to overcome them. We will also chat about how swimsuit culture has changed over the years, making it even harder to remain body-positive in the summer. Last but not least, we will provide some nonsurgical body contouring procedures to consider if you want to improve your body to feel more confident this summer.
Society’s Pressure for a “Perfect” Summer Body
We’ve all had moments when we wished for a flatter stomach, thinner thighs, and firmer, dimple-free skin. Polls even show that one in three women would rather go to the dentist than try on a swimsuit!
In today’s society, there’s a higher pressure than ever to conform to the notion that you have to walk around with a “perfect bikini body” – not only in the summer but year-round. This standard is especially prevalent for women, but the pressure for perfection doesn’t discriminate. Men are also subject to negative body image perceptions and pressure from society.
It’s hard to escape these unrealistic expectations, and they can no doubt take a significant toll on self-esteem and mental well-being, particularly as “beach body” season inches closer.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to exercise and eat healthy to shed unwanted pounds. There is also nothing wrong with wanting to have cosmetic procedures such as Botox, dermal filler, nonsurgical body contouring, or even plastic surgery to further help you reach your desired aesthetics.
We are all for doing whatever makes YOU feel YOUR BEST. However, it’s really important that we talk about the dark side of pursuing aesthetic PERFECTION. There is a difference between wanting to make some tweaks that will help give you a confidence boost and being obsessive about your appearance.
Swimsuit Culture: It Doesn’t Help that Swimsuits Are Getting Smaller
When it comes to swimsuits (and summer attire in general), it seems that things are getting smaller and smaller each year. Even with the comeback of the one-piece, they certainly aren’t what they used to be when Marilyn Monroe wore them in the 50s.
One-piece swimsuits aren’t even considered “stylish” anymore unless they’re backless, cheeky, or full of stomach-exposing cut-outs. And it’s virtually impossible to find a two-piece that isn’t held together with a string up top and exposing all of our .. umm .. “assets” down below.
Just when you thought the hottest swimsuit and summer fashion trends couldn’t get any smaller, come the summer trend reports for 2024.
A few of the barely-there trends this summer include:
- String bikinis
- Swimsuits with lots of cut-outs
- Bandeau tops
- Crop tops
- Micro shorts and micro minis
- Sheer shirts
Thankfully, high-waisted bottoms and even sweats are also on the 2024 trend list! But less is more doesn’t seem to be going out of style anytime soon.
Of course, you should never pick a swimsuit or summer outfit based solely on trends. You should always choose what looks and feels best on your body. But that can be hard to do when the only thing on store shelves is what’s currently in style. This leads to even more pressure to have a summer-ready body.
Body Confidence Tips to Adopt Before Having a Body Contouring Procedure
We are all for having any procedure that makes you feel more confident. However, it is important to have an honest mental health check before you consider any form of body enhancement, including non-surgical body contouring.
First and foremost, ask yourself why you want to have a flatter stomach or smaller thighs. Is it because that is truly the body type that makes you happiest and most comfortable? Or is it because of societal pressure to look a certain way? You should never have any procedure done because someone else thinks or says you should.
Also, it’s important to understand that while everyone has moments of body insecurity, it is not healthy to have excessive or ongoing body shame. If you have deep-seated body insecurities, it is advised to speak with a therapist or support community before considering plastic surgery or body contouring. Otherwise, it could lead to increased aesthetic obsession, further disappointment, and deeper dissatisfaction with your body.
While body contouring treatments can certainly enhance physical appearance, which can provide a confidence boost, they cannot address underlying psychological issues or severe body dissatisfaction. It’s important to know that true confidence and self-worth stem from within and cannot be solely achieved through external alterations or enhancements.
Prioritizing body positivity and mental well-being before considering any form of body modification, including non-surgical contouring and plastic surgery, is key to ensuring a positive and fulfilling experience.
Here are some psychologist-approved tips to help combat negative body image:
- Focus on all the good things that your body can do.
- Develop a healthy relationship with food and exercise.
- Journal, write out and speak positive body affirmations.
- Look more at the PERSON in the mirror (not the outer shell.)
- Challenge negative thoughts and engage in positive body talk.
- Understand and accept that true happiness comes in all shapes and sizes.
- Cut back on social media (and unfollow accounts that bring about insecurities.)
- Remember that your true friends and family love you no matter your shape or size,
- Practice active acceptance (the act of simultaneously accepting how your body is right now while working on your body goals.)
Bottom line– it’s best to be in a healthy headspace before exploring any body enhancement procedure.
Benefits of Nonsurgical Body Sculpting
Plastic surgery procedures such as liposuction, breast augmentation, a breast lift, or even a mommy makeover are all excellent ways to drastically change the shape of your body. But don’t overlook the effectiveness of non-invasive, nonsurgical body contouring.
Nonsurgical body sculpting is a quick, effective, and safe way to contour your body that has several advantages over plastic surgery.
Here are some of the benefits of nonsurgical body sculpting:
No Downtime
Nonsurgical body contouring procedures require little to no downtime. They also don’t leave you with incisions or big scars. This means you can have the procedure done and be ready to hit the beach as soon as the following week or even the weekend after your treatment.
Non Invasive and Quick
Nonsurgical body contouring does not require general anesthesia or a hospital stay. You are typically in and out of the office in an hour or less.
Fast Results
Results are visible very quickly with most body contouring procedures. While many techniques provide gradual improvements and might require multiple sessions for optimal results, the effects of some nonsurgical body contouring options are relatively instant.
Minimal to No Side Effects
Unlike plastic surgery, there are little to no side effects reported from most nonsurgical body contouring procedures. You might have slight bruising, swelling, or tenderness for a day or two, but that is typically the extent of side effects from nonsurgical body contouring methods.
Subtle Results
You will notice a difference if you opt for nonsurgical body contouring. However, the results are less drastic than plastic surgery procedures. This means you can enjoy your new shape without anyone knowing you’ve had a little “assistance.”
Long Lasting
The effects of many body contouring procedures can last for as long as you maintain your ideal weight.
Nonsurgical Body Contouring Solutions for Summer
There are many safe, effective, nonsurgical body contouring procedures that will help you achieve the summer-ready body you desire.
Here is an in-depth look at the two most popular non-surgical body contouring options to consider:
BodyTite
BodyTite is a cutting-edge cosmetic procedure designed to simultaneously sculpt and contour your body by removing stubborn fat and tightening skin.
Using advanced radiofrequency-assisted liposuction (RFAL) technology, BodyTite provides really impressive results with minimal scarring and downtime.
What does BodyTite do?
BodyTite targets areas of the body where fat tends to accumulate, such as the stomach, thighs, arms, and love handles.
By liquefying and suctioning out excess fat while simultaneously stimulating collagen production, BodyTite can help you achieve a smoother, more toned appearance in as little as one session.
Who is BodyTite for?
BodyTite is best for those close to their target weight but struggle with localized pockets of fat that seem to be resistant to diet and exercise.
Whether you’re looking to snatch your silhouette or enhance your natural curves, BodyTite can help you achieve your summer-ready aesthetic goals.
What happens during the BodyTite procedure?
Before the procedure begins, your qualified BodyTite provider will administer a local anesthetic to ensure you don’t feel anything during the treatment. Then, using a tiny incision, a thin cannula equipped with radiofrequency energy is inserted beneath the skin.
The energy gently heats the targeted fat cells, causing them to liquefy while simultaneously tightening the surrounding tissue. Once the desired contour is achieved, excess fat is suctioned out, leaving behind smoother, more defined contours.
Recovery from BodyTite
Following the procedure, you may experience a little bit of swelling, bruising, and discomfort. This is typically mild and can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain medication. You might also be advised to wear a compression garment to minimize swelling and support the healing process.
Strenuous exercise should be avoided for a couple weeks to allow for optimal healing. Other than that, most patients can resume normal activities within a few days.
Results from BodyTite
The results of BodyTite are visible almost immediately and will continue to improve over the following weeks and months as the skin tightens and collagen production increases. With proper diet and exercise, the results of BodyTite can be long-lasting.
CoolSculpting®
CoolSculpting® is a non-invasive fat reduction treatment that uses controlled cooling technology to target and eliminate stubborn fat cells without surgery or downtime. It is FDA-cleared and clinically proven, providing a safe and effective solution for reducing stubborn fat and enhancing body contours.
What does CoolSculpting do?
CoolSculpting targets areas of the body where fat tends to accumulate, such as the abdomen, flanks, thighs, and double chin. During the treatment, a specialized applicator is placed on the targeted area, delivering precise cooling to freeze and destroy fat cells while leaving surrounding tissues unharmed. Over time, the body naturally eliminates the damaged fat cells, resulting in a slimmer, tighter, more sculpted appearance.
Who is CoolSculpting for?
CoolSculpting is good for those close to their ideal weight but struggle with stubborn pockets of fat that don’t seem to respond to diet and exercise. Whether you’re looking to slim down your waistline, eliminate love handles, or even reduce a double chin, CoolSculpting® is a great way to achieve your summer body goals without surgery or downtime.
What happens during the CoolSculpting procedure?
During the CoolSculpting procedure, a gel pad and applicator are applied to the targeted area. The applicator delivers controlled cooling to the fat cells beneath the skin, causing them to crystallize and die.
During the treatment session, which typically lasts about 35-60 minutes per area, you may experience sensations of cold, tingling, or slight pressure, but these usually subside as the area becomes numb.
Recovery from CoolSculpting
One of the biggest advantages of CoolSculpting is that there really isn’t any downtime. You can typically return to your normal activities immediately following treatment. Some patients may experience temporary redness, swelling, or bruising in the treated area, but these side effects are usually very mild and go away within a day or two.
Results from CoolSculpting
You probably won’t notice anything drastic the second you leave your session. Results from CoolSculpting are most noticeable in the weeks and months following treatment as the body naturally eliminates the destroyed fat cells. Most patients see a significant difference within just a few weeks following treatment, with optimal results around the 2-3 month mark.
With a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and a balanced diet, the results of CoolSculpting can last a long time.
Read “5 Benefits of CoolSculpting for Body Contouring” for more information on CoolSculpting.
Nonsurgical Body Contouring in Middle Tennessee
Body dissatisfaction is more common than it is not. This leads many to explore both surgical and non-surgical body contouring options. If you’ve hit the gym and tried eating healthier but still can’t seem to get rid of stubborn fat, nonsurgical body contouring is an excellent solution.
If you want to learn more about your summer-ready body contouring options in Middle Tennessee, book a complimentary consult at The Lett Center. At our practice, we’re all about enhancing your natural beauty, be this through an advanced plastic surgery or a nonsurgical body contouring technique.
Give us a call today to schedule your consultation or appointment. We’re dedicated to giving you results that make you feel summer-ready and confident in your appearance.
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