Goodness knows there are countless slimming treatments and supplements available today in Singapore, and while we all know that variety is the spice of life, I’m afraid that our current industry –great clinics and practitioners notwithstanding– is also home to many questionable characters and technologies.

In September 2016¹, an 85-year-old woman settled a lawsuit against a popular slimming centre, in which she sought a full refund and damages over a $400,000 weight-loss package. On top of being ineffective, her treatment had caused her diarrhoea, a skin rash, and pus discharge. 

Just last year, a woman was justly jailed² for cheating victims of over $630,000 worth of beauty packages.  

It’s hardly rocket science: Many slimming treatments and crash diets offered today are scams, and even if they seem to produce initial results, often, weight loss is only temporary and will bounce back.

One of the reasons for this is that too many “professionals” are not upfront about what type of weight is lost in their “guaranteed” results. What clients really want is fat loss, as water loss is hardly permanent, and muscle loss can actually be detrimental to health in the long term.

The cold, hard, truth: Losing weight is hard work

The truth is that losing weight is hard work, and requires a multi-pronged approach. I’ve said this before to my dearest clients, and I will say this again: Diet, lifestyle, exercise, and proper fat removal treatments are all crucial in achieving the body you desire.

I know how hard it is for many to commit to the time and effort required to lose weight consistently. One aspect of eating well for a better body is to be aware of the amount of calories you’re putting in your body. And this is not an easy task – as studies³ go, even healthcare professionals get their calorie counts terribly wrong.

With the above said, weight loss can be an uplifting and life changing journey, if you’re willing to embark on it. As a health and beauty professional, I always remind my clients that the work starts with them FIRST. Fat removal treatments are not the be-all and end-all of achieving the body you desire – but they can be an integral part of the process for sure.

After weight loss, the body might look worse

We can’t spot-reduce fat, so even after dropping some overall body fat, some people may find that certain areas such as their belly, armpit, or thighs remain largely unchanged. Worse still, others who have achieved significant progress losing large amounts of body fat might become skinny fat and left with excess skin. 

You also want to make sure you’re losing fat and not weight just for the sake of it – weight loss from water weight does not count! 

Read to find out the difference between fat loss vs weight loss. 

Ozhean Zoey’s fat loss treatments help get rid of problem areas  

In summary, you want to lose weight the smart way – through dropping your body fat levels, and if you’re feeling it, some fat removal treatments or skin tightening technology (think stretchmarks and cellulite removal) could help complete your dream body.  

Ozhean Zoey’s fat freezing technology aids clients in achieving the bodies they want via non-invasive fat removal treatments that are scientifically backed⁴:

In 2012, Cryolipolysis received FDA clearance for love handles, abdomen, and thighs. The efficiency of the treatment method on fat reduction without physical damage to surrounding tissue has been clinically proven. The procedure is effective in reducing adipose tissue, and also offers high patient satisfaction. Here are some of its other benefits:

• It is suitable for all ages
• It is painless and non-invasive
• There is no downtime required
• There is no risk of infection
• Damaged fat cells are flushed out permanently
• Blood vessels, nerves, and muscles are not affected
• Multiple areas can be treated in a single session

Apart from Cryolipolysis, we also utilise treatments such as Agnes Fat Melt and Shockwave, Vacuum & Multipolar Radiofrequency to tighten, rejuvenate, and firm treated skin, giving our clients an even leaner and sculpted look after their fat removal treatments.

Struggling with cellulite? Here’s why losing more weight isn’t the solution. 

While the full flushing out of treated fat cells may take up to six months, the odds of fat cells returning after treatment are slim to zero. Patients are strictly advised to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle to support their fat removal treatment.

The journey might be hard, but it is so worth it. And with the right knowledge, mindset, and help, it is 100% achievable. If you’re just getting started, contact us today for the guidance that you need. We look forward to helping you succeed at achieving your dream body!

About Dr. Park Ji-Youn

Dr. Park Ji-Youn is the founder and managing director of the Ozhean group. As a board certified dermatologist, she has published more than 30 scientific papers on dermatology, and is the creator of Ozhean’s SKIN FIT program, which was conceived in 2015, and continues to successfully retain 80% of its original customers.

It’s been 20 years since Singaporean actress Andrea De Cruz’s furore with slimming pills, which left her with liver failure and almost death. You’d think that consumers today would be wary of products that promise quick and immediate fixes, but it seems not – many are still falling for countless weight loss scams that promise to speed up your metabolism and more, as confirmed by CNA¹. 

One of these products even claims to be "15 times more effective” on stubborn fat, with "results guaranteed within one to five days". 

To a professional, these claims are obviously nonsensical. 

Even outside of consumables, the “get slim fast” scam pervading Singapore today has made its way through other facets, such as slimming massages, body wraps, steam treatments and vibrating belts alike. 

All these treatments promise instant results, but the only real thing they have in common is that they help lose water, which unlike fat, is promptly regained. If you’re losing weight at a rapid pace without being on a hypocaloric diet, it’s very likely that you’re losing water weight instead of achieving actual weight loss, which comes from losing fat. 

Want to lose fat and slim down for the long-term? Here’s the lowdown on what to look out for. 

The difference between fat loss and water loss

The human body is made up of about 60%² water. Even fat cells contain roughly 10% water; suffice to say, water and hydration levels can greatly affect our body weight. 

When your body undergoes a state of dehydration (through activities like alcohol consumption, sweating, water fasts), your tissues, fat and intestines easily lose water. Hence, it is not uncommon to experience a drop in weight, a smaller waist circumference and even smaller fat bulges. 

Fun fact: did you know you can easily lose two pints’ worth of water just from 15-20 minutes in the sauna? 

That’s a whole lot of water weight – and something many slimming centres take advantage of to produce “instant weight loss” and “instant slimming effects”. But this weight loss is gained back the minute you replenish your body with hydration, and can take as fast as 45 minutes³. 

The bottom line: Rapid weight loss and slimming effects from slimming treatments that cause dehydration are only temporary and not meant to be permanent. The only real way to lose fat is through a caloric deficit. 

Fat loss the real way

A calorie deficit occurs when you consume fewer calories than your body burns. 

How big of a deficit over a consistent period of time will determine how fast you lose weight; but in general a deficit of 200-500 calories is enough to accumulate steady fat loss without feeling hungry and lethargic all the time. 

All literature and clinical studies have proven that a caloric deficit is the only way to achieve meaningful long term weight loss. When trying to lose weight, you should always focus on fat loss or losing visceral fat (fat located within the gut and intestinal organs). This significantly influences the body to look more attractive and healthier. 

Do fat loss aesthetic treatments work? 

Fat removal treatments focus on the removal or destruction of fat cells thus causing a reduction of fat or fat loss in the treated area. 

Yes, diet will have a big impact on the overall success of your slimming journey – but fat removal treatments can assist and even accelerate this process, provided the client is strict with their diet and exercise regime. 

For example, this 2012 study⁴ which evaluated long term fat loss in liposuction shows while the number of fat cells remained stable and low at treated areas, they actually increased in other areas of the body. In other words, fat redistribution is possible especially if current dietary and activity habits continue. 

So the gist is: Have your diet and exercise habits in place, and they will greatly enhance the aesthetic results of your fat loss treatments. 

Types of fat loss treatments in Singapore

Our team deliberately chooses fat removal treatments that are centred around clinic research and medically proven results. Let us help you achieve and maintain your desired body!

About Dr. Park Ji-Youn

Dr. Park Ji-Youn is the founder and managing director of the Ozhean group. As a board certified dermatologist, she has published more than 30 scientific papers on dermatology, and is the creator of Ozhean’s SKIN FIT program, which was conceived in 2015, and continues to successfully retain 80% of its original customers.

References

1. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/hsa-weight-loss-banned-substance-sibutramine-flash-slim-280751
2. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-percentage-of-the-human-body-is-water#percentage-chart 
3. https://www.drinkhydrant.com/blogs/news/how-long-does-it-take-to-recover-from-dehydration 
4. Benatti, F., Solis, M., Artioli, G., Montag, E., Painelli, V., Saito, F., Baptista, L., Costa, L. A., Neves, R., Seelaender, M., Ferriolli, E., Pfrimer, K., Lima, F., Roschel, H., Gualano, B., & Lancha, A., Jr (2012). Liposuction induces a compensatory increase of visceral fat which is effectively counteracted by physical activity: a randomized trial. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 97(7), 2388–2395. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2012-1012