Wondering what areas body contouring can treat before you book? The honest answer is that it works almost anywhere stubborn fat or under-toned muscle holds on despite a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Body contouring treats stubborn fat and under-toned areas that resist diet and exercise, most commonly the abdomen, flanks and love handles, back and bra rolls, thighs, buttocks, upper arms, and the fat under the chin. Different technologies target fat, muscle, or skin, so the right treatment depends on the area and your goal.
The term covers several non-surgical treatments, and each one is suited to certain areas and certain goals. Below is a clear breakdown of what areas can body contouring treat, how each technology works, and how to match the right approach to your body.
What Is Body Contouring?
Body contouring is a group of non-surgical treatments that reshape the body by reducing fat, building muscle, or improving the look of the skin, without surgery or downtime. It is not a weight-loss method. Instead, it targets specific pockets that will not budge no matter how consistent you are. Our body contouring treatments are tailored to your anatomy and goals, and our non-surgical body contouring guide walks through how the technology works in more detail.
What Areas Can Body Contouring Treat?
These are the areas clients ask about most, and where non-surgical contouring tends to deliver the clearest results:
Abdomen and Stomach
The most-requested area. Great for the lower-belly pouch and post-pregnancy softness that resists crunches.
Flanks and Love Handles
The fat along the waistline and hips that spills over waistbands. One of the most satisfying areas to treat.
Back and Bra Rolls
Bulges around the bra line and mid-back that are almost impossible to target with exercise alone.
Thighs
Inner and outer thighs, including the area where thighs rub together, for a smoother, slimmer line.
Buttocks
Lifting and toning through muscle-building contouring, rather than fat reduction, for a firmer shape.
Upper Arms
The underarm softness, sometimes called bat wings, that shows in sleeveless tops.
Under the Chin and Jawline
Submental fat, better known as a double chin, treated with targeted fat-dissolving injections.
Hips and Banana Roll
The hips and the crease just under the buttocks, refined for a cleaner overall silhouette.
Fat, Muscle, or Skin? Matching the Treatment to the Area
"Body contouring" is really three different goals, and the best treatment depends on which one applies to your area.
Reducing Stubborn Fat
For pinchable fat on the abdomen, flanks, back, and thighs, fat-reduction treatments cool or break down fat cells so the body clears them gradually. Our CryoSculpting fat-freezing treatment targets larger areas, while fat-dissolving injections are ideal for smaller, precise spots like the chin. If you are comparing your options, our guides on what CryoSculpting is and CoolSculpting versus liposuction break down the differences. These fall under what the American Society of Plastic Surgeons describes as non-surgical fat reduction.
Building and Toning Muscle
Not every area is about fat. For the abdomen, buttocks, and arms, muscle sculpting stimulates the muscles to contract far more than a normal workout can, which tones and firms over a series of sessions. It is the go-to choice when you want more definition rather than less volume.
Improving the Skin's Appearance
Contouring can also address how the skin looks over a treated area. Our stretch mark camouflage improves the appearance of stretch marks that often accompany changes in body shape, so the final result looks smooth and even.
Which Treatment for Which Area?
| Area | Main Goal | Common Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Abdomen and flanks | Reduce fat, tone muscle | Fat-freezing or muscle sculpting |
| Back and bra rolls | Reduce fat | Fat-freezing |
| Thighs | Reduce fat | Fat-freezing |
| Buttocks | Lift and tone | Muscle sculpting |
| Upper arms | Reduce fat, tone | Fat-freezing or muscle sculpting |
| Under the chin | Reduce fat | Fat-dissolving injections |
For the chin specifically, many clients ask about longevity, which we cover in our guides on Kybella for a double chin and whether Kybella results are permanent.
Is Body Contouring Right for You?
Body contouring works best for people who are close to their goal weight and want to refine specific areas, not as a substitute for weight loss. It is not designed to remove large amounts of fat or to tighten significant loose skin, and results build gradually over weeks as your body responds. The only way to know which areas and which treatment suit you is a professional assessment, where a provider looks at the area, your skin, and your goals and recommends the safest, most effective plan.
See What Body Contouring Can Do for Your Areas of Concern
Book a consultation and our team will assess your target areas, explain your options, and build a plan around your goals, with no pressure. Schedule at Buena Park, Lakewood, or Newport Beach, or contact us here to get started.
Explore Body ContouringFrequently Asked Questions
What areas can body contouring treat?
Body contouring most commonly treats the abdomen, flanks and love handles, back and bra rolls, thighs, buttocks, upper arms, and the fat under the chin. The best treatment for each area depends on whether the goal is fat reduction, muscle toning, or skin appearance.
Is body contouring the same as weight loss?
No. Body contouring reshapes specific areas of stubborn fat or under-toned muscle. It is meant for people near their goal weight who want to refine problem spots, not to lose a large amount of weight.
Is body contouring surgery?
The treatments described here are non-surgical, with little to no downtime. They reduce fat, stimulate muscle, or improve skin appearance without incisions or anesthesia. A consultation confirms which option fits your area and goals.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on the area and the treatment. Fat-reduction and muscle-toning treatments are typically done in a short series spaced a few weeks apart, with results building gradually. Your provider will map out a plan at your consultation.
Can body contouring tighten loose skin?
Non-surgical contouring can improve mild skin appearance, but it is not designed to tighten significant loose or sagging skin. If skin laxity is your main concern, your provider can recommend a more suitable treatment during your assessment.
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