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Concerns

Fat Reduction 

You work hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle, yet certain areas refuse to change. When stubborn pockets of fat persist despite your best efforts at diet and exercise, our board-certified dermatologists offer advanced fat reduction treatments that contour your body without surgery or extended downtime. With physician-guided care, you can achieve natural results that enhance your confidence and reveal the sculpted shape you have been working toward.

Understanding Concerns With Fat Reduction

Stubborn pockets of fat can persist even when you maintain a healthy lifestyle and commit to regular exercise. These resistant areas often develop due to genetics, hormonal changes, aging, or natural body fat distribution patterns, and they simply will not respond to diet and exercise alone, no matter how disciplined you are.

For many patients throughout the East Bay, these persistent areas create frustration and self-consciousness. The disconnect between the effort you put in and the results you see can be disheartening. Addressing these specific concerns through targeted fat reduction can help you achieve a more balanced, streamlined silhouette that finally reflects your dedication to health and fitness.

Common concerns:

  • Persistent fat in specific areas despite healthy habits
  • Bulges that are completely resistant to exercise
  • Unbalanced or uneven body contours
  • Abdominal fat that will not flatten
  • Love handles or flank fullness
  • Fullness beneath the chin (double chin)
  • Lack of visible muscle definition despite strength training
  • Areas that do not respond to lifestyle changes
  • Feeling fit but not looking as toned as you would like
  • Body shape that does not match your fitness level

At Potozkin + Ellis Dermatology, our board-certified dermatologists understand that fat reduction is not about weight loss, it is about refining and sculpting specific areas to create the contoured appearance that diet and exercise cannot achieve on their own.

How Do We Treat Fat Reduction?

Our board-certified dermatologists use a carefully selected range of advanced body contouring treatments that target stubborn fat cells, enhance muscle tone, and refine your natural shape. Unlike medspas where technicians may perform body contouring procedures, our physicians personally oversee all treatments, bringing medical expertise and precision to every procedure.

Each plan is DermDesigned™ and personalized to achieve results that look smooth, natural, and proportional to your body. Many patients achieve optimal results by combining treatments that address both fat reduction and muscle definition.

Coolsculpting before and after results
Coolsculpting before and after results
Coolsculpting before and after results

Body Contouring and Fat Reduction Treatments

CoolSculpting
Elite

The most advanced non-invasive fat reduction technology available, CoolSculpting Elite uses controlled cooling (cryolipolysis) to freeze and permanently eliminate stubborn fat cells. This FDA-cleared treatment targets specific areas without surgery, needles, or downtime. The destroyed fat cells are naturally eliminated by your body over the following weeks and months, revealing a slimmer, more contoured appearance. Our physicians have extensive experience creating natural-looking results with CoolSculpting Elite.

CoolTone

While CoolSculpting Elite eliminates fat, CoolTone strengthens and tones underlying muscles using Magnetic Muscle Stimulation technology. CoolTone induces powerful muscle contractions that build and define muscle tissue in the abdomen, buttocks, and thighs. This treatment is ideal for patients who want enhanced definition and visible muscle tone to complement their fat reduction results.

Kybella

The only FDA-approved injectable treatment for submental fullness (double chin), Kybella uses deoxycholic acid to permanently destroy fat cells beneath the chin. Our board-certified dermatologists perform all Kybella injections personally, using precise techniques that create natural-looking jawline definition. The destroyed fat cells are gradually eliminated by your body, revealing a more sculpted profile over several weeks.

Submental
Liposuction

For patients seeking more dramatic contouring of the chin and jawline area, our board-certified dermatologists perform submental liposuction using refined surgical techniques and small incisions. This minimally invasive approach offers immediate fat removal with natural-looking contours and relatively quick recovery compared to traditional surgical procedures.

These treatments may be combined strategically to address multiple areas or create more comprehensive contouring depending on your goals and body composition.

What Is Fat Reduction?

Fat reduction focuses on decreasing stubborn fat deposits in specific areas that affect the shape, definition, and proportions of your body. Unlike weight loss, which reduces fat cells throughout the entire body, targeted fat reduction treatments eliminate fat cells in problem areas that resist diet and exercise.

When fat cells are destroyed through CoolSculpting Elite, Kybella, or liposuction, they are permanently eliminated and cannot return. This allows for lasting body contouring results when combined with stable weight maintenance.

Concerns we treat:

  • Abdominal fat and belly bulges
  • Flank or love handle fullness
  • Inner and outer thigh bulges
  • Upper arm fullness and lack of definition
  • Submental fat (double chin) and jawline concerns
  • Back fat or bra line bulges
  • Hip and waist contour concerns
  • Smaller, targeted pockets of stubborn fat
  • Post-pregnancy body changes that persist
  • Areas that create clothing fit issues

Our board-certified dermatologists evaluate each area to determine the most effective approach for your unique body and goals. By using precise, scientifically-proven techniques, we help you achieve a smoother, more sculpted appearance that aligns with your natural proportions and reflects the effort you put into maintaining your health.

Many patients find that eliminating stubborn fat pockets transforms not just their body but their confidence, finally achieving the toned, contoured appearance they have been working toward.

Background texture

Who Is a Good Candidate for Fat Reduction?

Ideal candidates are individuals at or near their goal weight who want to refine their shape by targeting specific areas that have not responded to healthy habits.

You may be a good candidate if you:

  • Have localized areas of stubborn fat despite regular exercise
  • Want to enhance natural contours and definition
  • Prefer non-surgical or minimally invasive options
  • Maintain a stable weight and healthy lifestyle
  • Want gradual, natural-looking results
  • Have realistic expectations about body contouring
  • Are frustrated by specific areas that resist all your efforts
  • Seek physician-guided treatment for safety and precision
  • Want to complete what diet and exercise have started

It is important to understand that fat reduction is not a weight loss solution. These treatments are designed for body contouring and refinement in specific areas—not for significant weight reduction or obesity treatment.

Patients throughout Danville, Walnut Creek, Lafayette, and the East Bay trust Potozkin + Ellis Dermatology for expertise-driven body contouring that delivers refined, balanced outcomes.

During your DermDesigned™ Consultation, our board-certified dermatologists will evaluate your body concerns, discuss your aesthetic goals, and create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your unique body composition and desired results.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fat Reduction

How does CoolSculpting Elite reduce fat?

CoolSculpting Elite uses controlled cooling technology (cryolipolysis) to freeze stubborn fat cells without damaging surrounding skin, nerves, or tissue. The precisely cooled fat cells crystallize and die, then are naturally eliminated by your body’s lymphatic system over the following weeks and months. This gradual elimination creates a smoother, more contoured appearance that develops naturally. Most patients see initial improvement within three weeks, with full results visible after two to three months. Because the fat cells are permanently destroyed, results are long-lasting when you maintain a stable weight.

What is the difference between CoolSculpting Elite and CoolTone?

CoolSculpting Elite targets and eliminates unwanted fat cells, while CoolTone focuses on strengthening and toning underlying muscles through Magnetic Muscle Stimulation. CoolSculpting slims and contours by removing fat, while CoolTone builds and defines muscle tissue. Many patients combine the two treatments for comprehensive body sculpting, eliminating fat while simultaneously enhancing muscle definition. This combination approach delivers both slimming and toning benefits for a more athletic, defined appearance. Your dermatologist will determine the best approach based on your specific goals and body composition.

How does Kybella work for fat reduction?

Kybella contains deoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring molecule in the body that breaks down and absorbs dietary fat. When injected beneath the chin, Kybella destroys fat cell membranes, causing the cells to release their contents. Your body then naturally processes and eliminates these destroyed fat cells over several weeks. Because the fat cells are permanently destroyed, they cannot accumulate fat again. Most patients require two to four treatment sessions spaced several weeks apart for optimal refinement. Our board-certified dermatologists perform all Kybella injections personally, ensuring precise placement and natural-looking results.

Is submental liposuction minimally invasive?

Yes. Submental liposuction uses very small incisions (typically hidden under the chin) and precise surgical techniques to remove fat beneath the chin and along the jawline. While more invasive than non-surgical options like CoolSculpting Elite or Kybella, it remains far less extensive than traditional surgical procedures and can be performed in our office setting. Submental liposuction offers immediate, dramatic contour improvement with relatively quick recovery time. Our board-certified dermatologists perform this procedure with meticulous attention to creating smooth, natural-looking contours that enhance your profile.

Are fat reduction results permanent?

Fat cells removed or destroyed through treatments like CoolSculpting Elite, Kybella, or submental liposuction are permanently eliminated and do not return. However, maintaining a stable weight and healthy habits is essential to preserve your contoured results long-term. Significant weight gain can cause remaining fat cells to expand, potentially affecting your outcomes. Our dermatologists provide comprehensive guidance on maintaining your sculpted contours for years to come through lifestyle habits and occasional maintenance treatments if desired.

Do fat reduction treatments hurt?

Most fat reduction treatments involve mild and temporary sensations that are easily tolerated. CoolSculpting Elite creates cold, pulling, and tingling sensations that subside as the area becomes numb. CoolTone causes intense muscle contractions that feel unusual but are not typically painful. Kybella injections involve brief stinging and may cause swelling afterward. Submental liposuction is performed with local anesthesia for your comfort. Our board-certified dermatologists use refined techniques and advanced devices to ensure comfort throughout your treatment while maintaining optimal results.

How long does it take to see fat reduction results?

Results vary by treatment modality. CoolSculpting Elite shows initial improvement within three weeks, with full results developing over two to three months as your body eliminates destroyed fat cells. Kybella results appear gradually over several weeks following each treatment session. CoolTone muscle definition becomes visible after several sessions. Submental liposuction offers more immediate changes, with final contours visible once swelling resolves. During your consultation, your dermatologist will outline realistic expectations and timeline based on your selected treatment.

Can fat reduction improve multiple areas at once?

Yes. Many patients treat multiple zones during a comprehensive body contouring plan. Common combinations include treating the abdomen and flanks together, addressing both inner and outer thighs, or pairing submental fat reduction with jawline refinement. CoolSculpting Elite can treat multiple areas in a single session. Our physicians create personalized plans that ensure seamless, balanced results across all treated areas for proportional, natural-looking body contouring.

Will my fat reduction results look natural?

Absolutely. Our board-certified dermatologists specialize in subtle, elegant contouring that enhances your natural proportions without creating an artificial or overdone appearance. The goal is refinement that looks like the result of dedicated fitness—not obviously cosmetic intervention. Your body shape remains authentically yours, just more refined, sculpted, and toned. Gradual fat elimination through treatments like CoolSculpting Elite creates particularly natural-looking transitions that appear as though you simply lost weight in targeted areas.

How do I know which fat reduction treatment is best for me?

During your DermDesigned™ Consultation, your board-certified dermatologist will assess your goals, body composition, the areas you want to address, your lifestyle, and your expectations. We consider factors including the amount of fat present, skin quality, whether you want non-invasive or minimally invasive treatment, your desired timeline, and whether muscle definition is also a concern. After comprehensive evaluation, you will receive a curated treatment plan designed to improve your shape and create smooth, natural contours that align with your personal goals and body type.

What Our Patients Have to Say

Doctors Ellis and Potozkin

Why Choose Potozkin + Ellis Dermatology

Patients from San Francisco, Lafayette, Walnut Creek, Orinda, Moraga, Alamo, and Blackhawk choose Potozkin + Ellis Dermatology for our unparalleled expertise and results.

We combine the science of dermatology with the artistry of aesthetics to deliver natural-looking enhancements that build confidence. With board-certified dermatologists performing all injections and a comprehensive range of laser technologies delivered by skilled providers, we provide both safety and excellence in a sophisticated yet approachable environment.

Unlike other practices, we complement our advanced treatments with physician-selected medical-grade skincare products and begin every aesthetic journey with our signature DermDesigned consultation. Whether you're seeking cosmetic enhancement or medical dermatology care, our commitment to natural-looking results and excellence ensures you'll receive the highest standard of care in the East Bay.

Visit Us In Danville

Experience world-class dermatology care right here in the East Bay.

Hours of Operation

Monday-Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Contact Us

925.838.4900