What are the flanks, and why is it so hard to get rid of fat there?

CoolSculpting® in Portland, ME

Also known as the love handles, the flanks are the area under the bra strap resulting in a smooth appearance and a more defined waist. The flanks are a common trouble area for both men and women, but why is that? We broke down the top reasons why fat loss in this area is so difficult.

Lack of Use

When in the gym, common exercises target the abs or the glutes…but not many people are focused on their rear deltoids. When muscles go unused, they lose strength, which leads to a loss in tone and definition.

Bad Posture

Oftentimes, the way we hold ourselves makes our fat present different. Head to a mirror. Look at yourself standing upright, shoulder back, chest out. Now, slouch a little bit. Makes a big difference, huh? Poor posture can emphasize the fat you have. Standing tall will help pull the love handles flat, making you look leaner.

Excessive Fat

To boil it down, extra pounds can be carried in different places for different people. Some body types are prone to carry weight in their thighs, others in their abdomen. Those last few pounds can be near impossible to get rid of with diet and exercise. Not to mention, hormones come into play as people age, which can make weight loss event harder.

So, what are the options?

At CEC, we are experts in CoolSculpting. CoolSculpting is a non-surgical body contouring treatment that uses a process known as cryolipolysis to freeze and eliminate fat that is resistant to diet and exercise. It works by bringing fat cells to a temperature at which they freeze and metabolize through the body’s natural processes.

Are the results permanent?

Once the cells are gone, they are gone. However, it is possible to gain weight, so we recommend that our patients maintain their results with a healthy, active lifestyle.

Are you curious to see what a flanks treatment looks like? Check out our recent Facebook LIVE of an actual treatment!