What Makes Stubborn Fat Stubborn: 4 Things You Need to Know

One main issue about stubborn fats is that they cling to you despite your best efforts. This type of fat, also called subcutaneous fat, is soft and pinchable, and located underneath the skin. They can be found all over the body, with common areas like the belly, arms, chin, buttocks, and thighs. 

It is not entirely your fault why these pockets of fat won’t back down. These fats are stubborn in the first place and there are a number of factors contributing as to why they can be hard to get rid of. To gain better understanding about what makes stubborn fat stubborn, here are 4 facts you should know. 

1. Your hormones can make you gain more stubborn fat.

If stubborn fat still lingers even with regular diet and exercise, your hormones might be to blame. Low levels of progesterone (which can happen during perimenopause) can make your body store more fat (especially around the belly area). This leads to estrogen dominance, which encourages insulin resistance, causing accumulation of belly fat. 

Cortisol or stress hormones also play a role, as they slow down your metabolism, increase your appetite, and cause cravings for unhealthy foods. High levels of cortisol also translate to higher blood sugar levels. This increases your insulin and causes your body to store more fat, especially at the belly.

2. Women are more prone to having more stubborn fat.

In general, women have a higher percentage of fat than men. Women’s body fat content sits at 25% compared to 15% for men. Also, females tend to have more alpha-2 receptors in their subcutaneous fat areas than men. Alpha-2 receptors are beneficial when storing energy for future use, but they hinder fat burning. 

Differences in fat content exists, as women may have to carry a baby at some point in their lives. Extra fat and extra energy are essential in nourishing a child through the course of pregnancy. 

3. Stubborn fat is different from regular fat.

One of the main reasons why stubborn fats are resistant to diet and exercise is that they have a higher density of alpha-2 receptors. As mentioned before, these receptors store the fat for future use and hinder fat burning. Subcutaneous fats, furthermore, are more insulin sensitive, which means they store more fat and release less fat than regular fat. 

It is also important to know that areas with stubborn fat bulges receive less blood flow. This means less transportation and utilization of fat stored in the area. This then makes it difficult to burn off the fat. 

4. You can reduce stubborn fat non-invasively.

Surgery is not your only choice in reducing stubborn fat. In fact, some areas of the body can resolve better in non-invasive treatments than liposuction. This is because nonsurgical procedures provide gradual fat reduction, which then allows the skin to adjust. This then minimizes the risk for sagging or looseness.

At Cutis Medical Laser Clinics in Singapore, we have three non-invasive fat reduction procedures that are worth considering. These include:

CoolSculpting® Fat Freezing – This uses freezing temperatures to target and kill fat cells. It features applicators of different sizes and delivers controlled cooling temperature to specific areas with stubborn fat. It can address fats in the arms, belly, thighs, and chin, as well as smaller fats like a bra and knee fat.

ZLipo Fat Freezing – This also uses cold temperature to trigger apoptosis or natural cell death. It features a handpiece that suctions in the fat bulges before exposing them to cooling temperatures. The treated fat cells are then metabolized by the body over time. ZLipo can be used on the belly, arms, thighs, chest, and love handles.

BTL® VANQUISH ME™ – This uses an FDA-cleared radiofrequency (RF) technology to heat and melt the fat cells. Selective RF heating disrupts fat cells, resulting in fat cell shrinkage and elimination. The entire Vanquish procedure is contactless, which means it can target and kill fat cells without touching your skin. 

Check out the 5 reasons to try Vanquish fat reduction procedure. 

Schedule a Body Assessment and Consultation

If you’re looking to reduce certain pockets of fat without cuts and needles, consider these non-invasive treatments. Contact Cutis Medical Laser Clinics in Singapore today and schedule a body assessment and consultation with our aesthetic doctor to find which procedure is right for you.