Love handles are localized subcutaneous fat deposits situated above the hips, extending into the back and abdomen.
Both men and women are affected, with a higher prevalence in women.
They increase waist size and give the impression of more prominent hips.
These fat bulges often stick out from the sides of pants or tight clothing, which earned them their descriptive name.
Commonly called “love handles,” excess fat stored around the hips and abdominal belt can quickly become a real source of insecurity.
These fat deposits are particularly difficult to eliminate and tend to thicken the silhouette.
How to lose love handles ? Both women and men face the same challenge. Cryolipolysis and radiofrequency: medical techniques developed to effectively eliminate love handles have proven their efficacy. Here’s a closer look at the methods that work.
Several factors explain why fat accumulates above the hips. First and foremost : age. As a physiological consequence of aging, the body becomes less efficient at processing excess fat. Over time, metabolism slows down and muscle mass inevitably decreases.
Fat cells are then stored in specific areas such as the thighs, buttocks, abdomen — with abdominal fat pads — and hips, where these unsightly love handles settle. These fat deposits alter and weigh down the silhouette.
There are aggravating factors :
• A high-calorie diet rich in fast sugars. When caloric intake exceeds the body’s needs, it stores the surplus and love handles are a preferred storage area.
• Poor lifestyle habits : alcohol consumption, smoking, and lack of sleep.
• Sedentary lifestyle.
• Hormonal changes : hence the appearance of love handles after pregnancy, during menopause, and in men after age 50.
The term “love handles” or “muffin tops” has a romantic connotation. It refers to a soft cushion that allows someone to grab their partner to show affection.
This expression thus conveys a feeling of kindness and tenderness. However, these small fat bulges are often experienced as a source of insecurity by some people.
To prevent the appearance of these unflattering bulges and maintain a defined waist, exercise is essential.
Sports contribute to the natural elimination of fat, while toning and firming the body.
Running, swimming, boxing, dancing — choose activities that promote overall muscle strengthening.
In addition, targeted strength training focusing on the abdominal muscles, especially the obliques, is recommended.
A healthy diet must be combined with regular exercise.
It is advisable to adopt a fiber-rich diet low in saturated fats and fast sugars, which supports the natural elimination of fat.
Despite a healthy diet and regular physical activity, it is difficult to get rid of love handles. This fat surplus can sometimes be stubborn, and eliminating it permanently can be complicated. To lose these love handles, both men and women can turn to proven aesthetic medicine techniques. It is therefore possible to lose love handles without surgery.
Non-surgical and non-invasive, cryolipolysis involves exposing fat cells to extreme cold using a specific applicator placed on the fat deposit.
The cold destroys the adipocytes, which are then naturally eliminated by the body.
Painless, a cryolipolysis session requires no general anesthesia and lasts about one hour. Once the applicator is removed, Dr. Romano performs a gentle massage.
Depending on the volume of the love handles to be treated, several sessions may be necessary to regain slim and well-defined hips.
Small, discreet love handles are a good indication. Very large bulges overflowing above the hips are rather an indication for liposuction.
This technology is used in several medical practices. In slimming beauty salons, no medical device can be used, so the efficacy and health safety of the technique are questionable.
It is easy to schedule your cryolipolysis session in Geneva and throughout Switzerland.
The other medical method indicated for treating love handles is radiofrequency. Unlike cryolipolysis, which acts through cold, radiofrequency exposes the tissues and cells to intense heat. This high temperature activates the cells that stimulate the production of denser skin, which can reduce the appearance of this aesthetic concern. The result: a firmer body and even stubborn love handles visibly reduced. As with cryolipolysis, multiple sessions may be required for optimal results. Before/after love handle photos demonstrate the visible effects of this method. Performed without surgery, radiofrequency not only reshapes the body, but also treats cellulite and reduces the “orange peel” effect often associated with it. Radiofrequency results are more variable and less visible than those of cryolipolysis, whose results are well established.
Non-surgical treatment of love handles is based on cryolipolysis. The price varies depending on the number of sessions required. One session costs 500 CHF, which includes the use of two applicators — one on each side of the waist. As a complement, or in cases of skin laxity, radiofrequency sessions may be considered to help tone the skin. These are offered at 300 CHF per session. The recommended number of cryolipolysis and/or radiofrequency sessions is determined during a medical consultation.
The time needed to get rid of love handles varies from person to person, depending on factors such as diet, physical activity, and metabolism. With a balanced diet and regular exercise, visible improvements can often be seen within a few weeks to a few months.
Fat accumulation in the love handle area is caused by a combination of genetic, hormonal, and lifestyle factors. A diet high in sugars and saturated fats, combined with a sedentary lifestyle, promotes fat storage in this region.
Love handles affect both men and women, but their location and frequency may differ. Men tend to store fat in the abdominal region, including the love handles, while women are more likely to accumulate fat around the hips and thighs.
Yes, genetics influence how fat is distributed in the body. Some individuals are genetically predisposed to store fat around the waist and hips, making love handles more likely.
Hormonal fluctuations, particularly in sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone, can influence fat distribution. For example, a drop in testosterone in men can lead to increased abdominal fat storage.
Targeted fat loss through diet and exercise alone is difficult, as the body draws energy from overall fat stores. However, aesthetic treatments such as cryolipolysis can specifically target love handles, reducing fat in that area without affecting other parts of the body.
