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 referred to as “love handles”, excess weight located around the hips and the abdominal waistline can quickly become a real source of insecurity. Particularly difficult to eliminate, these fatty areas thicken the silhouette.
How to lose love handles ? Women and men face the same challenge. Cryolipolysis and radiofrequency are techniques that have proven their effectiveness in quickly eliminating love handles. Let’s discover these innovative methods and how they work.
Several reasons explain the phenomenon of fat storage above the hips. First and foremost : age. As we get older, the body manages excess calories less efficiently : metabolism slows down and muscle mass gradually decreases. Fat then tends to settle durably in certain areas of the body, such as the thighs, buttocks, abdomen — sometimes with a fat apron — and especially the hips, where love handles form. These fat deposits unbalance the silhouette. There are aggravating factors :
• A hypercaloric diet rich in fast sugars. When caloric intake exceeds needs, the body stores fat : love handles are a privileged storage area.
• Poor lifestyle habits : alcohol consumption, tobacco use and lack of sleep.
• Sedentary lifestyle.
• Hormonal changes : hence the appearance of love handles after pregnancy, at menopause and in men after the age of 50.
The term “love handles” or “love bulges” has a romantic connotation. It refers to a small pad that allows one to hold the other to show affection.
This expression therefore conveys a feeling of kindness and tenderness, nevertheless these small fat deposits are experienced as a complex by some people.
To prevent the appearance of these unsightly bulges and maintain a defined waist, exercising is essential. Sport contributes to the natural elimination of fat cells, firms and tones the body. Running, swimming, boxing, dancing, prioritize practicing a sport that allows overall muscle strengthening. As a complement, targeted strength-training sessions focusing on the abdominal muscles, particularly the obliques, are recommended.
A healthy diet must be combined with physical activity. It is advisable to adopt a healthy diet rich in fiber and low in saturated fats and fast sugars, which promotes the natural elimination of fat deposits.
Despite a healthy diet and regular physical activity, it is difficult to get rid of love handles.
This excess fat can sometimes be stubborn and it can be complicated to eliminate it definitively. To lose love handles, men and women can resort to proven methods of aesthetic-oriented medicine.
It is therefore possible to lose love handles without surgery.
Non-surgical and non-invasive, cryolipolysis consists in exposing fat cells to extreme cold, thanks to the application of a specific applicator on the fat deposit. The cold destroys the adipocytes, which are then naturally eliminated by the body.
Painless, a cryolipolysis session does not require general anesthesia and lasts about one hour. Once the device is removed, Dr Romano simply performs a gentle massage. Depending on the volume of love handles to be treated, several sessions may be necessary to regain slim and well-defined hips. Discreet love handles are a good indication. Very voluminous bulges that overflow above the hips are rather an indication for liposuction.
This technology is used in several medical practices ; in slimming beauty institutes, no medical device can be used, so the effectiveness and health safety of the technique are questionable. It is easy to schedule your cryolipolysis in Geneva and throughout Switzerland.
The other medical method indicated for the treatment of love handles is radiofrequency. Unlike cryolipolysis, where cold acts on adipocytes, radiofrequency exposes tissues and cells to high heat. This elevated temperature activates skin cells, which become active in synthesizing denser skin, which can reduce cellulite.
The body is toned and love handles are reduced. As with cryolipolysis, several sessions may be necessary for an optimal result. Before/after photos of love handles demonstrate the visible effects of this method. Performed without surgery, radiofrequency makes it possible to remodel the body, but also to correct cellulite and smooth the associated “orange peel skin” effect.
The results of radiofrequency are more variable and less visible than those of cryolipolysis, whose effectiveness no longer needs to be demonstrated.
The non-surgical treatment of love handles is based on cryolipolysis. The price varies depending on the number of sessions required. The cost of one session is 500 CHF, for the placement of two applicators, one on each side of the waist. As a complement or in the case of skin laxity, radiofrequency sessions may be considered in order to tone the skin. These are offered at 300 CHF per session. The number of cryolipolysis and/or radiofrequency sessions recommended is determined during a medical consultation.
The time required to eliminate love handles varies from one patient to another, depending on factors such as diet, physical activity and metabolism. With a balanced diet and regular physical activity, improvements can be observed within a few weeks to a few months.
The accumulation of fat in the love handle area is due to a combination of genetic and hormonal factors and lifestyle habits. A diet rich in sugars and saturated fats, combined with a sedentary lifestyle, promotes fat storage in this area.
Love handles affect both men and women, but their location and prevalence may vary. Men tend to accumulate fat in the abdominal region, including love handles, whereas women may store more fat in the hips and thighs.
Yes, genetics influences the distribution of body fat. Some people are genetically predisposed to store fat around the hips and waist, which can lead to the appearance of love handles.
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 is difficult to achieve through diet and exercise alone, as the body draws energy from overall fat reserves. However, aesthetic treatments such as cryolipolysis can specifically target love handles to reduce fat in this area without changes to other parts of the body.
