How to Get Rid of Armpit Fat: Surgical, Non-Surgical Methods

Most of you would agree that the extra bulge near their bra line is one area that tends to gain excess fat. Even people who follow a healthy lifestyle with a regular workout regimen and healthy meals tend to face armpit fat as they age. Such changes might be due to genetics, low collagen levels, hormone fluctuations, lack of skin elasticity, and excess fat [1]. However, armpit fat or bra bulge can be frustrating to many, especially when wearing a figure-fitting dress. Thankfully, several non-surgical treatments and surgical body contouring approaches can help in eliminating stubborn armpit fat and tighten skin. Keep reading to learn the reasons behind armpit fat, surgical and non-surgical treatment methods to remove it, and post-treatment instructions for quick recovery and perfect results.

What Causes Armpit Fat or Bulge Near the Bra Line?

Armpit fat is generally referred to as axillary fat that usually accumulates around the side and beneath your underarms, making the area bulge, especially while wearing bras and tight tops. Armpit fat might differ in terms of prominence and size from one individual to another when striving to maintain a well-toned body. Women who are obese or have larger breasts also tend to develop armpit fat quickly. Here’s a list of common factors that contribute to armpit fat.

• Inactive Lifestyle: People who follow a sedentary lifestyle will accumulate unwanted fat quickly and cause muscle loss, making the bra line or armpits appear bulgy.
• Fluctuations in Hormone Levels: You might face changes in hormone levels while being pregnant, during menopause, or during puberty, which might affect your body’s fat distribution.
• Not Maintaining the Right Posture: If you tend to slouch on your work desk or maintain poor posture, it can also cause bra line bulge or armpit fat.
• Genetic Factors: Sometimes, you might be genetically predisposed to accumulate stubborn fat near the bra line or armpits.
• Too Much Weight Gain: When you are over the ideal body weight range, you tend to gain fat in areas near the bra line and the armpits.
• Lack of Muscle Tone: If you have poor muscle tone, it might make your armpit fat appear more visible. It will also cause the muscle tissue and the skin to bundle up in an unnatural way.
• Poor Lymphatic Drainage: Lymphatic drainage can lead to swelling and puffiness at the sides and near the bra line and armpit, which might look like accumulated fat.

Can Exercise Alone Help Reduce Armpit Fat?

Workouts might not be effective in reducing the accumulated fat in a targeted area like your armpit, as spot reduction is not possible. Losing fat is a systemic process, which happens when you follow a combination of a deficit diet and targeted workouts. Sometimes, stubborn fat in the armpit will be resistant to diet and exercise, making it a challenging issue. This is because:

• Fat Burning Physiology: To perform strenuous targeted exercises, your body will need a lot of energy. It converts the triglycerides present in the accumulated fat cells into free fatty acids that get mixed in your bloodstream and serve as fuel. The fat used by your body isn’t exclusively from the armpit area that needs reduction, which is why targeted fat loss isn’t possible.
• Level of Fat Distribution and Genes Connection: The way your body stores unwanted fat and how it uses it is influenced by both hormones and genes. If you have a genetic predisposition to accumulating excess fat, it indicates that the armpit would be the last part to lose fat, even when achieving overall weight loss.
• Fat Loss vs. Muscle Toning: Performing targeted workouts like tricep dips and push-ups is ideal for toning and strengthening your arm and chest muscles. It can make your muscles look well-defined, but it will not help in burning off fat in the targeted area along the bra line.

Non-Surgical Fat Reduction Treatments

If you are tired of the bulges created by armpit fat that resists workouts and diet, you can try any of the proven non-surgical fat reduction treatment options. These non-invasive procedures are safe and will not require high downtime, incisions, or anesthesia [2].

1. CoolSculpting Procedure: Freeze Unwanted Fat Away

It is referred to as a cryolipolysis procedure and is a renowned treatment option for people with a fast-paced lifestyle. It relies on a controlled cooling procedure that freezes stubborn fat areas in and around the armpit region to destroy them effectively [3]. The procedure is performed by using an applicator with cooling panels along the bra line or armpit region, which vacuums the fat-filled bulges to freeze them at a specific temperature. Your body will naturally expel the frozen and dead fat cells within a few weeks. This FDA-cleared fat freezing treatment will cut down at least 20% of fat per session to give you visible results in a couple of weeks [4]. It doesn’t have any side effects and helps you get back to your everyday life immediately.

2. Laser Lipolysis: Achieve Sculpted Look

This non-surgical approach to eliminate armpit fat deals with stubborn fat by inducing heat energy by passing temperature-controlled laser technology to dissipate it [5]. The laser applicator produces heat energy with a specific wavelength to deal with the unwanted fat cells while keeping your skin surface cool to prevent damage. The broken-down fat cells in the armpit area will be metabolized and eliminated by the body. Each laser lipolysis session will take around 25 minutes and can cut down up to 24% of accumulated armpit fat. You can get well-sculpted armpits within 6 to 12 weeks. This FDA-cleared lipolysis treatment for bra line fat will not require you to spend time on recovery and is a hassle-free procedure.

3. Injection Lipolysis: Dissolve Unwanted Fat

If you are looking for a simple non-surgical treatment option to take care of that pesky bra line fat, this injectable treatment can be a wise choice. It is performed by administering shots directly in the armpit fat deposits to dissolve and expel it through natural metabolic process [6]. It contains Deoxycholic acid, a molecule naturally produced by your body that helps in dietary fat absorption and breaks it down [7]. If you have tiny fat pockets in the armpit or bra line, your surgeon would suggest this non-invasive treatment option. You might have to attend 3 to 6 treatment sessions with several weeks’ gap to get the desired fat loss. This injectable treatment has no downtime and has no side effects.

Surgical Removal Options: Liposuction & Body Contouring

Liposuction: An Effective Choice for Spot Fat Reduction

This surgical treatment approach is very effective in breaking down unwanted fat pockets swiftly in challenging body areas like the armpits [8]. It targets eliminating the fat that gets accumulated near the bra line to help you achieve a flawless figure that can last longer by maintaining a healthy lifestyle [9]. It offers permanent fat reduction results for sculpted armpits to improve your confidence levels. As the fat cells will be dispelled through the device with suction action, there is no chance of regaining lost fat [10]. You need not attend any maintenance sessions after a surgical liposuction procedure, and it doesn’t leave any scars or require a short recovery period.

Body Contouring: Enhance Your Look

Body contouring procedure helps get rid of armpit fat by targeting the removal of stubborn fatty cells as well as unwanted skin tissues that were resistant to your everyday workouts and customized diet plans. Body contouring procedures like an arm lift are effective for addressing unwanted armpit fat. It helps in getting rid of bra line bulge by eliminating excess fat deposits to achieve a toned look. You will be able to flaunt a firm bra line without any drooping muscles and loose skin. This body contouring procedure is effective for getting rid of stubborn fat deposits and tightening loose or saggy skin near the armpits.

Ideal Candidates for Armpit Fat Removal

• You should have firm skin with excellent elasticity, along with perfect muscle tone.
• Your body weight must not exceed 30% of the ideal range to opt for surgical fat removal.
• You must not smoke or drink alcoholic drinks to facilitate quick recovery after liposuction.
• Your body goals should be realistic, and it is essential to maintain a positive attitude.
• There mustn’t be any serious medical issues or chronic illnesses, as they will hinder the recovery pace.

Recovery, Results & Post-Treatment Care

• Soon after surgical treatment for armpit fat removal, you might feel tightness near the bra line, temporary numbness, soreness, bruising, and mild swelling.
• You can manage these symptoms with cold compress application, pain relief medications, and wearing a compression garment.
• Do not perform heavy exercises and strenuous activities for 6 weeks after surgery.
• Your liposuction results will be visible in two weeks, and complete results will be visible after two or three months.
• You will notice contoured results within 6 weeks after body contouring, and the outcome after 3 – 6 months.

Why Consider Akruti for Body Contouring Treatments

Akruti, the renowned ISO-certified clinic for plastic or cosmetic surgery established in Hyderabad in 2008, has a team of expert best surgeons in Hyderabad like Dr Rambhupal Rao. They offer an array of surgical and non-surgical fat removal treatment options at affordable prices to cater to every individual’s body goal requirements. Their website with before and after pictures of patients shows the proven ability of their surgeons in handling fat removal procedures successfully.

Reference Links

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2. Alizadeh Z, Halabchi F, Mazaheri R, Abolhasani M, Tabesh M. Review of the Mechanisms and Effects of Noninvasive Body Contouring Devices on Cellulite and Subcutaneous Fat. Int J Endocrinol Metab. 2016 Jul 3;14(4):e36727. doi: 10.5812/ijem.36727. PMID: 28123436; PMCID: PMC5236497. – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5236497/
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5. Kar Wai Alvin Lee: EverKeen Medical Centre, Hong Kong – https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9284/11/5/164
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