At Body Lab Studio here in Myrtle Beach, we hear it every day. Clients walk in, sit down for their consultation, and say the same thing: “I just want to lose fat.” But…
It’s a familiar goal, but here’s the problem: fat isn’t just one thing. There are two very different types of fat in the human body. They behave differently, they affect your health differently, and they respond to treatments in very different ways. One is the fat you can grab, pinch, and see in the mirror. The other is hidden, dangerous, and far more stubborn.
If you’re serious about changing your body, you need to understand the difference between subcutaneous fat and visceral fat. Otherwise, you’ll waste energy chasing the wrong results or expecting treatments to do what only lifestyle can achieve. This blog is here to give you that clarity.
What Is Subcutaneous Fat?
Subcutaneous fat is the “pinchable” layer under your skin. It is the soft padding you feel around your stomach, thighs, hips, or arms. It is the kind of fat that makes jeans feel tighter, creates love handles, and is often behind the dimpling of cellulite.
- Location: Just under the skin
- Visibility: Easy to see and pinch
- Main concern: Appearance and body shape
- Health risks: Lower than visceral fat but can still cause issues when excessive
Why subcutaneous fat matters?
Clients usually care about subcutaneous fat for one reason: appearance. It is the fat that shapes your body and determines whether you feel toned, smooth, and confident in your clothes. Losing it is frustrating because it often refuses to shift from certain “problem areas” even with diet and exercise.
The good news is that because this fat sits directly under the skin, it can be influenced by body contouring treatments. Subcutaneous fat is exactly what we at Body Lab Studio are trained to target with non-invasive technology.
What Is Visceral Fat?
Visceral fat is the “invisible” fat. You cannot pinch it. You cannot see it. It sits much deeper, wrapped around your organs in the abdominal cavity. Think of it as fat padding your liver, pancreas, and intestines. You could look slim in a mirror yet still be carrying an unhealthy level of visceral fat.
- Location: Around internal organs in the abdominal cavity
- Visibility: Invisible, cannot be pinched
- Main concern: Health risks, not appearance
- Health risks: Insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, inflammation, heart disease
According to Byrdie, visceral fat has been strongly linked to chronic illnesses that reduce both quality of life and life expectancy. It is considered “active fat” because it actively interferes with hormone function, blood sugar regulation, and inflammatory processes.
And here is the hard truth: visceral fat does not budge with surface treatments. No machine, no light, no ultrasound can directly touch it. To reduce visceral fat, you need systemic changes. That means nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress management
Treatments That Can Help You Deal With The Subcutaneous Fat
At Body Lab Studio in Myrtle Beach, we specialise in reshaping the body by addressing subcutaneous fat. These are not quick fixes, but they are effective tools that make a real difference when paired with a sensible lifestyle.
Laser Lipo or Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)
- Uses red and near-infrared light to shrink fat cells.
- Clients typically notice inch loss in stubborn areas like the waist, hips, or thighs.
- According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, reductions of around two centimetres have been observed after several sessions.
Results are visible, non-invasive, and come without downtime.
Ultrasonic Cavitation (Cavitation RF)
- Uses ultrasonic sound waves to break down fat cells in problem areas.
- The body naturally processes and eliminates the broken-down fat.
- Highly effective for reshaping localised areas such as love handles, thighs, or stomach.
- Only targets subcutaneous fat, not visceral.
Infrared Fitness Sessions
- Combines infrared heat with cardio exercise on a treadmill, climber, or elliptical.
- Infrared heat increases circulation and metabolism while exercise burns calories.
- A study published on ResearchGate showed that combining infrared with exercise enhances fat loss compared to exercise alone.
- Especially popular among clients who want to sweat, burn, and tone in a more efficient way.
Additional Sculpting and Wellness Services
- LPG Endermologie: Improves skin tone and reduces cellulite.
- EMS Sculpting: Stimulates muscle contractions for firming and strengthening.
- Vacutherapy and Body Roll Machines: Boost circulation, aid lymphatic drainage, and smooth out skin.
- Wellness Pods: Support recovery, relaxation, and general well-being.
These services are about more than just fat loss. They help clients feel energised, recover faster, and stay motivated through their journey.
What Science Says About Visceral Fat Reduction?
Now, let us shift focus to visceral fat. This is where honesty matters. The science is unambiguous: visceral fat requires systemic change, not surface treatments.
What doesn’t work for visceral fat?
- LLLT and Red or Infrared Light Therapy: Studies show small reductions in waist or hip measurements (Healthline) but no meaningful effect on visceral fat.
- Ultrasonic Cavitation: Works only on subcutaneous fat.
Standalone Infrared Treatments: Without exercise and calorie control, results are minimal and do not reach visceral fat.
What does work for visceral fat?
Here are the strategies that consistently reduce visceral fat:
- Nutrition: Maintain a calorie deficit by reducing processed foods and focusing on whole, nutrient-dense meals.
- Exercise:
- Aerobic exercise such as walking, running, or cycling.
- Resistance training to build muscle and improve metabolism.
- High-intensity interval training (HIIT) which has been proven to significantly reduce abdominal and visceral fat (Wikipedia).
- Aerobic exercise such as walking, running, or cycling.
- Lifestyle habits:
- Sleep: Aim for 7–9 hours of restorative sleep each night.
- Sleep: Aim for 7–9 hours of restorative sleep each night.
Stress management: Chronic stress increases cortisol which is linked to fat storage around the abdomen.
Side-by-Side Comparison of the Treatments
Treatment/Approach | Targets Subcutaneous Fat | Targets Visceral Fat | Evidence Strength |
Laser Lipo / LLLT | Yes | No | Moderate (short-term studies) |
Ultrasonic Cavitation | Yes | No | Strong for subcutaneous |
Infrared Fitness + Cardio | Yes (visible inch loss) | Indirect support | Moderate (when combined with exercise) |
LPG, EMS, Wellness Pods | Yes (skin, tone, circulation) | No | Supportive evidence |
Diet and Exercise | Yes (systemic) | Yes | Strong, proven |
Sleep and Stress Management | Indirect support | Yes | Strong, proven |
Setting Realistic Expectations
Body Lab Studio treatments are incredibly effective for what they are designed to do. We can help you:
- Slim stubborn areas of subcutaneous fat
- Improve the appearance of cellulite
- Tighten and tone the skin
- Enhance circulation and lymphatic flow
- Boost recovery and keep you motivated
But let us be direct: no non-invasive treatment currently available can specifically reduce visceral fat. That is why we never overpromise. The most powerful path forward is to combine what we offer with a lifestyle that prioritises diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management. Together, this creates a comprehensive approach that tackles both the fat you can see and the fat you cannot.
Conclusion
Subcutaneous fat and visceral fat are not the same, and knowing the difference puts you ahead of the curve. Subcutaneous fat is the pinchable, visible layer we can target directly with treatments like laser lipo, ultrasonic cavitation, and infrared fitness. Visceral fat is deeper, more dangerous, and requires systemic changes through lifestyle.
At Body Lab Studio in Myrtle Beach, our mission is to help you reshape your body, regain confidence, and support you on the journey. Our treatments are not a replacement for healthy habits, but they are the perfect complement. They deliver visible results, boost motivation, and keep you committed to the bigger picture.
If you are ready to stop guessing and start seeing real results, come visit us at Body Lab Studio. Together we can create a plan that helps you slim down, tone up, and feel better inside and out.
References
- Byrdie. How to Lose Fat: The Differences Between Subcutaneous and Visceral Fat. Available at: https://www.byrdie.com/how-to-lose-fat
- National Library of Medicine. Efficacy of Low-Level Laser Therapy for Body Contouring and Spot Fat Reduction. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5225499/
- Healthline. Does Red Light Therapy Work for Weight Loss? Available at: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/red-light-therapy-weight-loss
- ResearchGate. Effects of Near Infrared Light Application Combined with Aerobic Exercise on Excessive Abdominal Fat and Obesity. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/274183123_Effects_of_Near_Infrared_light_Application_Combined_with_Aerobic_Exercise_on_Excessive_Abdominal_Fat_and_Obesity
- Body Contouring Academy. Game-Changing Findings About Red and Near-Infrared Light to Command Weight Loss Results. Available at: https://bodycontouringacademy.com/game-changing-findings-about-red-and-near-infra-red-light-to-command-weight-loss-results/
- Wikipedia. High-Intensity Interval Training. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-intensity_interval_training
