What Is Fluffy Fat and How Do I Get Rid of It in Orange County?

Fluffy fat, also known as subcutaneous fat, is part of the inner layer of the skin, along with connective tissue. Also called the subcutaneous layer of skin, this inner layer of fat helps regulate your body temperature and contains blood vessels and nerves.

Fluffy fat is one of two types of fatty tissue, the other being visceral fat. The amount of subcutaneous fat in each person depends on the person's genetic makeup.

Although fluffy fat has several essential functions in the body, too much can be harmful to one's health. Subcutaneous fat can be controlled with a calorie-balanced, nutritious diet and adequate exercise.

Subcutaneous Fat in the Body

Subcutaneous fat is located under the skin and over the muscles. Men and women typically have a different distribution of fluffy fat, with women having more on their hips and thighs. In most people, subcutaneous fat makes up about 90 percent of the body.

How much fluffy fat you have depends on your genetics and lifestyle. Diet and exercise are essential in controlling the amount of subcutaneous fat.

The Role of Subcutaneous Fat

Subcutaneous fat plays several essential roles in the body.

1. Energy storage: it stores energy in lipids for later use and protects your muscles from shock damage. Nerves and blood vessels use this deep layer of fat for transport between your muscles and other layers of skin.
2. Part of skin structure: this layer of fat is also part of the inner layer of skin (hypodermis) and connects the middle layer of skin (epidermis) to muscles and bones.
3. Can reduce inflammation: Research has shown that subcutaneous fat can play a protective role in the body regarding the endocrine system and inflammation.
4. It helps produce hormones: adipose tissue produces leptin - which helps control feelings of hunger and satiety - and estrogen.

Is fluffy fat dangerous? Too much subcutaneous and visceral fat carries certain risks, including insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis, metabolic syndrome, and hypertension.

What Causes Excessive Fluffy Fat?

All people are born with fluffy fat. How much subcutaneous fat you store is reliant on several factors, including:

1. Activity level: lots of sedentary work is associated with a more significant deposition of subcutaneous fat, mainly by storing excess calories rather than using them for exercise.
2. Diet: consuming more calories than necessary for daily activity can lead to additional subcutaneous fat.
3. Genetics: your genetics help determine where and how much fat you store in certain parts of your body. The role of genetics in BMI levels and fat storage is still being researched. 
4. Insulin resistance or diabetes: metabolic disorders can lead to excessive fat storage and make it more difficult to break down fat.
5. Aging: Aging can lead to a loss of subcutaneous fat but an increase in visceral fat.
6. Hormonal status: Excessive amounts of cortisol, a stress hormone, can lead to subcutaneous fat deposits. The hormone leptin regulates the feeling of hunger and can influence weight gain.

Getting Rid of Fluffy Fat

If you want to avoid the dangers of fluffy fat and change your body's aesthetic, AirSculpt® procedures can provide you with the ideal results in the most optimal manner. Whether it's a small fat deposit on the belly or a combined fat removal and transfer, our technique enables you to achieve dramatic results seamlessly. 

AirSculpt® procedures are hardly comparable with traditional surgery and liposuction. Instead of using an invasive surgical process, AirSculpt® opts for a patented and minimally invasive approach, void of scalpels, stitches, needles, and general anesthesia.

Because of the minimally invasive nature of our fat removal procedures, patients can undergo an easy recovery; they don't have to worry about noticeable scarring, only have to deal with 48 hours of downtime, and are assured beautiful, natural-looking results.

To work with the next generation of body sculpting, call our newly opened Orange County fat removal office or any of the 20+ AirSculpt® locations worldwide to schedule your in-person or complimentary consultation.