Can You Use Oil With Cavitation Machine? Examining Coconut Oil & Other Mediums

Cavitation treatments have also become a non-surgical favorite for body sculpting and reducing fat. This ultrasonic wave-based technology with high frequencies focuses and breaks down fat cells, and offers a safer and more non-invasive option compared to traditional liposuction. 

While success with cavitation treatments primarily depends upon the quality and settings of the machine, a very critical factor that goes unobserved in these treatments is the use in them of a conductive medium. In this article, we explore whether oil, and coconut oil in specific, can be utilized with cavitation machines and provide some tips and best practices to get best results.

How Cavitation Machines Work

The Basics of Ultrasound Technology

Ultrasound cavitation machines release high frequency ultrasonic waves that penetrate skin and fatty tissues. The waves produce tiny bubbles in fat cells, which expand and contract very fast, producing a mechanical effect that breaks fat cells. The cavitation effect disintegrates fat cells into very tiny particles, which can be metabolized and eliminated by the body.

The Need for a Conductive Medium

Cavitation can be effective only in a conductive medium. The medium provides a means by which ultrasonic waves can be passed from cavitation machines to fat tissue. Without a medium, ultrasonic waves may not penetrate deeply or uniformly and thus reduce the effectiveness of the procedure. The use of water-based gels (ultrasound gel) to such a purpose is by far the most widespread, as they provide a perfect consistency and improve cavitation machines' performance in general.

Why Are Water-Based Gels Preferred?

Superior Conductivity

Water gels offer a more suitable medium for cavitation treatments because they have high conductivity in comparison to oil-based products. The gels have been designed to offer improved ultrasonic wave transmission to ensure effective energy transfer to fatty tissue. This leads to effective body contouring and fat breakdown.

Water gels contain propylene glycol and glycerin, which provide ultrasonic stability to produce a smooth cavitation. The gels also give a gliding surface to the applicator to enable it to glide smoothly across skin without friction or discomfort.

Even and Uniform Application

Water-based gels also offer a consistent delivery of energy to the desired area. This consistent application is required in order to achieve consistent results because uneven application can result in areas of the body receiving more or less treatment and consequently uneven fat reduction.

Can You Use Oil With Cavitation Machine?

There are certain problems in using oil or oil-based mediums for RF or Cavitation treatments.

Lack of Conductivity

While there are many skin benefits from the usage of oils like coconut oil, the oils will not be beneficial for cavitation therapies. The biggest issue with oil therapies is the low conductivity. Coconut oil and oil are typically denser, and the ultrasonic waves therefore struggle penetrating through the fat cells. This inhibits cavitation and makes it not have as strong an effect, reducing the efficacy of the treatment.

Reduced Treatment Effectiveness

Oil as a medium can act as a barrier between the ultrasonic waves and the skin and thereby inhibit the penetration of the ultrasonic waves into the fat tissue. This can result in incomplete or abnormal fat breakdown and thereby may not give the desired body shape. Oil can also inhibit cavitation under some circumstances and render the treatment ineffective.

Can You Use Coconut Oil with Cavitation Machines?

Coconut oil has a history as a skin moisturizer and anti aging product. Coconut oil consists of fatty acids and antioxidants and can be added to skin treatments to hydrate, soothe, and protect skin. Coconut oil can give you great skin health, but it's not to be mixed with cavitation machines. 

So, Can I use coconut oil with cavitation machine? Of all cavitation treatments, coconut oil's worst issue is that it's not very conductive. Coconut oil's density does not let ultrasonic waves pass through it very effectively, and that can keep the treatment from being able to effectively disintegrate fat cells. This makes coconut oil a poor choice for cavitation.

The Pros and Cons of Coconut Oil as a Medium

Pros:

• Rich in antioxidants and fatty acids
• Hydrates and moisturizes the skin.
• Anti-inflammatory and calming properties.

Cons:

• Poor conduction for ultrasonic waves.
• May interfere with the cavitation process and make the treatment ineffective.
• May lead to excessive fat loss.

Recommended Alternatives to Oil

Water Based Conductive Gels

Gels with water are the most used option for treating cavitation. The slimming gels are formulated with the purpose of enhancing the passage of the ultrasonic waves and therefore the most suitable medium for the disintegration of the fat and the reshaping of the body. The gels are smooth and are easy to apply with a smooth feeling and provide uniform delivery of the energy to the target site. With the water-based gel, you are guaranteed ultrasonic waves pass through the skin and shatter the fat cells. It will yield better results and make cavitation overall more efficient.

Aloe Vera Gel

While water-based gels are the best option, aloe vera gel can also be used. Aloe vera gel is hydrating and soothing and can be used with sensitive skin. It is a good conductor for ultrasonic but not as good as cavitation gels. Aloe vera gel is a good option for the person who would like a natural option, but the best results are with water-based gels.

Best Practices For Cavitation Treatment

Ensuring Best Results

To achieve best results from your cavitation treatments, you will want to follow instructions from the manufacturer. These instructions may involve using specific gels or conductive media that best suit ultrasonic technology and frequency RF settings being applied in cavitation machine. 

Having a right gel ensures ultrasound waves travel effectively to fat tissue, making the treatment as effective as possible for weight loss and body contouring. It's also necessary to follow after-treatment care in order to be able to contribute to supporting the lymphatic system in the body and to ensure that fat cells get metabolized and excreted efficiently.

Post-treatment Care

Proper aftercare plays a very important part in contributing to supporting the body's natural release of fat. After a cavitation session, you'll want to drink plenty of water and adhere to any additional care instructions from your therapist. Periodic massaging to the affected area can also be effective in assisting in stimulation of the lymphatic system to release broken-down fat cells from the body.

Conclusion

Coconut oil and a few select oils can be beneficial to skin health, but they do not work effectively with cavitation machines because they have low conductivity. The best way to get optimum cavitation treatments remain water-based gels. Following manufacturer instructions and utilizing recommended conductive media, you can be assured that your cavitation treatments have optimum results, resulting in smoother, defined skin and skin tightening.