Body contouring is a trend that will never end. I had my first treatment back in 2010 — and wow, it hurt. The Medispa (definitely not Actual Body) promised Thermage would fix my stretch marks and sagging skin. It didn’t. My distended tummy was something I had to learn to accept. Thankfully, the new generation of body contouring treatments is gentle — almost like a feather — and it comes alongside a growing body-acceptance movement that feels long overdue.
Actual Body Puts Custom Body Contouring in Your Hands
Actual Body focuses on two cutting-edge treatments: Acoustic Wave Therapy and Autologous Exosome Therapy. With three dedicated treatment rooms, the team is steadfast in the process. It’s not about becoming the next Kardashian; it’s about accepting your unique body type and supporting the wellness outcome associated with each treatment.
Harnessing soundwaves to disrupt fat molecules, body contouring is only part of the offerings. Yes, cellulite and fat loss are physical outcomes, but targeted pain relief and sexual rejuvenation can be treated, too.
How It Works
Sonia di Roma specializes in Body Contouring treatments and feels like a healer more than your typical therapist. So much of our time together is focused on holistic healing and being in tune with my body. This is not just diet and exercise, but a true connection that feels nurturing at times.
Body contouring sounds so superficial, but in her hands, it’s therapy. She starts by measuring, assessing your body type and asking what your goals are. In my case, I have an hourglass figure (her words), but not a flat belly. She suggests working on my middle to get maximum results. “I don’t say you might lose. I guarantee you will lose. We always give a range; there’s no rhyme or reason for how much. The fat cells you lose are permanently eradicated.”
Photos are taken for before-and-after comparisons. The targeted treatment is best done in stacks of 4-6 treatments, with at least 3-5 days off between sessions. The 40-minute soundwave treatment is 100% pain-free. There is a minor high-frequency pitch that may be slightly annoying but completely forgettable after a few moments. That’s it!
Post soundwaves, Sonia treats the zone with a ‘knuckling massage’. She presses and gently rolls her knuckles over your skin, and in my case, you can hear popping sounds. “I’m treating the upper and lower intestinal tracts, bloating, GI issues, and gas. I go to town popping those bubbles. Everything is within us to be well and rejuvenated. That’s the premise. The fat loss treatment is not like any other treatment.”
It’s like getting a good massage, just on your abdomen. Sonia pulls you into her world, and you feel safe in her compassionate hands. Be open, be relaxed; there is no preparation or special post-treatment considerations.
Actual Body Breakdown
Using low-frequency ultrasound, the heat generated targets our fat bands that lie above our organs. Over time, fat molecules collect and build, creating pockets that start to calcify. Stubborn fat. The ultrasound heats up the fat molecules, and with Sonia’s trademark knuckling, they pop like popcorn. You can actually feel and hear them pop.
I lost an impressive 1.2″ in my first treatment. I probably lost a little more, as my lymphatic system continued to drain post-session. As Sonia puts it, “Your liver, spleen, and gall bladder all step up to do their jobs and eliminate the rest.” It’s releasing what has exploded. All in all, it’s quite relaxing.
From Tattoos to Body Treatments
Ricky Fung, the entrepreneur behind Canada’s well-known tattoo studio Chronic Ink, is behind Actual Body. Fung, who built Chronic Ink into one of the country’s most recognized tattoo brands, says the same principles that guided his work in external self-expression now inform his approach to internal health and confidence.
“At Actual Body, we approach wellness by helping people understand themselves and find solutions that work sustainably,” Fung explains. “It’s not about changing who you are, but about embracing it.”
Its focus is science-backed, stigma-free treatments for men and women. And that goes beyond just body contouring, but we’ll save that for a separate post!
Body Contouring that’s Customized For You
Sonia suggests a minimum of four treatments to see the full result. Weddings, honeymoons, post-surgery reveals, there is no bad time to tuck into this treatment. For women in menopause with stubborn belly fat, this is a game-changer.
While I was invited to try a session with Sonia for this piece, I did buy a package on the way out. I am committed to the process! The space feels so cocoon-like, its size is boutique, with a vibrant, warm charm that is anything but clinical.
It’s not often you get results immediately and immediately feel better, too. Actual Body is a special spot that’s a step up from the others.
Find Actual Body at 4773 Yonge Street (Unit 3D). Follow them @actualbody
Images by Libby Roach.