In the ever-evolving cosmetic procedure market, it is easy to get overwhelmed and confused when trying to select the best option for you. For those specifically looking to remove excess fat, the prospect of choosing gets even more difficult thanks to the variety of available procedures.
From traditional liposuction to laser liposuction to cryolipolysis to injections, just to name few, the list of widely offered fat-reduction treatments is seemingly endless. This article will narrow its focus on the two variations of one of the most popular options today—laser liposuction—and explore how long it takes results to appear after both methods.
Laser liposuction uses the extreme heat produced by lasers to melt and liquefy the fat in our bodies. This description oversimplifies the procedure(s), as laser lipo refers to both an internal, minimally invasive treatment as well as an external, noninvasive one.
Internal Laser Liposuction
First, let’s talk about minimally invasive laser liposuction. This technique uses a thin, tube-like tool called a cannula with a laser-emitting head attached to it. First, a small incision is made in the treated area, and then the cannula is inserted. The cannula directly applies laser heat to liquefy fat deposits, which makes for a seamless extraction using a vacuum-like head attached to the cannula later on.
Following this version of the procedure, the results begin becoming apparent immediately because the fat is sucked out directly after liquefication. Note that the higher degree of invasiveness is also one of the reasons why the side effects are harsher than in noninvasive laser liposuction. After all, this version is a more traumatic experience for the body.
Some of the most notable risks and side effects associated with minimally invasive laser liposuction are the following:
- Tightness in the treated area
- Numbness
- Redness and itchiness
- Risk of infection due to the incision
- Adverse reaction to the anesthesia
- Recovery time of about two days
While you will see changes right away, it will take time for the bruising to go down and the full benefits to kick in. Expect to wait a month for the swelling to subside, and up to six months for effects to appear completely. These effects include the skin-tightening benefits provided by minimally invasive laser liposuction.
External Laser Liposuction
The second version of the procedure is noninvasive, although it similarly uses extreme heat to melt undesired fat. A key difference is that this version uses an applicator placed on the skin surface to break down fat cells without damaging the skin or underlying tissues. The body later flushes out the liquefied fat naturally in about three to four weeks.
The results take more time to appear after noninvasive laser liposuction because this natural process requires the body to break down and decompose the melted fat. This process can take more than a month, and most patients will require multiple sessions to achieve their desired appearance. While results do take more time to become evident, contrary to the internal method, the number of risks and side effects pale in comparison. Plus, there is no recovery time associated with external laser liposuction, whereas the invasive type requires a couple of days to recover. Each of these sessions takes about 30 minutes, and afterward, you can continue your regular daily activities.
Some of the most common side effects associated with noninvasive laser lipo are:
- Redness
- Mild Itchiness
- Mild Tenderness