With the busy lives that so many of us lead today, it is hard to get our figures looking exactly how we want. Most of us have some annoying fat in one or more of our body parts that just won’t go away no matter what we do.
Numerous cosmetic procedures utilize lasers to break down or destroy fat. Some of these liposuction techniques are minimally invasive, while others are noninvasive.
Laser Liposuction (Minimally Invasive)
Minimally invasive laser liposuction is an updated version of the classic liposuction. This procedure uses a cannula with a laser-emitting attachment, inserted through a small incision in the targeted body part, to liquefy fat tissue. This melted fat is then removed using a vacuum-like head attached to the cannula.
Since it requires a minor incision, anesthesia is a necessary part of the equation, though only local anesthesia is needed. Each session should be around one hour long. Examples of treatment methods that fall under this category include Sono Bello’s TriSculpt procedure, SmartLipo, and Elite Body Sculpture’s AirSculpt.
Laser Liposuction (Noninvasive)
Noninvasive laser liposuction techniques do not require any incisions or anesthesia; everything instead is done from the exterior of the skin. Pads are placed on the treated area to heat the fat underneath the skin, without damaging any tissue, muscles, or surrounding organs. Later on, the body flushes out the melted fat on its own.
Several devices use this fat-reduction technique, many of which we review below. Examples include Zerona and SculpSure.
Zerona
This technology has been FDA-approved since 2010, and since then, it has been quickly gaining popularity. The procedure uses a precise technique, called low-level laser therapy, which singles out the content inside the fat cells and liquefies them. The fat cells themselves remain but become hollow; all the material removed is later flushed from the system naturally.
One of the main benefits of this technology is how comfortable it is. Zerona is a cold laser treatment but does not drop to temperatures as low as CoolSculpting, which at points can be so cold it is uncomfortable. The best areas to treat with this technology are the abdomen, thighs, back, arms, neck, knees, and love handles.
SculpSure
SculpSure is another FDA-approved, noninvasive laser procedure designed to remove fat. Sessions last roughly 25 to 30 minutes, and lasers are used to target fat cells and heat them until the structure collapses. Cooling mechanisms are used to ensure the skin is not damaged during the procedure. As with other noninvasive laser lipo procedures, the SculpSure machine may cause minor discomfort but in general, will not cause significant pain. One SculpSure session will result in a 24 percent reduction of fat in the treated body part, per clinical data from the procedure’s creator.
TruSculpt
Another noninvasive procedure that has been approved by the FDA, TruSculpt can be safely used on the abdomen, love handles, arms, neck, thighs, and back. Like SculpSure, the procedure will prompt a 24 percent reduction of fat in the targeted area, according to the company that developed the method. Importantly, you should know that this type of procedure technically is not an example of laser liposuction. It instead uses radiofrequency energy emitted through hand-held devices to heat up and kill fat cells, not just cause them to empty their contents. While TruSculpt sessions will be slightly quicker (15 minutes, on average), they may induce pain that might be unbearable for some.