Considered a “breakthrough in plastic surgery,” laser-assisted lipolysis is a relatively new method to get rid of fat without resorting to traditional liposuction. But how does it really work? Dr. Pooja Malik of Mullica Hill Skincare in Mullica Hill, New Jersey, talks here about this less-invasive treatment.
Laser-assisted lipolysis is a procedure where selective heat is delivered to the fat underneath the skin. It is absorbed by the fat and converted into heat energy. It is done through passage of a laser fiber underneath the skin via small puncture holes made in the skin.
The 1064 wavelength is absorbed nicely by the fat cells, which make them rupture by absorption of the energy of the laser, making it easy for fat aspiration. This can then lead to permanent volume reduction of fat.
How It Works
The patient gets numbed through a local numbing fluid which is infiltrated in the area being treated, then via the small puncture holes made in the skin the laser fiber is passed through. It delivers the specific amounts of heat and energy, which melt the subcutaneous fat. Later on, the fat is aspirated via special canulas, resulting in volume reduction.
This procedure is pain-free, with the patient being awake throughout the entire procedure. Depending on the area being done, usually the treatment can last anywhere from two to four hours. But patients are allowed breaks.
After the infiltration of the numbing fluid, which takes about 30 minutes, the patient gets a break for about 15 minutes. And depending on the area, the laser-assisted lipolysis can take another 45 minutes to two hours, depending on how large the area is.
Advantages of Laser-Assisted Lipolysis
The advantage is that smaller areas can be targeted such as the chin, inner thighs, calves, and also the arms and the fat above the knee. Larger areas can include the upper abdomen, the lower abdomen, the love handles, the waist, the upper back, the outer and inner thighs, the arms and the neck.
Laser-assisted lipolysis is also much less invasive than traditional liposuction, which used to be the primary method used by plastic surgeons to remove fat, although not as much fat can be removed. If you are interested, just make sure you have this procedure – and any med spa procedure – carried out by a skilled and board-certified medical professional.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
