You’ve been eating right and exercising, but it’s just not working — those extra pockets of fat around your hips won’t budge. You’ve thought about liposuction, but you don’t want the downtime from work or side effects from surgery. Turns out, there is another option: laser lipolysis.
Laser lipolysis (laser lipo) is a cosmetic procedure where your doctor uses heat from lasers to melt and remove pockets of unwanted body fat. It’s safe, and your doctor performs it in their office while you’re awake. Laser lipo offers faster recovery time and fewer risks than surgical liposuction, which is a major surgery that requires anesthesia and a recovery period of up to six months.
Types of laser lipolysis
Laser lipo can be noninvasive or minimally invasive.
Noninvasive laser lipolysis. In this, your doctor doesn’t cut your skin. It involves applying a laser applicator on top of your skin.
Minimally invasive laser lipolysis. Your doctor will apply a local anesthetic to numb your skin. They’ll then make a tiny cut in your skin, where they’ll place the laser applicator.
Both noninvasive and minimally invasive laser lipo are effective. Talk to your surgeon about which method might be right for you.
How Is Laser Lipolysis Done?
The process of your procedure depends on whether it's noninvasive or minimally invasive.
Noninvasive laser lipo
A noninvasive laser lipo procedure takes about half an hour, and you can return to normal activity right away.
To do the procedure, your doctor attaches paddle-like applicators to the area to be treated. The paddles emit heat that enters your skin and heats up the fat cells underneath. This damages the membranes of the fat cells. The fat cells start to die off, and your body absorbs them.
You’ll see initial results in about six weeks and more noticeable results within three months. Some people need more than one treatment for optimal results.
The recovery is very easy. Most people can resume normal activity the same day, but they may encounter some soreness or redness at the treatment site.
Plastic surgeons recommend laser lipo for removing fat from specific areas, including:
- Belly
- Flanks
- Back
- Inner and outer thighs
Minimally invasive laser lipo
Laser-assisted liposuction is a minimally invasive type of laser lipo. It differs from laser lipo in that it combines elements of surgical liposuction with the use of a laser to destroy fat cells.
You’ll be awake for the whole procedure. Your doctor will numb the treatment site with a local anesthetic. They will then make a small incision and insert a laser into the fat tissue underneath your skin. The laser will rupture the fat cells and liquefy the fat.
Next, your doctor will use a narrow tube (cannula) to suction the fat out of your body. Unlike traditional liposuction, there is minimal damage to the other tissue around the treatment site. You’re also less likely to bruise or swell after the procedure.
You may have some discomfort for a few days afterward. Your doctor might suggest wearing a compression garment to lessen swelling. You’ll need to care for your incisions to prevent infection. You’ll most likely be able to resume your regular activities within a day or two.
You’ll be able to see some changes right away. The results will continue to improve over the next few weeks.
This procedure can remove fat pockets from many areas of the body, such as your:
- Abdomen
- Buttocks
- Face (cheeks, chin)
- Hips
- Knees
- Neck
- Thighs
- Upper arms
- Waist
What Are the Benefits of Laser Lipolysis?
In most cases, laser lipo is a safe way to remove unwanted body fat. Benefits include:
- Fast recovery time
- Minimal downtime (You can resume normal activities within days)
- Less pain, swelling, and bruising than liposuction
One of the biggest benefits of laser lipo is that it encourages the body to make more collagen, a protein that makes your skin tight and firm. This means your skin is less likely to sag than with liposuction.
What are the risks of laser lipolysis?
Risks of this procedure are rare but may include:
- Pain or discomfort
- Redness
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Lumpiness under the skin (nodules)
Side effects are normally temporary and go away without treatment.
How do you prepare for laser lipolysis?
Your doctor will give you instructions for what to do on the day of the procedure, but in the days leading up to your laser lipo, tell your doctor about any medications you’re taking. Stop taking blood thinners and nonsteroidal inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, as they can increase your risk for bleeding. If you smoke, quit, and avoid alcohol for 24 hours before your procedure.
What is the recovery process for laser lipolysis?
That depends on whether you have noninvasive or minimally invasive laser lipo. Both procedures offer a fast recovery.
For noninvasive laser lipo, you can resume normal activities right away, in most cases. With minimally invasive laser lipo, your doctor may want you to wait a few days. They may also recommend that you avoid intense activities, such as strength training, for a few weeks.
Takeaways
Laser lipolysis (laser lipo) is a cosmetic procedure that uses heat from lasers to melt and remove unwanted pockets of body fat. It’s a safe alternative to traditional liposuction, which requires major surgery and a six-week recovery period. Your doctor performs laser lipo in their office while you’re awake. Benefits include a short recovery time and few, if any, side effects. Most people begin to see results in six weeks.
Laser Lipolysis FAQs
How many sessions of laser lipolysis are usually needed?
Most people need one to two treatments for each body part, but each person is different. Talk to your doctor about what’s best for you.
Who is a good candidate for laser lipolysis?
You may be a good candidate for this procedure if you:
- Are in good health
- Don’t smoke or can quit before treatment
- Have isolated pockets of removable fat
- Have realistic expectations about results
Is laser lipolysis permanent?
Laser lipo destroys and removes pesky fat cells for good. But you’ll need to eat right and exercise to maintain a healthy weight and slim frame.
