Laser Lipolysis: Is It Safe?

Diet and exercise are essential for our healthy being. One of the biggest psychological factors behind all this is the desire to look good and the paunchy stomach and heavy thighs actually do not do good for the morale especially when one is exercising and dieting well.

Sometimes the fat pockets just refuse to go away and can give an odd shape to the body with loose skin. The localized fat that causes bulge at the abdomen is the one thing that people worry about the most and it is most difficult to get rid of. This is where the laser lipolysis or laser liposuction procedure comes to help.

Yes, it is a completely safe procedure that gives positive results with even most stubborn fat pockets. Lasers of different wavelengths have become a very popular in different types of skin treatments in the recent years. The reason being that lasers do not harm the skin, don’t need any incisions and can be used on all skin types for successful results.

How is laser lipolysis done?

This is not a surgical procedure and the total time taken for the entire treatment is less than one hour. It is considered an alternative to traditional liposuction and aims to achieve body contouring and fat reduction. Here is how the simple procedure works

1. Anaesthesia: Before the procedure begins, the area to be treated is cleaned and local anaesthesia or tumescent anaesthesia (a solution containing lidocaine and epinephrine) is administered to numb the treatment area and minimize discomfort.
2. Incision: Small incisions, typically less than half an inch in length, are made in the targeted area. These incisions serve as entry points for the insertion of the laser fiber and other surgical instruments.
3. Laser energy delivery: A thin laser fiber is inserted through the incisions into the subcutaneous fat layer. The laser emits energy that specifically targets and disrupts fat cells while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues.
4. Fat emulsification: The laser energy is absorbed by the fat cells, causing them to heat, rupture and liquefy. This process is known as fat emulsification. The liquefied fat is then easier to remove from the body.The melted fat then moves into the interstitial fluid and is flushed out by the natural lymphatic system of the body
5. Fat removal: After the fat cells have been disrupted, a cannula (a thin tube) is inserted through the incisions to suction out the emulsified fat from the treatment area. This step helps contour the area and remove excess fat.
6. Incision closure: Once the fat removal and contouring are complete, the incisions are typically closed with sutures or adhesive strips. Depending on the technique used, the incisions may be so small that they do not require stitches.

There is another kind of laser lipolysis and that is the Non-invasive laser lipolysis in which the laser destroys the fat cells under the skin and they are eliminated from the body through the natural drainage channel.

The benefits of laser lipolysis that make it one of the safest fat removal procedures

Apart from being less invasive than the traditional surgical liposuction, laser liposuction has many more advantages such as

• Skin tightening: In addition to fat removal, the laser energy also stimulates collagen production in the skin. This can lead to skin tightening and improved overall contouring of the treated area.
• It can be used to treat multiple areas in one seating such as abdomen, arms, back, thigs and chin.
• The patient will notice immediate change and improvement in the appearance of the areas that are being treated.
• There are no large incisions made and local anaesthesia is used and hence there is very less chance of difficult complications or side effects.
• Laser lipolysis has more accurate results than the other methods of body contouring.
• It is an outpatient procedure without any need of an overnight stay in the hospital, and the patient can go home the same day to resume the normal daily activities sans rigours exercises for next few days.
• The treatment has a quick recovery time and does not require repeat visits to the cosmetic clinic.
• Laser lipolysis can be safely combined with other popular cosmetic procedures such as tummy tucks, breast augmentation, face lifts etc. for full body contouring.
• There is less risk of patient having loose skin as compared to surgical liposuction.

Results of laser lipolysis

Noticeable reduction in the fat of the treated areas is the first thing that one will notice after the laser lipolysis procedure. Usually, multiple sessions are necessary to target the fat pockets and given even results. Over time the patient will also notice tightening of the skin and improved elasticity.

It is important to remember that lipolysis is not a weight loss procedure, it only removes the body fat volume. On an average the patient can see up to 9.5% reduction in body fat. One needs to follow a healthy lifestyle routine to maintain the results for long term. The final results depend on the overall health of the patient and the amount of fat being targeted. It’s essential to consult with a qualified and experienced cosmetic surgeon to determine if laser lipolysis is suitable for your specific needs and goals. They can assess your candidacy, explain the procedure in more detail, and provide personalized recommendations based on your individual circumstances

Side effects and risks of laser lipolysis

The treatment carries very minimal risk and side effects such as

• Some bruising and swelling: The area of body which is treated might be swollen or bruised immediately post laser lipolysis. This is very normal and your practitioner will give you compression garment to wear to reduce the swelling and bruising. These will go away in 10 days though some tenderness might remain in the area for up to a month.
• Numbness or sensitivity on the skin: Since laser targets the fat cells and helps build more collagen in the skin, it can cause some numbness or high sensitivity on the skin as the skin heals to become more toned and firmer.
• Irregular body shape: this is a temporary side effect of laser lipolysis. This happens become it takes the boy about three to six months to absorb the fat and one might see the effects till then. However, in case of minimally invasive procedure, the results are visible immediately and keep improving. Hence it is important to chose the best cosmetic surgeon for the procedure to ensure the body contouring is even and smooth.
• Increased appearance of cellulite and it can also cause dimpling in the skin.

It is a myth that laser lipolysis has high rates of infection. Infection rarely happens and when it does it is only because the wound has not healed properly.

Another myth is that laser lipolysis affects internal organs. Laser does not damage the liver or any other internal organs in the body or cause any form of cancer.

Who is a suitable candidate for laser lipolysis?

• A healthy male or female with stable weight with BMI of 30-35 and lower, but are bothered by the fat pockets can opt for laser lipolysis provided they are committed to maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine.
• If you are pregnant then wait for minimum of 8 weeks post childbirth to go for fat reduction treatments. Before that time period the skin is very stretched and this coupled with the hormonal changes in body can cause the results to be uneven. The laser lipolysis treatment does not affect pregnancies later in life.
• Laser lipolysis can also be done for people with diabetes provided they keep the sugar levels under the strict control.

The procedure is not recommended for people who have a heart disease, weak immune system and problem with blood flow or autoimmune condition. Laser lipolysis is also not done for menopausal women, or people who have implant, blood clots or suffer from vascular conditions or use a pacemaker.

Laser lipolysis cost

The cost of laser lipolysis in India can vary depending on several factors, including the geographical location, the reputation and expertise of the clinic or surgeon, the extent of treatment required, and the specific areas being targeted for fat reduction. Generally, the cost of laser lipolysis in India can range from ₹50,000 to ₹2,00,000 or more.

The actual cost may differ based on individual circumstances and the specific clinic you choose. It is advisable to consult with a reputable cosmetic surgeon or clinic in your area to get an accurate assessment of the cost for your desired treatment. They will be able to evaluate your specific requirements and provide a personalized cost estimate.