Laser Lipolysis Results: What Happens to Fat?

Laser lipolysis uses heat to destroy fat cells and remove fatty tissue from targeted areas. It is commonly called laser lipo or laser body sculpting, which can reduce small pockets of fat in stubborn areas but won't result in significant weight loss. If you're considering cosmetic laser lipolysis but aren't sure how this body-contouring procedure works—or whether it works at all—read on.

This article explains how noninvasive laser lipo works, what happens to the fat, how many lipo laser treatments are needed to see results, and gives some estimated out-of-pocket costs.

Purpose of Laser Lipolysis

Laser lipolysis is a procedure used to remove fat. There are two types of laser lipolysis. The first type is minimally invasive, and is called laser-assisted liposuction (LAL). It requires tiny surgical skin incisions through which a micro-laser attached to a cannula (small tube) is inserted into the fat under the skin.

After the laser liquefies targeted areas of fatty tissue, the fat is sucked out (liposuction) through a hollow cannula.

The other type of laser lipolysis is noninvasive and called nonsurgical laser lipolysis. Small blocks are attached to a handpiece pressed against the skin. Its lasers are calibrated to a specific wavelength that penetrates the skin and melts fat cells below the surface without burning the outer layers of the skin. In the weeks and months following the procedure, broken-down fatty tissue is gradually removed via the lymphatic system.

Do People See Results?

One 25-minute session of noninvasive laser lipo can destroy 24% of the fat cells in the targeted area. Although results will vary from person to person, most people typically start seeing results about six weeks after the treatment. Optimal results from a single session are usually seen at 12 weeks.

Roughly 76% of the fatty tissue in a targeted area will remain after your first 25-minute session. That said, once the fat cells in a treated area have been obliterated, they won’t regenerate.

Who Qualifies for Laser Lipolysis?

Qualifying candidates for laser lipolysis should be within 10 to 20 pounds of their ideal body weight and have a body mass index (BMI) under 30 for body treatments. Laser lipolysis isn't recommended for those with underlying medical conditions or during pregnancy.

Number of Laser Lipolysis Sessions

For most people, one laser lipolysis session is enough to get the desired results. However, because a 25-minute session only destroys and removes about 24% of fat cells in a targeted area, some people will opt for two or three treatment sessions.

Risks, Side Effects, and Healing

Every procedure comes with risks. Noninvasive laser lipolysis may cause discomfort and swelling after the procedure, but it has an excellent safety profile and is typically well-tolerated. The healing process may take a few weeks, but complications are rare.

Overall, nonsurgical laser lipolysis is safer and has exponentially fewer adverse side effects than traditional surgical liposuction. It doesn't require general anesthesia. In some cases, noninvasive laser lipolysis is the treatment of choice for correcting deformities from liposuction (fat-removal procedure using suction).

Finding a Laser Lipolysis Clinic

SculpSure, a popular laser lipolysis provider, has a website with an online tool for finding a noninvasive laser lipolysis provider or clinic.

Estimated Out-of-Pocket Costs

Out-of-pocket costs for laser lipolysis will vary from city to city and state to state. Every clinic will have slightly different rates, but, in general, the price depends on the size of the area being treated. The average cost of nonsurgical fat reduction is $1,437.

Before Your Laser Lipolysis Session

There's not much you need to do before your laser lipolysis session other than to make sure your skin is clean and not covered in thick creams or lotion. Minimizing ultraviolet (UV) exposure and keeping your skin out of the sun is also recommended in the weeks leading up to a noninvasive lipo session.

During Your Laser Lipolysis Session

Noninvasive laser lipolysis only takes about 30 minutes and doesn't require much downtime after the procedure. During your laser lipolysis session, the device will be placed on the skin area being treated, and the diode laser will go to work breaking down fat cells beneath the skin's surface.

Although the device has cooling features that prevent the skin's surface from overheating, it uses sizzling-hot heat to break down fatty tissue under the skin, which can cause a slight burning or tingling sensation.

Lifestyle Habits After Laser Lipolysis

Positive lifestyle habits that help your body maintain a healthy weight are key after laser lipolysis. Because this body-contouring treatment targets stubborn pockets of fat that don't typically respond to diet and exercise, once you've had the procedure, it's essential to stay active and eat well to avoid weight gain and keep your body fat percentage in a healthy range.

Summary

Laser lipolysis is a safe and effective way to remove small pockets of fat from stubborn areas. People don't necessarily lose weight from laser lipo because the quantity of fat removed typically isn't hefty; it's more of a body-contouring procedure. Candidates for noninvasive laser liposuction must be close to their ideal body weight and have a relatively low BMI before a laser fat removal session.

Some laser lipolysis, such as SmartLipo, require tiny skin incisions while noninvasive laser lipo, such as SculpSure, doesn't require any incisions, and the laser only causes minor pain during the 25-minute treatment.