It seems there is a new "breakthrough" in cosmetic medicine every day. Introducing Zerona---one of the latest, most-hyped entrants into the non-invasive cosmetic procedure market. If you haven't heard of it yet, you haven't been paying attention while Zerona was making the rounds on such popular TV shows as Extra and Rachel Ray, among others.
Zerona is a laser device that looks like something straight out of a science fiction movie, with multiple laser-emitting "tentacles" projecting this way and that from a dark and ominous-looking base. The treatment is applied externally to fatty areas of the body (no incisions required). The claim is that Zerona's low-light lasers emit targeted energy which penetrate through the skin and cause the fat cells to release their fatty contents into the space between the cells, where they are then swept away by the body's own waste elimination mechanisms.
Physicians using the device claim that their patients are losing, on average, a total of 3-6 inches (measured at multiple sites) in a 2 week-long series of 40-minute treatments. This is the equivalent of losing 1-2 liters of fat. Treatments are given every other day during the 2-week period, and the average cost for a series is $2,000-$3,000.
The results are undoubtedly more subtle than with surgical liposuction. Moreover, in many cases the cost isn't significantly less. However, for a person who is wary of going under the knife (not to mention anesthesia) to achieve her body contouring goals, Zerona could be quite appealing. Zerona is also touted as imparting a subtle skin-smoothing effect on treated areas.
Like any other emerging technology, one must weigh the pros and cons. The upside: no scalpel, no anesthesia, no pain, no downtime.
On the other hand, the biggest downside of any brand new procedure is that it is essentially unproven. There are no long-term studies to indicate how long the results from this procedure may last or what other long-term effects it may produce. In addition, there is no guarantee of the extent of your results with Zerona (although some doctors are offering a partial credit up to $1,000 toward surgical liposuction for patients who don't lose at least 3 inches with their Zerona treatments).
Your blog is very timely and appropriate. A couple of my patients have asked, “When are you going to get the Zerona?” I answer, “When there is some good scientific data validating the claims of success.”
Unfortunately, plastic surgery is usually hyped before it is researched. I’m a doctor first, and a plastic surgeon, second. I don’t dare violate my patients’ trust with untested technology.