Laser liposuction utilizes concentrated heat emitted by lasers to help melt and reduce the excess fat in a treated area.
Note that there are two distinct versions of the procedure that go by the same name. One is noninvasive and entirely external, involving heat applied through pads on top of the skin to melt fat, which is later flushed out as waste. The second version is minimally invasive, using a cannula with a laser attached to it to melt the fat from the inside and later suck it out. This type of laser lipo operation requires a small incision near the treated area.
Both procedures have been shown to have great track records with high levels of efficiency and reduced side effects compared to traditional liposuction. Still, you should understand that despite biased sources offering wild assertions, neither procedure provides a lasting solution to the cellulite problem.
What is Cellulite?
Cellulite refers to a condition that causes lumps and dimples to appear on the skin, most commonly occurring on the thighs or buttocks. Some people negatively refer to this condition as cottage-cheese or orange-peel skin for pretty obvious reasons.
Although an exact scientific explanation has eluded researchers thus far, what we do know is that cellulite forms due to the expansion of fat cells between the skin and underlying muscle. As these cells expand, they accumulate and cause the tissue connecting fat and skin to exert pressure against the surface from below, creating an uneven surface appearance. Excess fatty deposits create bulges, while the tight connective fibers cause the bumpy appearance.
Cellulite can affect both men and women, although it is far more common in women thanks to the different distribution of muscles, fat, and tissue in their bodies. Overall, between 80-90 percent of females will have to contend with the condition at some point in their lives. Certain genetic predispositions and a sedentary lifestyle can also play a role in producing cellulite. Finally, hormones may also increase your likelihood of developing cellulite, as well as unbalanced diets high in carbohydrates, fat, or salt.
Can it Be Removed With Laser Liposuction?
With all this being said, laser liposuction uses its technology to remove excess fat and potentially tighten the skin, but it does NOT remove cellulite from the body. Even with the use of minimally invasive laser liposuction, which uses a cannula to target fat directly, the cellulite will not be removed. Your skin may experience some moderate improvement because liposuction reduces fat deposits and breaks up fibrous bands that can cause cellulite, but it will not completely eradicate the problem. No type of liposuction, laser or not, will get rid of cellulite, as this is a permanent skin fixture that can be reduced, but not entirely removed. Also, know that while internal laser liposuction, which requires an incision and uses a cannula, provides some skin tightening benefits. External laser liposuction, despite claims to the contrary, does not offer such an advantage.
Several doctors have gone on the record explaining why liposuction does not work as a cellulite treatment. Some of the proof shows that this procedure, as well as other fat-loss techniques, can be used to improve cellulite to a certain degree, but patients who have the condition, unfortunately, won’t be able to remove it. Doctors even acknowledge that there is no way to remove cellulite with a procedure, so if a surgeon tells you they can successfully remove cellulite, you should be skeptical that the doctor does not have your best intentions in mind.
One recently developed, minimally invasive treatment called Cellulaze uses a tiny laser, inserted beneath your skin, to break up the connective tissue that causes cellulite. While its results appear to be promising, additional research is needed to understand just how effective it is.