Micro laser fat removal, though commonly confused for it, is a different procedure than laser lipolysis, so it merits independent discussion. This cosmetic enhancement has become increasingly popular in recent years, with an increasing number of clinics offering it. We will now dive into what micro laser fat removal is and what risks it carries.
Micro Laser Fat Removal
Micro laser fat removal, also referred to as laser-assisted liposuction, stands as a new procedure within the vast realm of cosmetic enhancements. Its core premise revolves around employing laser energy to liquefy and dissolve unwanted fat cells concealed beneath the skin’s surface that are immediately suctioned away by a surgeon. Unlike the conventional method of liposuction involving fat suction via a cannula, laser-assisted liposuction entails the insertion of a slender fiber-optic laser probe directly into the targeted area with the cannula. Here, the laser’s energy performs its magic, meticulously disintegrating fat cells into a liquid form, which the surgeon quickly suctions off.
Risks of Micro Fat Removal
Micro laser fat removal, or laser-assisted liposuction, naturally carries more risks than laser lipolysis, as it is a surgical intervention. It is performed under anesthesia, and it carries with it a greater potential for complications than laser lipolysis due to the introduction of a conventional liposuction component to the procedure.
The negative potential side effects of liposuction are several, and they can be exacerbated by certain prior health circumstances. Just like any surgical procedure, liposuction carries with it the risk of post-operative infection, which can be minor or quite severe in nature. Additionally, deformities in the body at the site of the liposuction can occur in as many as 20% of patients. Bruising and pain can be temporary results of the liposuction procedure, although the pain may become chronic as well in some cases. Embolisms may occur when pieces of fat enter the bloodstream during or after the surgery. These embolisms can affect the lungs, the brain, or another part of the body and are extremely serious. Fat emboli can cause permanent disability or even death.
Liposuction patients may additionally be affected by post-op fluid imbalances, resulting in fluid collecting in the lungs, heart problems, or kidney problems. There is a risk of toxicity from the anesthesia, specifically the use of lidocaine, which has been linked to several deaths in the case of liposuction procedures.
Laser-assisted liposuction can cause burns if the laser fiber optic probe becomes too hot. Serious complications that can result from liposuction-like procedures include deep vein thrombosis, organ perforation during the surgery, bleeding, and infection. These are risks that everyone having liposuction surgery undergoes in some capacity, although your personal risk profile for each of these complications is individual and depends on a variety of factors.
Laser Lipolysis
This procedure, also referred to as “laser lipo,” involves the application of a low-intensity laser to the fat areas you wish to lose. Lasers can generate singular-directional light and heat to a minimal area. With laser lipo, the technician will target the cell with the laser. The laser penetrates the skin, reaches the targeted fat cells, and bores a tiny pore into the cellular membrane. In addition to creating the small hole, the laser emulsifies (melts) the lipids inside the cell, which allows them to seep through the pore.
The body’s lymphatic system then naturally disposes of the lipids. Emerald Laser by Erchonia works differently from other laser lipolysis methods. Emerald’s system uses ten 532 nanometer lasers to target fat cells. While the system allows the cells to drain, they remain intact. Other laser systems destroy the fat cells, which can lead to fatty deposits developing in other areas of the body.
Additionally, Emerald Laser is relatively painless when compared to other laser systems. Most patients don’t feel anything at all. Laser lipolysis is a minimally invasive weight loss method that targets body fat exclusively. It is innovative and relatively new. Laser lipolysis by Emerald Laser is the first FDA-approved laser lipolysis process.
More Potential Alternatives to Laser-Assisted Liposuction
Here are some additional options to explore as an alternative to laser-assisted liposuction, also called laser-assisted liposuction.
Therapy
Occasionally weight gain and fat retention are the results of mental health issues. For example, binge eating disorder is a mental disorder that can lead to obesity. Even if a mental condition isn’t necessarily the cause, many people gain weight or are unable to maintain a healthy weight because they have an unhealthy psychological relationship with food. They oftentimes comfort themselves or reward themselves with food. For these reasons, therapy is a viable option for weight loss for many people. A therapist will help you get to the root of the problem and address why you are overeating, and will consequently help you lose body fat. Therapy can be a very helpful tool in your weight loss journey.
Radiofrequency Lipolysis
This cosmetic procedure involves the use of radio waves to heat fat deposits in the body until they are destroyed. The process is similar to other types of cosmetic procedures in that the patient is prepared, and the area to be treated is marked off. Then with the application of a device one centimeter from the body, radio waves are fired into the fat deposit. The radio waves pass through the skin harmlessly and then heat up the fat inside the body, eventually killing the fat cells in the treated area. This is a permanent fat loss solution, as the fat cells are dead and gone afterward. Typically, a cooling device is utilized at the same time to keep the skin at a comfortable temperature during the procedure. This procedure is relatively side effect-free, with the most common side effects being redness and heating in the affected area, as well as some tissue tenderness.
Cryolipolysis
In this procedure, freezing cold temperatures are used to destroy fat cells while leaving the skin cells intact. This is done by clamping the part of the body chosen for this localized effect with the medical device, which is then cooled to very cold temperatures, thereby killing the fat cells in the area. Patients may experience some discomfort when exposed to the freezing temperatures, although this abates relatively quickly. This type of body sculpting is meant to create localized changes to body fat levels around the chosen area for the sake of aesthetic improvement. There are, however, known side effects to this treatment. For example, paradoxical adipose hyperplasia is a potential side effect of cryolipolysis that results in the number of fat cells in the area treated multiplying rather than receding. For this reason, this method is not as foolproof as some of the alternative methods, such as laser lipolysis.
GLP-1 Agonists
These are a type of medications that can cause increased satiety and fullness when eating. GLP-1 agonist medications imitate a hormone called incretin, which is responsible for the feeling of satiety, thereby increasing fullness and decreasing hunger. This results in weight loss through caloric restriction being far easier, as the person is not as hungry and feels significantly fuller from the same quantity of food. Individuals will be less hungry and remain full for longer while on this medication, though they will still have to adjust their eating habits in order to lose body fat. However, unless the eating issue is purely psychological, this will be far easier to do, as the cravings for food and general hunger will be significantly diminished.
The Benefits of Laser Lipolysis Over Micro Laser Fat Removal
The benefits of laser lipolysis over micro laser fat removal are numerous. For example:
- No surgical intervention is a major advantage of laser lipolysis.
- No general anesthesia is required.
- Less risk of permanent scarring
- No risk of organ perforation.
As you can see, the majority of the advantages of laser lipolysis revolve around the fact that it is non-surgical in nature. This renders the process safer and involves less overall risk from the various components of bodily intervention necessary for a surgical procedure.
Emerald Laser
For the latest in laser lipolysis technology, check out Emerald Laser and find a provider near you today!
