Laser Treatments

Sometimes, body contouring can be accomplished without surgery. It’s true that diet and exercise are among the best mechanisms to influence the size and shape of your body (note that I use the term “influence,” because nobody has complete “control” over their bodies). However, for those who have reached the limit of what diet and exercise can realistically accomplish, but who have no interest in traditional plastic surgery procedures, body contouring laser treatments can be the answer.

Laser treatments are themselves relatively novel in the world of cosmetic surgery. But that doesn’t meant that many laser systems are not also tried and true. In fact, there are laser treatments that assist in liposuction and there are laser treatments that focus more on skin tone. Both are applicable to the notion of “body contouring,” so it’s worth talking about the different laser options available on the market today.

Laser Body Contouring Procedures

There are several laser body contouring procedures available to patients. Most of these procedures are performed in-office with a laser system, though some, such as laser liposuction procedures, may be performed in a hospital or surgical suite settings and require anesthesia. Much will depend on your desired outcome and your area of concentration. That is, the procedure will be much different if you are trying to eliminate wrinkles compared to eliminating fat.

Laser Liposuction

The procedure known as laser liposuction (sometimes referred to as laser-assisted liposuction) is one in which a laser is used to help break down fat in an efficient and controllable way. The laser essentially works to break down the walls of the fat cells, making it easier to remove that fat. This increases the amount of control surgeons have during the procedure and it decreases the size of cannula that must be used for suction. In other words, laser assisted liposuction works to make the procedure less invasive than it otherwise would be. This improves results and recovery time.

Fraxel Laser and Fraxel Dual

The Fraxel laser system is one of the most famous in the world of cosmetic lasers. This is a system designed t remove fine lines, wrinkles, and to even out skin tone. There are, in fact, several different variations on the Fraxel system, each of which emphasizes a different technique. Some Fraxel devices are used to “resurface” the skin—that is, to make the skin tone more even, remove age spots and acne and so on. Other Fraxel systems emphasize removing lines and wrinkles. You should discuss your desired results with your cosmetic or plastic surgeon to determine which system is best for you.

Laser Treatment of Leg Veins

There are also laser systems designed to treat the veins that appear on the legs. These systems can help diminish the effects of these veins and make the legs appear more youthful—and smoother! This is a huge comfort to many patients who are uncomfortable with the appearance of leg veins.

Find the Right Laser For You

In order to find the right laser for you, it helps to have a clear picture of what you want the desired results to be. If you want smooth skin, one laser might help—if you want less fat, another laser will help. However, it’s likely that no matter what preference you have, there is a laser system out there for you. Talk to your cosmetic surgeon today about laser system options for body contouring.

Or, if you want to know more about laser systems, check out our articles about laser treatments for body contouring.