Getting To Know Laser Liposuction

Just recently, the FDA approved the latest technology called laser liposuction as a method for removing fat in specific areas of the body. It seems that people no longer need to stick to the option of traditional liposuction. There is however, still a lot that we need to know about laser liposuction.

What is Laser Liposuction?

Laser liposuction is a minimally invasive procedure that causes little bruising or tissue trauma in patients. In this procedure, a very small incision is made into which a 1mm cannula is then inserted. The laser tip of the instrument then comes into contact with the fats, heats the fats up and breaks them down. The melted fat can then be removed from the body immediately.

Fats that are not removed can be flushed out by the body through the lymphatic system. Laser intensity is low and can be adjusted as needed. A local anesthetic is all that is needed for laser liposuction.

Its Use

Like other liposuction procedures, laser liposuction can only work on specific areas of the body. Although some may claim that laser liposuction can work wonders on all parts of your body, it can only really work on limited areas. Only smaller areas like the face, neck and arms can be subjected to this laser treatment.

Laser liposuction is similar to traditional liposuction in that it is also a form of a body sculpting procedure. It is therefore not a solution for obesity and cannot be used for weight loss. The appropriate candidates for this new technology are people who are fairly healthy and who have only small fat deposits.

Advantages

Since the procedure is minimally invasive, there is less swelling, bruising, scarring, tissue damage and pain. The incision is said to be so small that a patient no longer needs to be stitched up. This means that the rate of recovery is faster. Patients can get back on their feet in a day or two.

Another advantage of laser liposuction is that it promotes collagen production and tightens the skin aside from merely melting body fats. This is a great improvement compared to traditional liposuction. In traditional liposuction, some patients end up looking worse because of a lack of ideal skin elasticity. Some doctors may use laser liposuction after sessions of traditional liposuction to help tighten the skin.

Disadvantages

Not all areas of the body can be subjected to laser liposuction. Traditional liposuction may still be needed for wider body areas such as the hips and thighs. It is also still a very young piece of technology. Experts agree that more studies need to be conducted to determine the possible negative side effects of this procedure.

A more serious concern that especially deserves more attention in laser liposuction is also the probable negative effects of having more fat fluid being retained in the body. Of course, the FDA would not approve something that could be potentially dangerous. It is a fact though that the full long term side effects of the procedure cannot be determined yet until it has been in use for quite some time. Be on the safe side by asking your doctor to extensively discuss the procedure with you.

Tags: Beauty, health, laser liposuction, Liposuction, liposuction procedure, science, weight loss, wellness, women's issues

July 24 2009 | Liposuction | No Comments »

Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is a method of removing unwanted body hair through the use of laser technology. A high intensity beam of light which gives off a lot of heat energy is directed at hair follicles to damage and stunt re-growth of the hair. It is a fairly painless procedure and a huge improvement in near-permanent hair removal methodology compared to painful electrolysis.

One of the great things about laser hair removal is the relative safety when compared to other forms of cosmetic enhancement procedures. The laser does not penetrate past the top layer of your skin and when it is zapping away at hair, the surrounding tissue is left unharmed.

Different parts of the body will experience different sensations depending on the sensitivity of the skin. Overall it is a painless procedure and some patients report having a warm sensation on the area being treated. The sensation can range from a mild stinging in the skin or slight tingle.

The level of discomfort during the laser procedure is negligible compared to the pain of pulling hair by the roots after applying hot wax all over your skin. The lasting effects of laser hair removal and the freedom of having to worry about the next waxing session makes the upfront cost of laser treatment well worth the price.

As far as treatment goes, a single session can last anywhere from fifteen minutes to forty-five minutes depending on the size of the area. And in many cases, multiple sessions are required as follow-up.

After the first treatment, it is typically reported that the hair re-grows 80% thinner. The area that is being treated then proceeds to re-grow thinner until no re-growth is left. Follow up sessions are usually a month apart for two to eight months.

The cost of such a procedure depends on a variety of factors. The key factors include the part of the body from which the hair is to be removed, the number of sessions required, and the doctor's charge for his or her service.

Clinics use a wide variety of methods to price the treatment and it is up to you to ask how the bill will be determined, and to get a quote for the procedure. In the long-run, many patients find that the money for laser hair removal is well worth the benefits of never having to shave or wax the same area ever again.

Tags: a, b, Beauty, body hair removal, c, Cosmetic Surgery, e, enhancement surgery, facial hair removal, h, hair, hair care, hair removal, health, Health & Fitness, k, l, laser hair removal, p, Plastic Surgery, s, skin, skin care, w, women's issues

July 19 2009 | Cosmetic Surgery | No Comments »