Understanding SculpSure for Nonsurgical Fat Reduction
What is SculpSure?
SculpSure is a laser-based, non-invasive treatment that’s used to target and reduce fat. It works for both men and women and on a variety of body types. One procedure takes an average of 25 minutes and can target multiple areas at once!
Non-surgical cosmetic body procedures are becoming increasingly popular, especially to help with fat reduction because they don’t require incisions or anesthesia. This means there’s minimal discomfort, a quick procedure time, and no recovery time!
WHAT DOES SCULPSURE DO?
SculpSure involves a hands-free heat laser belt that uses specific wavelengths and heat to eliminate fat cells. In 2015, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared SculpSure for its use with the following areas:
- Upper abdominal area
- Lower abdominal area
- Flanks
COST
The cost of SculpSure varies based on the number of applicators used during treatment. Depending on the area you’re targeted on your body, you may need to use one to four applicators per procedure. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), the average cost of a nonsurgical fat reduction such as SculpSure was $1458 in 2016.
Some offices offer incentives and payment plans. SculpSure is a cosmetic procedure, so it’s usually not covered by insurance.
PREPARATION
Be prepared to discuss your medical history and what medications you’re currently on. When discussing the procedure with your licensed practitioner, you should communicate which areas of your body you’re interested in treating. The practitioner will tell you how many sessions you might need to reach your goals. Based on licensing rules in your state, the licensed practitioner may be a:
- Doctor
- Physician’s Assistant
- Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse
- Aesthetician
PROCEDURE
SculpSure is a type of lipolysis, which means a fat-eliminating process. The procedure uses laser technology to “melt” fat cells away.
At your appointment, you will be seated in a comfortable, reclined position and the licensed practitioner will mark the treatment areas on your body.
During treatment, the applicators are wrapped around you like a belt. The applicators deliver a laser that is hot enough to kill fat cells underneath the skin, while leaving other tissues unharmed.
The device alternates between delivering a cooling effect and the heat laser. Each treatment takes about 25 minutes. During the procedure, you can relax, read, or nap.
During the 12 weeks after the procedure, your body’s lymphatic system naturally flushes out the eliminated fat cells. If you need additional treatments to reach your desired results, they can be done every 6-12 weeks after the first treatment.
SCULPSURE VS. COOLSCULPTING
SculpSure and CoolSculpting have a similar basic purpose: to target and injure fat cells so they eventually die and are disposed of through your body’s lymphatic system. The difference is that while SculpSure uses controlled heat to eliminate fat cells, CoolSculpting uses the process of controlled cooling, also known as cryolipolysis.
The potential risks, as well as the pain level, are similar in both procedures. That being said, there is a notable cost difference between the two procedures. As of 2016, the average cost of CoolSculpting ranged between $2000 and $4000, whereas SculpSure averaged between $1400 and $1500.
SIDE EFFECTS OF SCULPSURE
The heating phases during treatment may cause some minor pinching or a tingling sensation, but no numbing agent or anesthesia is necessary.
Few serious side effects have been reported, but because SculpSure is a relatively new procedure, research is still ongoing regarding the effects on the body.
After treatment, you may experience some soreness and stiffness. You may also experience bruising in the treated areas. Your licensed practitioner may recommend that you massage the firm areas during the weeks after the procedure.
RESULTS AND RECOVERY
SculpSure takes 25 minutes and is non-invasive, with little to no recovery time. This means that you could feasibly have a treatment done on your lunch break and return to work immediately after your procedure.
In as few as six weeks after your first treatment, visible fat reduction may be noticeable, as your body metabolizes the eliminated fat cells. Clinical data from Cynosure, the creator of SculpSure, shows that on average, one session results in a 24 percent reduction of fat in the treated area. Full results are normally seen 12 weeks after the initial treatment. Because the cells eliminated during the procedure are destroyed with the laser, these cells won’t regenerate. Desired fat reduction should be maintained through healthy diet and exercise.
Interested in learning more?
Book an appointment today by calling 615-352-9379 or scheduling online.
Original Healthline article can be found here.
