Assessment of Low-Level Laser Therapy for Non-Invasive Body Contouring

Goals/Purpose: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) iis a recondite technology, and yet, it has emerged as a cogent solution for non-invasive body-contouring.  It has been reported that LLLT with defined parameters reduces circumferential measurements of the waist, hip and thigh evidenced by a cumulative loss of 3.54 inches in 2 weeks.  This response – substantiated by numerous histological investigations – is secondary to the formation of a transitory pore within human adipocytes membranes.  Accordingly, aesthetic clinicians must substantiate marked differences between non-invasive devices to prevent cursorily adopting untried technologies.  Herein I aim to corroborate the clinical utility of LLLT as a non-invasive body-contouring procedure. 

Methods/Technique: Data from 689 participants were obtained to evaluate the circumferential reduction demonstrated across the treatment site of the waist, hips, and thighs as well as non-treated systemic regions. Patient data were not pre-selected; all reports provided by clinics using LLLT for body contouring were used to evaluate the efficacy of this treatment. Participants received a total of six LLLT treatments across two-weeks having baseline and post-procedure circumferential measurements recorded. Measurement sites included waist, hips, thighs, arms, knees, neck, and chest.

 Results/Complications: The mean circumferential reduction reported for the waist, hips, and thighs one week after the treatment regimen was 3.27 inches (p<0.0001).  Furthermore, participants demonstrated an overall mean reduction of 5.17 inches across all measurement points 5.17 inches (p<0.0001). Each anatomical region measured exhibited a significant circumferential reduction.  Additionally, no adverse events were reported.

Conclusion: These data reveal that the circumferential reduction exhibited following LLLT is not attributable to fluid or fat relocation as all measurement points, including non-treated regions, reported an inch loss.