SmartLipo: A Smart Fat Removal Alternative

by Luke Willson

You may have noticed a new treatment being offered for fat removal at your local medspa or cosmetic clinic. It’s called SmartLipo, and while it isn’t exactly brand-new (it was approved by the FDA in 2006), it has been giving some competition for more established fat removal procedures, like Liposuction. For a long time, the only place you could get SmartLipo was with a plastic surgeon. But, as it gains popularity, many non-surgical medspas and cosmetic clinics are adding SmartLipo to their repertoire, too.

When SmartLipo first hit the market in 2006, it caused quite a stir in the plastic surgery industry. It hasn’t yet achieved the monumental success that many predicted, but it is slowly and surely proving its advantages over more established procedures, like liposuction. Medspas across the country have picked up on this and started to offer the procedure, along with other body contouring treatments, to help you get rid of those troublesome pockets of fat that just don’t respond to diet and exercise.

SmartLipo is one of the least invasive procedures for fat removal on the market, which is one of the main reasons that non-surgical medspas and cosmetic clinics have been able to adopt it. A local anesthetic is used in the targeted area, instead of general anesthetic (as in liposuction), meaning that patients can walk out of the clinic immediately after their treatment. This has led to it being nicknamed the “lunch hour liposuction.” Scarring, if any, is barely noticeable (about the same size as the scar left by a needle), and most experience little to no bleeding or bruising, unlike more-invasive procedures. The whole treatment takes less than an hour, and most people can return to regular activities within a day or two, though it take a few months for your body to recover completely.

SmartLipo is a great procedure for anyone who has tried to lose weight through diet and exercise, but just can’t seem to get rid of those frustrating pockets of fat on their thighs, buttocks, back, love handles, abdomen, breasts, arms or under the chin. A small tube less than a millimeter in diameter, called a cannula, is inserted under the skin in the targeted area. Attached to the cannula is a laser fiber, which emits a diode laser that uses heat energy to liquefy the fat cells and break down their cell walls. This allows the fat to be passed from the body naturally. For larger areas, some suction may be necessary to remove all of the fat. However, you should reconsider getting SmartLipo for large amounts of fat removal. It’s great for body contouring, but shouldn’t be considered for weight-loss.

SmartLipo, also known as laser assisted liposuction, is just one of a whole range of treatments for fat removal that medspas and plastic surgeons are currently offering. Some alternatives, like Lipodissolve, involve the injection of a substance which dissolves the fat in a trouble area. Others, like VASER Liposelection, use ultrasound energy to break down the fat, instead of lasers. Don’t discount traditional liposuction either—it may not be the newest procedure on the block, but it has certainly proved its effectiveness!

Before deciding if SmartLipo is right for you, make sure that you’ve found the right provider. Fortunately, at Healthy Skin Portal, our cosmetic clinics are strictly pre-qualified to make sure that you receive the highest quality service. Your personal cosmetic goals are within reach, so don’t hesitate to contact us today. Our customer liaisons are here to answer any of your questions and help you find a reputable medspa or cosmetic clinic in your area. Schedule your consultation online, or call us at 866.471.8874.

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