Frequently Asked Questions

Body Sculpting

We collected a wide variety of questions that arose from conversations with clients during the consultation process. We divided the questions according to the stages of the treatment and answered each question in order to give you all the information you need about body sculpting treatment

If you have additional questions, you are welcome to schedule a free consultation and we will be happy to answer

Body Sculpting Results / Efficacy

The treated fat cells are permanently destroyed and will not regenerate. SculpSure (laser fat removal) is intended for those who maintain a healthy lifestyle, yet experience stubborn fat in treatable areas, such as the flanks, abdomen, inner and outer thighs, back, and under the chin. As long as significant weight gain is not experienced, you will maintain your results.

SculpSure’s light-based technology targets and heats fat cells, destroying their structural integrity. The feathering of heat spread provides a natural smooth contour, unlike cryoliposis, which uses fat- freezing technology and has had reported instances of both the above side effects.

During a SculpSure treatment, fat cells in the treated area are disrupted with heat and naturally eliminated over time. However, it is unlikely that all fat cells will be removed from the treated area.

Every client is different. Most clients see the best results when they have a series of treatments. Ask us about the treatment plan that is right for you.

SculpSure is not a weight loss solution, and therefore does not result in weight loss following treatment.

Many clients start to see results as early as six weeks following treatment, as the body begins to evacuate the destroyed fat cells, with optimal results usually seen 12 weeks after your final treatment.

Your treatment area will look smaller and more contoured. You may even notice that your clothes fit better!

Most clients require a series of treatments to achieve the results they desire. Results can be seen at six weeks after treatment, with optimal results typically seen at 12 weeks.

While every client is different, some studies show up to 24% of fat cells can be destroyed in the treated area.1

Pre-Treatment Body Sculpting

SculpSure candidates have stubborn fat in areas that seem resistant to diet and exercise. SculpSure is intended for non-invasive fat reduction of the abdomen, flanks, back, inner and outer thighs and the submental (under the chin) area. SculpSure is not a weight loss solution and is ideal for candidates with a BMI of up to 30 for body treatments and up to 43 for under the chin treatments.

Be sure that your skin is free of lotions or creams, that you have eaten a meal and are well-hydrated.

We do not recommend treatment for pregnant or lactating mothers.

There is no need for any medications with the SculpSure treatment. Client feedback helps us determine appropriate settings during the treatment.

During your consultation, it is important to share your medical history, including prior treatments, so that we can determine if SculpSure is right for you. Recent surgeries in the treatment area need to be discussed with us.

SculpSure treatments will not require any change in your normal daily routine. You may experience mild tenderness after your treatment, but this should not affect your daily activities. However, if your intent is to have results before the event in question, please plan ahead for optimal results – 6-12 weeks post-treatment. You will need to adjust your timeline accordingly.

SculpSure for the body (flanks, abdomen, thighs, and back) is intended for clients with a BMI of 30 or less. Patients contouring the under-chin area can have a BMI of up to 43. However, it is more important to consider the body composition of each client and expectations. Your provider will assess your areas of concern and determine if your body type is appropriate for treatment.

SculpSure is FDA cleared for treatment of the abdomen, flanks, inner and outer thighs, bra fat, and submental
(under the chin) areas.

We will develop a customized treatment plan based on your desired results. Ask us for the treatment package that is right for you.

During your Body Sculpting treatment

Each SculpSure treatment takes 25 minutes to complete. Multiple treatment areas may be recommended in a single day to achieve optimal results.

You will be comfortably positioned on a treatment bed or chair, and applicators will be attached to the desired treatment area with a belt. During the first 4 minutes of the treatment, the build phase occurs, during which the temperature of the fat cells are heated to target treatment temperature. After the build phase, the temperature will be sustained for an additional 21 minutes (sustain phase). Your practitioner will monitor your comfort level during treatment and adjust the settings accordingly. You may experience a little discomfort, approximately 3.7 out of 10 on a pain scale.2

Regulations vary from state to state on who is authorized to perform your treatment. Check your local laws to see who can perform SculpSure treatments. They may be performed by nurses, aestheticians, medical assistants, and physicians, depending on state regulations.

You can treat as many areas as you want, however it is not recommended to treat the same area within the same day. We recommend 4-6 weeks between treatments on the same areas.

Most clients feel an intermittent tingling and peaks of deep heating, followed by a comfortable cooling sensation. Most clients find the treatment tolerable.

Some clients will experience sensations which range from prickling, pinching, pressure and peaks of moderate deep heat and cooling.

Post–Treatment

Many clients report tissue tenderness when the treated area is touched; however the treatment is generally well-tolerated and does not prevent you from resuming your daily activities. Most clients report the sensation is similar to having done a vigorous workout. This feeling typically resolves in less than 2 weeks.

Prior to leaving the office after your first appointment, you should schedule your next treatment appointment for 4-6 weeks. We will discuss the best treatment regimen for you.

Yes, there is no restriction on exercise and you can resume your normal activities immediately following treatment.
In fact, exercise may help stimulate the metabolic process. Staying well-hydrated during the elimination stage will encourage this process as well.

To date, there have been no reported cases of increased skin laxity post treatment. However, if you have severe laxity in the treatment area, SculpSure may not provide you with the results you want. Ask us if SculpSure is right for you.

Gently massaging the treatment area after SculpSure may help stimulate lymphatic drainage, and may enhance your results.

Currently the SculpSure device is FDA-cleared for treatment of the flanks, abdomen, back, inner and outer thighs, and submental (under the chin) areas.

To date, there have been no formal studies looking at the potential effects of treating sooner than 4-6 weeks.

The fat cells that are destroyed during treatment will never come back. However, the fat cells that that do remain can can increase in volume. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and staying well-hydrated will give you long-lasting results.

There is no need to wear a compression garment following treatment.

There is no downtime after a SculpSure treatment. You can resume your normal activities, including exercise, immediately post-treatment.

Accordion Content

How Body Sculpting Works

The destroyed fat cells will be eliminated naturally through your body’s lymphatic system.

We are able to heat fat and maintain the temperature efficiently and effectively to achieve fat destruction in a short amount of time. This is based on 7 years of extensive research.

SculpSure is the world’s first and only FDA-cleared light-based device for non-invasive lipolysis. SculpSure offers versatility with four applicators, which can be placed in a variety of configurations. Contact Cooling™ ensures a safe and tolerable treatment for all skin types. Unlike cryolipolysis, SculpSure does not require a painful post-treatment massage, or result in shelving or shark bites. With SculpSure, the results are natural looking.

The depth of penetration will depend on the thickness of fat for that individual patient. Internal temperature testing has shown that SculpSure can heat fat as deep as 3 cm below the dermis. If the fat thickness is less than that, the laser energy will only target the fat cells, and not affect tissue, muscle, or underlying organs.

The potential side effect on cellulite has not been studied in conjunction with SculpSure.

SculpSure is a hyperthermic laser treatment. The laser energy increases the temperature of the fat cells between 42-47°C. Numerous studies have shown, using in vivo, ex vivo and theoretical analysis, that if you increase the temperature of fat to a certain temperature and maintain that temperature for a period of time, the fat cells will be permanently destroyed.

To date, there haven’t been any studies published that have demonstrated the exact process of fat clearance post non-invasive procedures. However, there have been many studies that show that serum lipid and serum liver values remain stable post treatment. These findings are consistent with SculpSure’s research that studied serum lipid and liver values at various time points post treatment. It is widely accepted that the body processes the destroyed fat through the lymphatic system and basic metabolic pathways.

Non-invasive procedures do not require an incision through the skin or the removal of tissue from the body as with a surgical procedure. Many times patients do not want to endure anesthesia and/or a prolonged healing process. SculpSure provides results without incisions or downtime.

Side effects

The most common side effects include mild swelling, mild redness, tissue tenderness, and tissue firmness (small, hardened areas in the deep fat layer). All side effects seen during clinical studies resolved on their own. We will review these side effects with you.

Studies have shown that the SculpSure treatment will not raise your cholesterol.3

A client can be treated if the hernia has been addressed and you are not placing the applicators over scar tissue. Please consult the treating physician regarding their best practices.

SculpSure vs. the Competition

SculpSure is a laser treatment that heats your fat cells, while CoolSculpting uses cold to freeze them.
SculpSure uses four non-suction applicators that can be configured many ways to provide a fully-customizable treatment. CoolSculpting uses various applicators, some of which require strong vacuum suction to pull skin and fat into a freezing chamber. CoolSculpting requires longer treatment times, while SculpSure takes just 25 minutes per area. After your SculpSure treatment, there are minimal side effects, and you can resume your normal activity immediately. SculpSure and CoolSculpting produce similar results in terms of the amount of fat you will lose, however, with CoolSculpting, there is a risk of increased fat volume in the treated area, as well as irregularities such as shelving or shark bites. SculpSure’s results leave you with a smooth and natural body contour.

SculpSure patients report only mild tissue tenderness that can last up to 2 weeks. CoolSculpting has reports of delayed-onset pain often resulting in the need for medical intervention.

SculpSure is a non-invasive treatment to reduce areas of localized fat. For clients that aren’t candidates for liposuction, or simply don’t want the risk or downtime associated with surgery, SculpSure may be a great alternative.
Be sure to discuss your expectations with us to decide what’s best for you.

1. Clinical and Histological Evaluations of a 1060nm Laser Device for Non-Invasive Fat Reduction – John W. Decorato, MD., F A C S. Rafael Sierra, Ph.D., Bo Chen, Ph.D., Westford, MA, 2014. 2. Bass L, Doherty S. Non-Invasive Fat Reduction Of The Abdomen With A 1060nm Diode Laser.Paper presented at: 2015 Annual American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery Conference; April 22-26; Kissimmee, FL. 3. Data on file. Decorato, John W., et al. Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Response to a Non-Invasive Hyperthermic Treatment Using a 1,060nm Laser. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, vol. 49, no. 5, 2017, pp. 480–489., doi:10.1002/lsm.22625.

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