Liposonix is the newest nonsurgical treatment for body contouring in Minnesota. It uses high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) to disrupt adipocytes (fat cells) percutaneously. Afschin Fatemi, M.D. wanted to find out about Liposonix’s efficacy and effectiveness, so he conducted a study and found that out of his 282 patients that underwent a single HIFU treatment in the areas of their abdomen and flanks, the waist circumference decreased by an average of 4.7 cm after 1 treatment. The time required to complete treatment was approximately 45-60 minutes, and they were on patients of all ages with the average age of 41.3 years. Final size circumferences were seen at 12 weeks; however, there were noted size decreases at 8 weeks post procedure. The study also found that collagen denaturation from the heat of the machine resulted in new collagen formation and tightening of fibers and skin.
Another study conducted by Mark Jewell, M.D. found that on his 180 patients from 2009-2010; one HIFU treatment was associated with average reductions in waist circumference of 2.52 cm when the abdomen and flanks were treated. When looking at the histologies of the patients, it clearly showed that adipocytes are disrupted by HIFU and it was a safe distance from dermis and/or the epidermis.
So how does this technology work? The Liposonix technique delivers energy across the skin surface at a relatively low intensity, and brings this energy to a sharp focus in the subcutaneous fat. At the skin surface, the intensity of the ultrasound energy is low enough so that no damage occurs. The focusing of the ultrasound beam at specific depths beneath the epidermis, results in adipose tissue disruption. Once adipocytes have been disrupted, chemotactic signals activate the body’s inflammatory response mechanisms. Macrophage cells are attracted to the area to engulf and transport the lipids and cell debris. This results in an overall reduction in local adipose tissue volume. Therefore, Liposonix is a safe and effective technique for nonsurgical body sculpting for reduction of fat deposits.
Shu Cosmetic Surgery in Edina, MN owns the newest generation of Liposonix and offers complimentary consultation and 10% introductory rate in the first 3 months.
