Laser surgery is already a validated therapy that has been incorporated in healthcare and medical treatment. Among popular and proven therapies are laser eye surgery (Lasik), cancer treatment, and some dental treatments. Among the newer laser therapies is laser fat-removal, a developing innovation in weight-loss laser surgery.
Although procedures called laser liposuction and laser cosmetic surgeries are commonly practiced, a laser therapy using “cold laser” techniques is relatively new. The cold laser Zerona treatment was introduced at the beginning of 2010. Unlike laser liposuction, which requires incisions beneath the skin, cold laser weight-loss surgery is non-invasive and only beams of light touch the skin.
Cold Laser for Fat Removal
The type of laser treatment employed in removing bodyfat without making incisions in the skin is cold laser treatment. The American Cancer Society (ACS) website explores some aspects of cold laser therapy, explaining that “The term cold laser refers to the use of low-intensity or low levels of laser light.”
One problem with such therapies is that “Some devices do not have the output that they promise, and others are little more than light-emitting diodes (LED lights).” The American Cancer Society points out that conventional laser treatments (or hot lasers) are proven therapies while the phenomenon of cold laser treatment is still being studied and researched.
But the ACS adds that “Cold laser treatment is thought to help some types of pain, inflammation, and wound healing, although stronger proof is needed.” Studies are being conducted to provide "stronger proof." Nonetheless, some evidence already indicates that cold laser therapy is indeed effective. So, cold laser therapy is being studied and scrutinized to better determine possible uses in pain relief and wound healing, but is cold laser therapy effective in weight loss?
No Studies yet to Validate Fat-loss Laser Surgery
Although conventional laser therapy is common in certain cosmetic and dental procedures, cold laser surgery for weight loss is relatively new, and studies to validate the effectiveness of laser therapy in removing bodyfat and reducing weight are still being conducted.
Research to investigate the effectiveness of cold laser therapy in weight loss is ongoing as are studies investigating effectiveness of the therapy in pain relief and wound healing. The search for definitive answers continues and, some companies are looking for profit in a possible new weight-loss/cosmetic industry.
Laser to Melt Away Fat
Stephanie Stahl in the CBS news article “ Health: Melt Away Fat Laser ” exclaims that “laser light is the newest weapon in the war against fat.” Stahl reports on the Zerona laser explaining “Zerona is a low level or cold laser that targets fat cells. Nothing ever touches the skin but beams of light.”
Stahl interviewed Dr. Andrew Kwak of Lumen Laser Center in Bryn Mawr who stated that the therapy is a “non-invasive lipo sculpture.” Kwak elaborates on the procedure and explains, “It basically opens up a small hole in the fat cell,” and the oil from the fat cell “spills out.”
Afterward the oil breaks down in the body “is burned off and basically is normally excreted," according to Dr. Kwak. Stahl cautions that Zerona laser fat removal treatment is for individuals who are in relatively good shape but wanting to appear trimmer. The weight loss laser surgery is not effective for individuals who are significantly overweight.
Weight loss laser surgery is now being studied and incorporated in bodyfat reduction. Although hot lasers or conventional laser treatments are widely used and accepted, the use of cold laser therapy in weight loss as well as pain relief and wound treatment is a relatively recent innovation that shows promise and warrants further investigation.
Marian Henderson - I was in the Marine Corps for 12 years, and after completing my last four-year enlistment, I became a Merchant Marine. I worked aboard ...
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