Combination laser-assisted liposuction and minimally invasive skin tightening with temperature feedback for treatment of the submentum and neck

Abstract

Nonsurgical alternatives for addressing excessive fat and skin laxity of the submentum and neck are highly desirable treatment options. The purpose of this chapter is to present the combination of laser-assisted liposuction and minimally invasive skin tightening of submentum and neck under direct temperature control. In a randomized, prospective, three-arm study of single laser-assisted liposuction and skin tightening (LAL-ST) treatment, 1064 nm, 1319 nm, and blended 1064/1319 nm were comparatively analyzed [ 1 ]. Subjects were randomized to three treatment arms. LAL was laser-fiber administered into the adipose layer, followed by aspiration. ST was laser-fiber administered into subdermal plane in multiple passes until uniform 45-48 °C was attained and total energy of 5000-7000 J was delivered. Subjects were photographed at baseline, and monthly posttreatment through 6 months, and assessed using four-point quantitative laxity grading scale and fat-aspirate quantitation. The mean percentage improvement in laxity grades was 43.8(18.5)% for 1064 nm, 36.6(5.9)% for 1319 nm, and 39.3 (12.9)% for 1064/1319 nm. The mean (SD) fat-aspirate volumes were 6.13 (3.28) mL for 1064 nm, 8.25 (2.50) mL for 1319 nm, and 6.50 (5.74) mL for 1064/1319 nm [ 1 ]. The results were comparable and the differences between the groups were not statistically significant. Combination temperature-controlled LAL-ST treats provide a nonsurgical treatment option for addressing excess fat and skin laxity of submentum and neck with excellent safety and efficacy.