Efficacy and safety of long pulse 1064 and 2940 nm lasers in noninvasive lipolysis and skin tightening

Abstract

Noninvasive body shaping is becoming a growing demand. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of the combined treatments of 1064 nm Nd:YAG and 2940 nm Er:YAG in noninvasive lipolysis and skin tightening. Ten females were enrolled, and all women's side of the waist or the lower part of the abdomen were treated. In the first step, the 1064 nm Nd:YAG was used. As a second step, the 2940 nm Er:YAG laser was applied. Each woman was treated four times, once every 2 weeks. The effects were determined by comparative photo documentation, waist circumference measurement, two-dimensional B-mode ultrasonography and low-dose native computer tomography (CT), whereas body fat was monitored with bioelectric impedance. The tissue firmness was measured by ultrasound shear wave elastography. Combined laser treatment significantly reduced waist circumference and total body fat. Ultrasonography has revealed that the treatment considerably decreased fat thickness and improved skin stiffness in the treated region. Subcutaneous fat volume, measured by low-dose CT, displayed a moderate decrease in the waist region. The combined 1064 nm Nd:YAG and 2940 nm Er:YAG laser treatment results in the reduction of fat tissue and tightens the skin as confirmed by objective measurements.

Keywords: Er:YAG laser; Nd:YAG laser; fat reduction; skin stiffness.

Figure 1

Study protocol. The red arrows indicate the times of combined laser treatments. Photo, photo documentation; Circ. meas., measurement of waist circumference; BFM, body fat monitoring; US, ultrasound; CT, low‐dose computed tomography

Figure 2

Comparative photographs of participant ID 4 before and after the treatments. A, The participant before the 1st combined laser treatment from frontwise. B, The participant before the 1st combined laser treatment from side view. C, The participant 2 weeks after the 4th treatment from frontwise. D, The participant 2 weeks after the 4th treatment from side view

Figure 3

Findings of waist circumference measurements. “Before” values represent the status before the 1st laser treatment while “after” values were determined 2 weeks after the last treatment. Data of participants are depicted separately. Circumference values are given in cm. A, B and C demonstrate measurement points 4, 8 and 12 cm above the spina iliaca anterior superior, respectively. #, difference between “before” and “after” values is statistically significant

Figure 4

Total body fat. “Before” and “after” values demonstrate baseline values and the values measured 2 weeks after the 4th laser treatment, respectively. Data of participants are depicted separately. Total body fat values are given in percentage. #, difference between “before” and “after” values is statistically significant

Figure 5

Mean subcutaneous fat measured with two‐dimensional B‐mode ultrasonography. “Before” values were determined before the 1st laser treatment while “after” values demonstrate the fat thickness 2 weeks after the 4th laser treatment. Data of participants are depicted separately. Fat thickness values are given in mm. #, difference between “before” and “after” values is significant

Figure 6

Subcutaneous fat tissue stiffness determined by means of shear wave elastography. “Before” values represent the status before the 1st laser treatment while “after” values were determined 2 weeks after the last treatment. Data of participants are depicted separately. Stiffness values are given in kPa. #, difference between “before” and “after” values is statistically significant