Pilot Study: Lipolifting: A Minimally Invasive Facial and Body Contouring Technique

Subcutaneous lasers represent a paradigmatic change in aesthetic procedures and have increased the demand for effective and minimally invasive treatments for fat compaction and skin sagging, revolutionizing face and body contouring techniques. Selective photothermolysis induced by the 1210-nm lasers can modulate fat without inducing damage to the surrounding tissues.

This pilot study evaluated a minimally invasive technique using a subcutaneous 1210-nm laser for face and body contouring using a 3-dimensional imaging technique.

This study evaluated 5 facial and 10 abdominal body contouring cases using the minimally invasive lipolifting technique in a single session. Patients, predominantly woman (80%) with a mean age of 36 years, were assessed before procedure and at least 90 days after procedure. Facial treatments demonstrated average volume reductions of 2.06 mm³ in the cheek, 3.02 mm³ in the jowl, and 1.42 mm³ in the jawline regions. Among body contouring patients, most were classified as overweight and exhibited an average waist circumference reduction of 3.81 cm (SD = 1.86 cm). All patients rated their aesthetic outcomes as "very much improved" on the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale throughout the follow-up period.

The 1210-nm laser technique proved to be safe and effective in enhancing facial and body contours through adipose tissue compaction. Additionally, it reduced skin laxity by inducing a regenerative response, promoting the differentiation of adipose-derived mesenchymal cells into fibroblasts, and stimulating collagen production.