Low-level laser therapy using green 532 nm diodes is safe and effective for improving the appearance of cellulite in the thighs and buttocks. In contrast with other technologies, LLLT is effective as a stand-alone procedure without requiring massage or mechanical manipulation. Future studies will assess the long-term benefits of LLLT for the treatment of cellulite.

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Research into photobiomodulation reveals beneficial effects of light therapy for a rapidly expanding list of medical conditions and illnesses. Although it has become more widely accepted by the mainstream medicine, the effects and mechanisms of action appear to be poorly understood. The therapeutic benefits of photobiomodulation using low-energy red lasers extend far beyond superficial applications, with a well-described physics allowing an understanding of how red lasers of certain optimum intensities may cross the cranium. We now have a model for explaining potential therapeusis for applications in functional neurology that include stroke, traumatic brain injury, and neurodegenerative conditions in addition to the currently approved functions in lipolysis, in onychomycosis treatment, and in pain management.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for reducing hip, thigh, and abdomen circumference of individuals with body-mass index (BMI) between 30 and 40 kg/m 2. Background: Previous studies demonstrated the effectiveness of LLLT for reducing body circumference in the hips, thighs, and abdomen of nonobese individuals with a BMI <30 kg/m 2. Methods: In this randomized, double-blind shamcontrolled study, obese, but otherwise healthy, individuals were randomized to undergo 30-min LLLT (n = 28) or sham treatments (n = 25) three times weekly for 4 weeks. Body measurements were obtained after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment and 2 weeks post-treatment (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01821352). Results: After 4 weeks, 20 LLLT-treated subjects (71.43%) achieved ‡7.2 cm decrease in combined measurements versus three sham-treated subjects (12%; p < 0.00005). The mean (standard deviation) decrease in combined measurement for LLLT-treated subjects was 10.52 (7.59) cm (p < 0.0001 vs. baseline) versus 1.80 (3.20) cm for sham-treated subjects. Among subjects with a combined ‡7.2 cm decrease, the mean total decrease 2 weeks post-treatment was 15.21 cm. There were no adverse events. Conclusions: Based on these results, the device was cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a noninvasive esthetic treatment for reduction of circumference of hips, waist, and upper abdomen when applied to individuals with a BMI between 30 and 40 kg/m 2 .

A nonthermal laser device is approved for noninvasive body circumference reduction and temporary improvement in the appearance of cellulite. Another noninvasive device based on the principle of manual lymph drainage is approved for body circumference reduction and improving the appearance of cellulite. This pilot study evaluated the effectiveness of combining these treatments for reducing body circumference. Healthy men and women (N = 27), 22 to 70 years of age with a body mass index of 25 to 40 kg/m 2 , inclusive, seeking to improve the appearance of their waist, hips, and upper abdomen, were enrolled. The laser device consists of 6 independent, variable frequency lasers emitting a 532-nm green light with a mean power output of 17 mW (Erchonia Verjú Laser System; Erchonia Corporation, Melbourne, Florida). The lymphatic drainage system is a pressure therapy intended for body contouring and cellulite reduction applications and for reducing edema (Green PRESS 8 Lymphatic Drainage System; Iskra Medical, Podnart, Slovenia). Participants received 12 treatments, one every 3 to 4 days over a 6-week period. Each session included a 30-minute nonthermal laser treatment (15 minutes each to front and back) followed by a 30-minute treatment with the lymphatic drainage system. To evaluate comparability of the combined devices treatment with the nonthermal laser treatment, individual study success for the nonthermal laser alone was a 3.0-inch (7.62 cm) decrease in combined baseline hips, waist, and upper abdomen circumference at the end of the study. A 50% increase in combined hips-waist-upper abdomen circumference measurement following combined treatments was considered a clinically meaningful improvement over the use of nonthermal laser alone. Individual study success was achieved by 17 participants (63.0%), exceeding the preestablished overall study success criteria of 60% in comparison with nonthermal laser treatment alone. The mean (SD) combined body circumference decreased from 112.3 (13.7) inches at baseline to 108.5 (13.8) inches at the end of the study, a mean decrease of 3.9 (2.7) inches (P < .0001). One-way analysis of variance tests for changes in total body circumference measures at weeks 4, 8, and 12 were significantly less than baseline (for each, P < .01); however, the study failed to achieve a 50% decrease in combined hips-waist-upper abdomen circumference measurement following application of combined treatments versus nonthermal laser alone. Additional treatment with a manual lymphatic drainage system does not improve the effectiveness of a nonthermal 532-nm green laser for reducing hips, waist, and upper abdomen circumference.