Noninvasive Body Contouring: Literature Review and Summary of Objective Data

Abstract

Capsule Summary:• Noninvasive body contouring devices vary by efficacy, treatment schedule and safety profile.• This review compares body contouring modalities, allowing for quick comparison between modalities.• This review enables the selection of a body contouring modality that best suits each specific patient's goals, availability and aversion to risk. Background: There is increasing demand for noninvasive body contouring but objective data is difficult to compare between modalities. Currently, the most accepted forms of noninvasive body contouring are cryolipolyisis (Cryo), focused ultrasound (FUS), radiofrequency (RF), and low level laser therapy (LLLT). AbbreviationsObjective: To summarize the objective data on noninvasive body contouring. Methods:In October 2016, a pubmed search was performed with terms "noninvasive body contouring" or "non-invasive body contouring." The search was limited to human studies in English on the four major modalities.Results: 55 articles yielded data from 3649 patients. The most well studied modality was Cryo and the least was RF. Decreased abdominal/flank localized adiposity was most the most common endpoint reported. Both the minimum and maximum reported decreases in abdominal girth were from studies using RF (1.4cm and 7.4cm, respectively). Side effects were most common and significant with Cryo and absent with LLLT. Conclusions:Noninvasive body contouring has a significant amount of objective data available in the literature to date. Reductions of localized adiposity are clinically and statistically significant but modest. To date, the best reported positive results have been obtained with RF and the lowest risk of side effects is with LLLT. ABSTRACT SKINJuly 2017 Volume I Issue I

High intensity focused electromagnetic therapy evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging: Safety and efficacy study of a dual tissue effect based non‐invasive abdominal body shaping

“…The popularity of non‐invasive body shaping procedures has been growing rapidly—the number of procedures performed in the US more than doubled between 2012 and 2016 . Cryolipolysis, radiofrequency, low level laser therapy and focused ultrasound are most widely used for treating patients’ fat bulges, and their efficacy has been demonstrated in multiple previous studies. Similar to every aesthetic procedure, these technologies have also certain limitations.…”

An overview of HIFEM technology in body contouring

“…Until then, fat apoptosis in noninvasive body shaping had always been associated with direct exposure to thermal stress, such as cooling with cryolipolysis or heating with radiofrequency. 27 The study by Weiss et al 7 proposed a theory that apoptosis may be related to the high energy demand of the contracting muscles, and since glycogen is quickly depleted, a fat breakdown into free fatty acids (FFAs) and glycerol is initiated. However, the release of FFAs is exaggerated to such a degree that the fat cells are unable to dispose of the FFAs into the bloodstream quickly enough and the concentration of FFAs inside the cells becomes toxic.…”

“…Initial trials showed that patients lost a significant amount of fat in the subcutaneous layer after the treatment, and a consequent histological study performed by Weiss et al 7 showed that HIFEM treatment induces fat cell apoptosis. Until then, fat apoptosis in noninvasive body shaping had always been associated with direct exposure to thermal stress, such as cooling with cryolipolysis or heating with radiofrequency 27 . The study by Weiss et al 7 proposed a theory that apoptosis may be related to the high energy demand of the contracting muscles, and since glycogen is quickly depleted, a fat breakdown into free fatty acids (FFAs) and glycerol is initiated.…”

A novel nonfocused pulsed ultrasound technology for noninvasive circumference reduction

“…[5][6][7] RF-driven body contouring devices are very popular but require many treatment sessions and their effectiveness is limited. 8 The safety and efficacy of a 1060-nm diode laser reduction on fat layer thickness of the flanks and abdomen has been recently reported [9][10][11][12] yet these publications are quite sparse.…”

“…However, nearly all patients develop erythema, edema, dysethesia and discomfort at the treatment site, and pain is commonly reported as well 5–7 . RF‐driven body contouring devices are very popular but require many treatment sessions and their effectiveness is limited 8 . The safety and efficacy of a 1060‐nm diode laser reduction on fat layer thickness of the flanks and abdomen has been recently reported 9–12 yet these publications are quite sparse.…”