Noninvasive body contouring has become one of the fastest-growing areas of esthetic
medicine. Many patients appear to prefer nonsurgical less-invasive procedures owing to
the benefits of fewer side effects and shorter recovery times. Increasingly, 635-nm lowlevel
laser therapy (LLLT) has been used in the treatment of a variety of medical conditions
and has been shown to improve wound healing, reduce edema, and relieve acute pain.
Within the past decade, LLLT has also emerged as a new modality for noninvasive body
contouring. Research has shown that LLLT is effective in reducing overall body circumference
measurements of specifically treated regions, including the hips, waist, thighs, and
upper arms, with recent studies demonstrating the long-term effectiveness of results. The
treatment is painless, and there appears to be no adverse events associated with LLLT. The
mechanism of action of LLLT in body contouring is believed to stem from photoactivation
of cytochrome c oxidase within hypertrophic adipocytes, which, in turn, affects intracellular
secondary cascades, resulting in the formation of transitory pores within the adipocytes’
membrane. The secondary cascades involved may include, but are not limited to, activation
of cytosolic lipase and nitric oxide. Newly formed pores release intracellular lipids, which
are further metabolized. Future studies need to fully outline the cellular and systemic
effects of LLLT as well as determine optimal treatment protocols.
Semin Cutan Med Surg 32:35-40 © 2013 Frontline Medical Communications