Serum lipid changes following laser lipolysis

J Cosmet Laser Ther 11(2):74-77 (2009) PMID 19337939

Laser lipolysis allows the removal of small volumes of fat with concurrent sub-dermal tissue contraction. However, the physiologic consequences of this procedure are not well documented. The possible effects on serum lipids are not well established. This study was undertaken to determine what changes, if any, occurred in serum lipid profiles at different intervals (1 day, 7 days, 2 weeks and 1 month) after the procedure. Four consecutive patients were included in the study. In all patients, the right and left hips were treated with a 980-nm diode laser (Osyris Medical, Hellemmes, France). Power was tuned at 18 W. Cumulative energies varied from 22 000 J to 50 150 J. Fasting blood samples were obtained before the procedure and 1 day, 3 days, 2 weeks and 1 month after. A standard lipid profile (total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides) was done using the same laboratory facility for all tests. Serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels remained in the normal range after laser lipolysis. Two hypotheses can be proposed: (i) fat elimination is so gradual that an increase in circulating lipid levels is not measurable; (ii) the damaged adipocytes are undergoing apoptosis and being removed by phagocytosis, presumably via activated macrophages.