SculpSure is an FDA-cleared non-invasive body contouring treatment that is designed to reduce stubborn fat pockets in various areas of the body. SculpSure administers heat to the fat cells with lasers. This destroys the fat cells, and your body then removes them through the lymphatic system, leaving the area smooth, toned, and contoured. SculpSure has become an increasingly popular solution for addressing unwanted body fat, and this treatment can enhance multiple areas of the body during a single appointment.
Dr. Joseph Michaels is a board-certified plastic surgeon with decades of experience helping patients achieve their goals with customizable treatments. He is a specialist in both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures and is sought after for his expert breast, face, and body enhancement treatments.
Contact us online, schedule a virtual consultation, or call your closest office to learn more about how SculpSure can help you achieve your desired body image.
Contents
About SculpSure
SculpSure is a fat removal treatment that helps your body reduce excess fat with laser energy. With SculpSure, we can treat the abdomen, love handles, thighs, and chin (submental fat) to sculpt your body.
As your metabolism changes with age, addressing excess fat with a healthy diet and regular exercise can be challenging. Many patients seek fat reduction and body-contouring procedures, both surgical and non-surgical. In 2023, specialists performed more than 745,000 non-invasive fat reduction procedures to help patients contour their figures and achieve their body goals. (1) SculpSure will use gentle heat application to destroy fat cells, allowing your body to naturally remove them. In a recent study, patients noticed significant fat reduction 1, 3, and 6 months after their treatments. (2)
SculpSure vs. Liposuction
While SculpSure destroys fat cells in the body to improve your appearance for a more slender, sculpted figure, liposuction removes them with gentle suction to enhance your appearance. SculpSure is noninvasive, whereas liposuction does require the use of incisions and the insertion of a cannula. During a liposuction treatment, Dr. Michaels will make a small incision along the natural curves of your body and administer tumescent fluid to the treatment area, which causes the fat cells to swell for easier removal. It also helps preserve the surrounding tissue to minimize downtime.
Liposuction is ideal for patients who need to remove a significant amount of excess fat during a single session. SculpSure will likely require a series of treatments to address a large amount of excess fat. During your consultation, Dr. Michaels will determine which treatment you may benefit most from.
Benefits of SculpSure
SculpSure has several benefits, which include:
- Non-invasive procedure: SculpSure does not require incisions, cannulas, or general anesthesia, meaning treatment is noninvasive and does not require a lengthy recovery.
- Minimal discomfort: SculpSure is well-tolerated by patients. The only sensation they will feel is warmth generated by lasers, and many patients find this comfortable.
- Natural-looking results: Because SculpSure destroys fat cells and your body removes them naturally, the results you achieve will appear as natural weight loss.
- Improved self-confidence: Many patients find that their self-esteem improves after addressing excess fat.
- Long-lasting results: Fat cells do not return after treatment, and if you experience changes to your figure from pregnancy or lifestyle changes, we can repeat the treatment.
Candidates
Suitable candidates for SculpSure are those who seek non-surgical fat reduction and body sculpting and who have realistic expectations about what the procedure can achieve. Candidates should be within 30% of a healthy BMI or close to their ideal body weight and desire a smoother, more contoured figure. Patients should also be in good general health. A consultation with Dr. Michaels will ultimately determine your candidacy after he can assess your goals.
Consultation
Each patient will attend a personal consultation before scheduling their SculpSure procedure. During your consultation, we will ask about your medical history, lifestyle, and medications. Please come prepared to discuss your aesthetic goals and ask any questions you may have. After gathering information about your personal goals and your medical history, Dr. Michaels will create a customized SculpSure treatment plan.
Schedule your consultation today by submitting our online contact form. If you have any further questions, please call your closest office directly.
Preparation
After establishing a treatment plan, Dr. Michaels will provide you with instructions on how to prepare for your SculpSure treatment. We advise patients to get enough rest (7-8 hours of sleep each night) and stay hydrated to support their bodies. You will also need to avoid UV exposure, blood-thinning medications or supplements, alcohol, and nicotine (if applicable). As a noninvasive treatment, SculpSure does not require extensive preparations, but we still recommend closely following all instructions provided to you to optimize your treatment.
Procedure
During your procedure, we will place the SculpSure applicator over the body areas you wish to target. The applicator will make direct contact with your skin, and we will secure its position with a belt to apply the laser energy evenly. The applicator will emit lasers that will gently heat the underlying tissues, destroying the fat cells.
Once these cells are destroyed, your body will naturally remove them through its lymphatic system. (3) The process is generally well-tolerated, but we can administer a topical numbing cream to enhance your comfort if necessary. SculpSure treatments typically take 25 minutes, and most patients can return to their normal daily routines immediately.
Recovery
After your treatment, you may experience some mild tenderness. You can use an ice pack or recommended medications to reduce discomfort. You can resume your usual routine, including exercise, right away. Over the next few weeks, your lymphatic system will process the excess fat cells and remove them from the body, giving you a slimmer appearance. We will monitor your progress during your follow-up appointment and provide specific instructions about when you should schedule your next treatment.
Results
After undergoing SculpSure treatments, you can enjoy a more slender, sculpted figure and athletic-looking appearance. Maintaining a stable weight is important for lasting results, since weight fluctuations can affect your appearance. We recommend that you get 7-8 hours of sleep each night, eat nutritious meals, and exercise regularly to maintain your results.
Cost of SculpSure in the DMV
The cost of SculpSure will depend on the number of treatments you need to achieve your aesthetic goals and the size of the treatment area. During your consultation with Dr. Michaels, you will receive a comprehensive price quote. Our practice also offers financing options to help make your treatment more accessible. Do not wait to address excess fat and sculpt your body with a simple, well-tolerated treatment that can give you your ideal body.
Schedule a consultation to learn more about this innovative treatment. Contact us online, schedule a virtual consultation, or call one of our two locations directly to get started.
FAQ
What happens to the fat cells after you address them with SculpSure?
Your body removes the fat cells through your lymphatic system over the next few weeks to help you achieve a smoother, leaner appearance.
Is SculpSure or CoolSculpting right for me?
During your consultation, we will perform a physical examination to determine the most effective treatment plan for your aesthetic goals. CoolSculpting helps your body remove excess fat cells by freezing them, and the most effective treatment for your needs will depend on the amount of excess fat you would like to address.
Are the results of SculpSure permanent?
Yes, once fat cells are destroyed and removed through your lymphatic system, they will not return.
How many SculpSure treatments will I need?
Although most patients can enjoy results after just a single treatment, the number of treatments you need will depend on the amount of excess fat you would like to treat. After assessing your goals during your consultation, we can recommend how many treatment sessions you would benefit most from.
Is SculpSure a form of liposuction?
No, SculpSure is not a form of liposuction. While both are body contouring and fat removal procedures, liposuction achieves this through the use of incisions, anesthetics, tumescent fluids, and vacuum-powered cannulas. This makes liposuction a more invasive procedure, although it may be more effective than SculpSure for certain patients. SculpSure is a noninvasive procedure that uses heat to destroy fat cells, where they are then removed by your body’s natural filtration systems.
Does SculpSure leave scars?
Because SculpSure does not require incisions, it will not leave any scars. The only mark it may leave is a pale red spot on the treatment site, but this will fade within a few hours.
References
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2023/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2023.pdf
- Yan C, Rungsima Wanitphakdeedecha, Elleza K, et al. Efficacy of Noninvasive 1060-nm Diode Laser for Medial Knee Fat Reduction. Dermatology and therapy. 2022;12(5):1253-1261. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s13555-022-00730-0
- Kislevitz M, Wamsley CE, Kang A, et al. Clinical Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of a 1060-nm Diode Laser for Non-Invasive Fat Reduction of the Abdomen. 2021;41(10):1155-1165. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjaa418
