McKinney, TX--Erchonia, a company specializing in low-level light therapy (LLLT), is successfully applying its Zerona trademarked laser for liposuction. The system uses a red laser originally designed for pain therapy, according to an article in First Coast News as well as in several other news outlets. This application is not new; several companies are in the laser liposuction market.
The article says that the Zerona laser is being used on stubborn areas to leach fat out of cells. It's a four-armed laser with red beams. A case study says that Stefani Martinez dieted and exercised but had stubborn fat that wouldn't budge. She underwent six, 40 minute sessions at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center over two weeks. "I saw results in the third session. At the very last session, I saw a dramatic change," said Martinez. Three inches in the hips, two and a half in the thighs, she said.
The Zerona laser, FDA approved to treat pain and inflammation after surgeries, is now, according to its maker, forcing fat out of cells. Doctor Jeffrey Kenkel, vice-chairman of plastic surgery at University of Texas Southwestern has conducted several clinical trials on Zerona and said about 90% of patients saw dramatic results. "Some of the fat actually leaches out of the fat cells and is taken up by your body and reused in other ways," Kenkel said. Using a 3D measuring machine, 3,000 measurements were taken, yielding scientific results. "Are the results the same as what we would see with liposuction, probably not. I think we have to be cautious here. I think it's an alternative for patients who may be a little bit closer, but still have some problem areas and are not necessarily interested in surgery," Kenkel said.
While many doctors are marketing and using Zerona to zap fat, it is not FDA approved for that use. "We use a lot of products as an "off label" use if the physicians are well educated. Obviously, we need to tell our patients that, that this is an off label use. When the FDA will make a ruling on this, it's really hard to know," said Kenkel. He said Zerona is safe. But how long the results last are up to the patient. "We haven't destroyed the fat cells with this device, so there is a good chance that you can regain weight in that area," said Kenkel.
The article concludes by saying that the cost for the treatment runs anywhere from $1,600 to $2,500 for a package of six sessions.
--Posted by Gail Overton; [email protected]; www.laserfocusworld.com.