Serum lipid changes following laser lipolysis

Background: 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. Objective: 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. Methods: 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 18W Cumulative energies varied from 22000J to 50150J. Fasting blood samples were obtained before the procedure and I day, 3 days, 2 weeks and I month after. A standard lipid profile (total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides) was done using the same laboratory facility for all tests. Results: Serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels remained in the normal range after laser lipolysis. Conclusion: 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.