Does SculpSure work to help tighten skin?

Question

How does this machine defer from Forma, or Fractora.

W. John Bullis, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  SculpSure uses laser technology applied by up to 4 heads, each roughly the size of a credit card, to deliver the energy deep into the fatty tissue that lies beneath the skin.  The laser heads also cool the skin periodically, in order to make the treatment more comfortable.  The main purpose of SculpSure is to heat up the fatty tissue enough to cause cellular damage and subsequent death to the fat cells, which results in less fat in the area.  Decreased fat, whether from weight loss from dieting, SculpSure, or liposuction, will result in some degree of skin tightening in most people.  The degree of skin tightening depends on many variables, such as smoking history, weight gain/loss, pregnancies, age, and genetics, to name a few.  Cynosure, the company who makes the SculpSure, is seeking an FDA clearance specifically for skin tightening, so they believe the device can do this more than would be attributed to fat reduction alone.  In my practice, we do not market or rely on SculpSure to treat skin laxity.  In my opinion, SculpSure should not be expected to cause much skin tightening, since it does not heat the skin enough, compared to other devices on the market.  We often couple SculpSure treatments with Thermi250, which is a non-surgical radiofrequency (RF) device for enhanced skin tightening.  Interestingly, Thermi250 works fairly well for fat reduction too and, most likely, SculpSure will also prove to give more skin tightening than simple liposuction, although the research to support the latter is pending at this time.  As you can probably guess from my answer so far, the important factor is the heat and what tissues are being heated.  If skin temperature with SculpSure can approach 45 degrees C. and stay there for most of the treatment time, then one should expect to see some skin tightening.  The question in my mind, is, given the fact that the skin surface is being cooled by the device, can it actually achieve skin temperatures high enough to get this result?  I do not know the answer to that one - in my practice, I have been assuming this is not the case.  The most impressive device for skin tightening is the minimally-invasive RF device, ThermiTight.  It delivers heat to the under surface of the skin and heats full thickness to whatever desired temperature the physician selects, but usually in the range of 45-65 degrees C deep with skin surface temperature around 40 degrees.  As a general rule, if you have good skin quality (no stretch marks, no laxity, no smoking history or severe sun damage, and are under age 60) you should not worry about getting loose skin from SculpSure.  If your skin is already loose, then SculpSure should reduce fat, but do not expect it to do much for skin laxity.  If you already have loose skin, then you would be better off with an additional procedure to address the skin laxity, such as those I mention above or other RF or laser devices specifically aimed at skin tightening.

Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. Yes, SculpSure aids in firming and tightening the skin. Patients have a satisfaction rate of more than 90%. I suggest that you move forward and consult with a board certified facial plastic surgeon.
Best wishes,

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

No, Sculpsure is good for removing stubborn areas of fat, but lacks skin tightening. For best results, I recommend a hi definition procedure like VASER liposuction, which can be performed at the same time as a tummy tuck or body lifting procedure, depending on skin laxity. I use VASER HI DEF with ThermiRF and fat grafting to get the most fat removal, skin tightening, contour and definition. This combination will give you the most toned result. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a hi definition physique expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Laura Riehm, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question.  SculpSure is excellent at permanent fat destruction.  Forma is a bipolar RF skin tightening device.  We prefer Pelleve, a monopolar RF device.  With bipolar, the ground is in the handpiece and you don't get as deep of depth heat penetration vs. Pelleve.  With monopolar, a grounding pad is placed between your shoulders thus sending the heat deeper into the tissue that you are tightening.  While SculpSure has not been approved (YET) for skin tightening, our patients have been very satisfied with their results and do not complain of loose skin post treatment.  Best of luck.

Patricia DePoli, MD, FACS · Answer

SculpSure is a noninvasive laser treatment that specifically targets fat cells and permanently destroys them. Although it is not a skin tightening device, in our office we have observed skin tightening after performing SculpSure.

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Does SculpSure work to help tighten skin?

Answers (5)

Answer: Skin Tightening vs. Fat Melting?

Answer: Skin Tightening vs. Fat Melting?

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Answer: SculpSure and Skin Tightening

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Everything you need to know about SculpSure

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.