Is Sculpsure safe? Given that it is new, could it cause long term side effects?

Thank you for your question.

Sculpsure is a noninvasive 1060nm diode laser treatment that removes up to 25% of stubborn fat in the treated area in 25 minutes.It is FDA approved for the abdomen and flanks. It is safe if you get pregnant in the future.
The body contouring effects are seen in as quick as six weeks with final results at 12 weeks. 
The results are permanent as long as you maintain your weight and health.
The laser targets and destroys the fat cells only which are then naturally removed from the body. Since the laser does not affect the skin or muscle it can be used on all skin colors and there has been no reported incidents of burns when treated by a properly trained physician. It is protective since it alternates heating and cooling. 
It has four applicators that can be customized to treat the areas of stubborn fat. 
If a second treatment is needed we wait at least six weeks and usually closer to 12. 

If you notice lumps after (which I've never seen) I would recommend massage. You should also alert your surgeon.

There is no downtime and you can resume your normal activities right after the treatment. There may be some soreness in the area for a few days for which you can take ibuprofen or tylenol. A cold compress can also be used.

Sculpsure is not used for skin tightening however some of our patients have seen this. If more skin tightening is needed we have combined this with thermi or Ulthera for a complete treatment. Sculpsure is recommended for stubborn areas of fat that are not being lost by diet and exercise. It is not a weight loss treatment

Since I have both a coolsculpting and sculpsure I am working on protocols of utilizing both of these depending upon what areas need to be treated and the response to the treatment. 
I have used sculpsure on other areas other than the abdomen with very good results. 

I also use a Vectra 3D imaging system to try and show people what their treatment areas could look like.

Since Sculpsure outcomes can be based on technique and experience, please see a board certified plastic surgeon that specializes body contouring to see if Sculpsure or other treatments are available to meet your goals. 

Take care,

Dr. Schwartz 
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Thank you for your question. SculpSure is the only FDA-approved laser to target and eliminate subcutaneous fat that is oftentimes stubborn and resistant to diet and exercise. As a result, the only side effect is short-term minimal soreness after the treatment. I suggest that you next consult in person with a board certified facial plastic surgeon to determine if you are an ideal candidate.

Best wishes,

No there can't be long term side effects from melting fat, or they would have been apparent from the many other devices that have been melting fat for years.  Aside from limited side effects, after about 3-4 months, any of the immediate effects of the treatment are gone, and the final results are seen. The adverse events reported to the FDA during the clinical trials show that by four months, even the small nodules that occurred in a small percentage of patients were gone.Abdomen Adverse Events

All events were transient and were mild in nature. Instances of erythema werereported and all resolved within a day on average. Instances of pain and edemawere reported and all resolved within 4 to 7 days on average. Instances ofbruising were reported and all resolved within 12 days. Instances of nodulesand hardness were reported and all but one resolved within 55 to 69 days onaverage. Nodules and hardness that were reported did not interfere with dailyactivities and did not require surgical intervention. One (nodule) outstandingadverse event remained at Dr. B Study center at the 12 week follow up. Thepatient still had a trace indurated mass present. This is non-tender, notvisible from the outside and has no clinical significance. The patient is satisfiedwith the result of the treatment and is not disturbed by the presence of themass which she has trouble finding on her own. The nodule was 5 mm and requiredno treatment. The patient returned 6 months post treatment for an examination,at which point the nodule was considered resolved. The only interventions usedwere massage. There were no reports of blistering, pinpoint bleeding, crusting,scabbing, itching, pustules, skin burns, scarring, infection, allergicreaction, hypopigmentation, and hyperpigmentation.

Nodule  8 patients 23% of patients Mild 5 Moderate 3Duration Average 70 days Minimum 35 days Maximum 139 days.

Some discomfort occurred in 74% of patients, Mild in 70%,Moderate in 30 %, 0 Severe; Duration Average 7.4 days, Minimum 0 days, Maximum28 days.