Does SculpSure damage muscle? Can it be used for the upper back?

Question

How deep does the laser reach? Can it damage muscle? How about passing through muscle if not damaging it? I would like to treat my upper back since I tend to store my stubborn fat there. But since the FDA has only approved for abs & flanks, I'd be worried that it would reach my breast fat & destroy what little I have. I'm the skinny-fat type, no matter how much weight lifting & cardio I do.

Mark Karolak, DO, FAOCO · Answer

Lasers have this great ability
to selectively target certain tissues, and the SculpSure laser only targets and
damages fat, and only to a depth of about 3cm. We have seen it is perfectly
safe for the off-label use of treating back fat.

When it comes to the concern of
treating areas you’d rather not lose fat in, don’t be overly worried. The
SculpSure treatment panels deliver laser energy to an area of up to 3cm away
from the panel edge. So, your trained provider would be sure to position the
panels at least 3cm away from the breast tissue, assuming you are treating bra
fat near your armpit. If you are planning to treat bra fat near your armpit,
you may also want to see a bra fit specialist prior to sculpsure – it may be
that what you see as a stubborn roll of fat is actually breast tissue that
cannot properly fit in a bra cup that is too small. If you are treating bra fat
that’s really more on the back than near the armpit, then you should rest easy
knowing the laser would never be able to reach tissue that far away.

Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. SculpSure is intended for body contouring because it eliminates stubborn pockets of fat. SculpSure can target certain trouble areas. I suggest that you move forward and consult with a board certified facial plastic surgeon.
Best wishes,

Nikesh K. Patel, MD · Answer

Sculpsure has been approved for the abdomen flanks/love handles but its core mission is to target fat a below the skin.  It will not typically go deep enough to reach the muscles in most cases.  Even so, because it targets fat, it theoretically can be used anywhere there is fat, even on your back.  We've been using it in my practice since it first came out and have a great amount of experience with it.  I suggest you find a Sculpsure specialist in your area to see how well it may work for you

Jaime S. Schwartz, MD, FACS · Answer

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. 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 her 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 treatmentSince 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 SurgeonDirector-Beverly Hills Breast and Body Institute

Naveen Setty, MD · Answer

The laser wavelength used in SculpSure targets fat cells and does not penetrate deep enough to affect the muscle layer.  It is common for these types of treatments to be used "off label" and target areas other than what was approved by the FDA.  As long as there is an area of fat that can be targeted, SculpSure should be safe to use.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

It is currently indicated for abdomen and flanks but other areas can be treated if there is fat as an off-label indication.  It should not damage muscle or any underlying structures as the laser energy is focused on fat cells.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Brian K. Reedy, MD · Answer

Hi and thank you for your question! The lasers on the SculpSure do not penetrate deep enough to effect the muscle however it is not recommended to be used over boney area. It's best to schedule a one on one consultation with your surgeon to better determine whether these areas will be able to be safely addressed with SculpSure. Good luck!

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

You are correct that SculpSure is currently FDA-approved for use on the abdomen and flanks, but the back can be treated as an off-label use.  I have treated women to this area in the past.  The laser will only penetrate to the subcutaneous fat level and not deeper to the muscle, so it would not reach the breast fat when treating the back.

Sean Doherty, MD, FACS · Answer

No, SculpSure does not damage the muscle. Only the fat. While it is FDA approved for the abs and flanks, I use it "off label" to treat bra rolls, arms, legs and inner and outer thighs. Totally safe. Hope this helps.

Dennis Gross, MD · Answer

SculpSure is the world’s first FDA-cleared laser treatment for non-invasive lipolysis of the flanks and abdomen. At my office we have successfully used it on other areas such as hips, love handles, thighs, buttocks, upper arms, over knees and fat bulges over the bra. It’s a state-of-the-art, controlled light-based technology, ideal for patients looking to get rid of stubborn fat.The 1060 nm wavelength’s specific affinity for adipose tissue, coupled with minimal absorption in the dermis, allows SculpSure to efficiently treat areas of troublesome fat in just 25 minutes. Over time, the body naturally eliminates the disrupted fat cells with results seen as quickly as 6 weeks and optimal results usually seen in as few as 12 weeks. So you can see SculpSure does not go deep enough to damage any muscle. It would be perfect to treat the upper back!Controlled hyperthermic fat reductionElevates adipose tissue temperature between 42°C and 47°CNo damage to dermal tissueUp to 24% fat reduction1Clinically proven in multisite trials in over 100 patientsOver 90% patient satisfaction rate2Comfortable and well-tolerated treatment3Can be used on all skin types

Does SculpSure damage muscle? Can it be used for the upper back?

Answers (19)

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