Is SculpSure painful? Why is no one talking about this?

Thanks so much for your question!  Sculpsure, as you know, uses laser technology to destroy fat cells, and creates heat for 25 minutes and cycles through periods of heating and then recovers with a cooling blast for 10 seconds. Every patient is different. In our experience, the heating cycle is short enough that it remains very tolerable.  Some areas are more sensitive than others. Some women will say it feels like mild cramping from a period. The heat can also be adjusted in sensitive patients. The cooling blast can also be delivered to the area at any time to help alleviate any discomfort for our patients. 

SculpSure has several adjustable levels of heat intensity which can be moved up or down based upon how sensitive a patient is. There is a very slow ramp-up period which allows us to ensure that we reach the correct heat level so the patient has an effective, yet well tolerable treatment.

SculpSure treatment is not painful at all.  On average , the discomfort level is 3-4 on a scale of 0 to 10.  Most likely the setting used for inappropriate for her or comfort measures for not appropriately utilized during her treatment like " cool blast" option or her discomfort tolerance is very low or she was around her period, which increases sensitivity. In my practice, I stay with my patients during the entire treatment and monitor them to make sure the treatment is very tolerable and my patients are able to watch TV or play on their smart devices during the treatment.   I hope that your friend is at least is happy with her results.  Hope this helps.  Best, Dr.Avaliani

SculpSure uses lasers to heat fat and destroy it.  As such, there will be sensation of heat that may be uncomfortable to some.  Think about it like a hot shower.  Some people feel the water is unbearable while others feel it is soothing and very comfortable. The heat comes in waves and therefore is not constant in nature. The heat can also be adjusted in sensitive patients. It is also possible to ask for a cool blast if the heat becomes unbearable. I would recommend that you discuss the fear of pain with your board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon and ask how they plan to address these concerns.  You can always stop the procedure if it is too uncomfortable.  

I've been performing Sculpsure since it was first introduced and even had it performed on myself so I've seen the range of sensations from people.  Many people don't feel much at all but a bit of warming, but I've found that the majority feel some tingling and pinching sensations in some areas while the treatments is ongoing.  Very few people feel a lot of stinging and burning.  Because Sculpsure's intensity can be adjusted this doesn't have to be a problem.  I've found that I can manage the treatment by going up and down during the session to make it comfortable.  The secret is that you want to make it as warm as you can tolerate so that it is most effective.  Your physiican should be able to help you through this by adjusting the intensity and giving you some cold blasts throughout the procedure if things get too intense.  Just remember, its like taking a hot shower; when you first get in you have the water pretty warm and then slowly get it warmer as your body and skin get used to it.  Just like this most of my patients get used to the heat right at the beginning and then have an easy time through the rest of the procedure.