A Smaller Waist? A Cinch With Liposonix
For centuries a small waist has been a revered element of the idealized female silhouette. In lieu of yesterday’s corset to cinch the waist, today we have a growing list of options to aid in managing our middle. The latest to speak of? The Liposonix system for non-invasive waist circumference reduction.
Last week, the FDA gave the green light to the Liposonix system (Medicis), which uses advanced high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) technology to permanently destroy targeted fat just beneath the skin in the treatment areas of the abdomen and flanks as a noninvasive, nonsurgical approach to slimming the waist.
As is the trend with high-tech body sculpting devices, this treatment isn’t a weight-loss solution or a replacement for liposuction. Instead, it’s for that inch that you can pinch and can’t seem to get rid of with diet and exercise. (Detail work!)
According to Jonah Shacknai, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation,“We believe many adults wishing to reduce their waistlines by several centimeters could be potential candidates for the Liposonix treatment."
In clinical studies, the Liposonix system demonstrated a mean change in waist circumference of about 1 inch in the treatment group (vs control), which is roughly the equivalent of one dress size. This was after a single treatment. During the 1-hour treatment patients reported mild discomfort, cold and warm temperatures, and prickling or tingling. No anesthesia is necessary, according to the company. When it’s all done, patients may experience mild discomfort, bruising, redness and swelling in the treatment area. As for results, you can expect to see those in 8 to 12 weeks post-treatment.
While Liposonix is currently marketed in Canada, the European Union and Japan, and will continue to be supported by Medicis, they are not planning to launch the system in the US, but anticipate a possible US launch by an acquiring company.