The Safety And Efficacy of 1320-nm Wavelength Laser Lipolysis-Assisted Lipoaspiration In the Remodeling of the Underchin Neck and Jowl

Summary: The combination of 1320-nm laser lipolysis with lipoaspiration was observed to improve the appearance and contour of the infrachin neck, doubling the improvement seen with prior lipoaspiration performed by identical technique but without the addition of laser lipolysis. This is a preliminary report as to safety of the use of 1320-nm laser lipolysis. No adverse effects were observed in this report of 30 patients. Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of 1320nm laser lipolysis when combined with lipoaspiration as compared to lipoaspiration performed with identical technique but without laser lipolysis. Background: Our impression of “aging” of the face may be determined more by a visual impression of the neck and chin than by any other aspect of the face alone. We really never “see” the face as such but rather form a visual impression of the face and neck as one visual image. Syringe assisted-lipoaspiration of the underchin neck and jowl has offered our patients a partial answer, but for those patients with laxity as well as adipose tissue fullness there is a need for an approach to treatment that would give our patients better, deeper tissue skin tightening as well as effective removal of excess fatty tissue. Laser lipolysis, the effacement of small unwanted areas of fat excess with the use of subcutaneous placed small dimensional laser fibers with limited lipoaspiration, has been described with 1064 Nd:YAG laser use for the submental neck, volar upper arms and medial thighs, areas where traditionally with lipoaspiration alone there has been a need for a greater enhancement of tissue tightening. At this time it remains uncertain as to which laser wavelength is the optimum wavelength for laser lipolysis. The closer tissue absorption characteristics of 1320-nm wavelength may make this a more ideal and safer wavelength for selection for laser lipolysis is the smaller and more vital tissue compartment of the underchin neck. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of 1320-nm laser lipolysis and to establish a clear increase in clinical improvement as seen with laser lipolysis combined with lipoaspiration as compared to lipoaspiration without laser lipolysis.