How SculpSure works

SculpSure is a laser made by Cynosure that works at 1060 nanometres, a wavelength the maker describes as having a specific affinity for fat. Flat applicators, up to four at once on a belt for the body or a small mask for the chin, are placed over the bulge. The laser heats the fat layer beneath the skin to a temperature that damages fat cells, while the cooled surface of each applicator protects the skin; the maker calls this Advanced Contact Cooling. The US regulator's own comparison table describes the treatment as heat-assisted. Over the following weeks the body clears the damaged cells, and the bulge is smaller. Every treatment is led by Dr Marie Duggan, GMC 7488383, at Sculpsure Clinic, 8 Devonshire Place, London, W1G 6HP, after a free consultation.

What the clearances say

SculpSure is FDA-cleared in the US through the 510(k) route, a finding of equivalence to devices already on the market, not an approval. The latest record is K182741 of January 2019. It covers "non-invasive lipolysis of the abdomen, flanks, back, and thighs in individuals with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or less" and "the submental area in individuals with a BMI of 49 or less". It states that the device "is intended to affect the appearance of visible fat bulges in the abdomen, flanks, back, thighs and submental area". The maker says it is not for weight loss or for people who are obese. The clinic is CQC registered.

The session

1. Free consultation. Dr Marie Duggan, GMC 7488383, examines the bulge, checks your BMI and your history, agrees the areas and the number of treatments, explains the trial figure for your area, and gives you the price in writing. In our practice, photographs are taken with your consent.
2. Fitting. The applicators are fitted over the bulge on a belt, up to four at once for the body, or the mask under the chin.
3. Treatment. The cycle runs 25 minutes per area. It feels hot, with contact cooling running throughout. Tell your clinician if it is uncomfortable; the energy can be adjusted, as it was in the published studies, where pain averaged 3.9 out of 10 under the chin and 6.1 on the knees.
4. Straight after. The area is red and warm, and may feel tender or firm. You can return to normal activities straight away.
5. The first weeks. Tenderness, swelling or a firm feeling in the area, settling over one to three weeks in the studies, while the body clears the damaged fat cells.
6. Results. Visible from about six weeks and best at about twelve weeks after the last treatment, which is when the trials measured; in our practice we photograph the area again then.

Which areas

Every area the device is used on, we treat. The abdomen, the flanks, the back, the inner and outer thighs and under the chin are cleared in the US, each with its own trial, and the knees have one independent study. The upper arms, bra fat and buttocks have no published study, which we say plainly, and we treat them in our practice. The abdomen and flanks page, the double chin page, the thighs and back page and the knees page explain each.

Who it suits

In our practice SculpSure suits an adult close to the weight they want, with a stubborn bulge that diet and exercise have not shifted. It suits someone who wants a 25-minute session, can return to normal activities straight away and accepts a result that shows over weeks. The US clearance sets a BMI of 30 or less for the body and 49 or less for the chin. The maker lists no contraindication, so your clinician checks your suitability at the consultation, including pregnancy, skin conditions, medicines, previous surgery in the area and your BMI. The full guide covers the rest.