Review: Lipo Laser Fat Reduction (Lapex 2000 BCS)
By abeauty1
With so many cosmetic lasers for fat reduction, how do you know which to choose? As a professional who has performed numerous treatments for guests, here is my personal opinion review on the Lipo Laser by Meridian Medical (which is different and should not be confused with Laser Liposuction or Smart Lipo).
How It Works: Lipo Laser uses laser energy to penetrate to your fat cells and make them temporarily porous (for 3 hours). This allows the contents of the cell to escape into the interstitial cell space, and can be removed through either your lymphatic system or by being metabolized to your muscles through exercise. In other words: Your fat cells are like grapes, and the procedure is like squishing out their insides. However, unlike a grape, the insides of your fat cells can return in three hours.
The Procedure: The client chooses an area to target such as the inner thighs or abdomen. Two medium sized rectangle paddles are strapped to that area, each with four holes where the laser light comes out of. Two smaller paddles are placed on areas that can stimulate your lymphatic system, often just below your underarms. The two larger paddles are moved every 10 minutes to cover the entire area you want treated. Most sessions are 40 minutes in length.
For the client, there is absolutely no discomfort. In fact, there is no sensation at all. The only indication that the machine is even turned on, is the glowing red light that emits from all four paddles.
Results: This is not a stand-alone treatment, and actually requires that the guest do at least 30 minutes of exercise after the treatment. The fat cells are porous for approximately 3 hours, and any contents that are not peed, sweated or exercised out will settle back and reduce the results.
Many spas will do measurements around certain areas right before and after the treatment, usually resulting an about an average quarter inch loss. Some spas will do multiple measurements in one area and add up the results. For example, if three areas are measured around the abdomen (at the belly button and one inch above and below) and a quarter inch difference is noticed in all three areas, many spas will claim this is a three quarter inch reduction - which can be misleading.
Cost: The average cost (in Canadian) is $200 per treatment, with a series of 8 recommended. Many spas will give an introductory price of $50 or $100 for your first visit so you can see the results. Although there is usually an immediate inch loss difference (which gets you hooked), this rarely lasts until the next day.
My Professional Opinion: With the numerous guests that I performed this service on, I found that about 80% of the people who completed their series of 8 were dissatisfied with the results. Many saw no change on their last measurement from the first, and a few even saw a gain at the end. For the guests who did see a difference, it was clear that their lifestyle had a big influence, with many going regularly to the gym. My professional opinion on this treatment is to skip it and save your money, but if you are truly set on trying this, or are in the middle of the process already there are a few things I would recommend:
- Make sure you do your own measurements, not just at the spa. This will help you gain a truly unbiased assessment of the effectiveness of your treatments. If after 2 or 3 treatments you aren’t seeing any results, stop and find something else that works.
- If the theory behind the science is correct, the more exercise you do for the first three hours after the treatment, the better. Take full advantage of this and gain control of directing your own results.
- Secondary treatments are recommended to facilitate results. I have personally found that using an infrared sauna right after helps to increase and sustain the inch loss, but even using an infrared sauna on it’s own can create some pretty amazing results.
- Your lymphatic system is a big part of this procedure, and can create undesired results if it is sluggish or inactive. Many health food stores have inexpensive supplements that can give you a boost.
Comments
Thank you so much for an unbiased review.
For a treatment as expensive as this one it's nice to have an honest answer, especially for those who are not super wealthy.
All the best,
v
I found no lasting results with this laser and was disappointed. Then I tried the Sharplight Laser Technology where the fat cells actually get destroyed and do not return and you don't need to work out. With 4 treatments 11 cm loss. I am amazed. I can highly recommend to search for a Sharplight Laser if you really want to improve your body contour :-).
Im making this reply to Em's comment about "destroying fat cells in the body"!! There is no way a laser can nor will ever destroy a fat cell!! So just go back and study your Anatomy again!! It will only shrink it!! Fat cells can only be removed through Liposuction or a surgical procedure. I'm sorry to inform all of you that wanted this to be a quick fix!! :(
Great post, very informative, extremely useful! Thank you
Very useful article.I love its information.
Thank you all for your posts. Very informative.
Thank you everyone for leaving your comments. I really appreciate them!
Mici1864,
No. CoolSculpting also destroys fat cells, but apart from what you mentioned and CoolSculpting yea I don't think other procedures can "destroy" fat cells. I tried CoolSculpting (belly & waste) it was quite effective. My waist is currently about 25". I am interested in Lipo Laser but I think if I do proceed I think I will buy an infrared sauna blanket to keep at home to use right after each session. Thanks for the informative & honest article!!
Thanks for insightful and honest review. I don't want to spend money on something that most likely will not work for me and will not have permanent results.
Thank you for this article. It is excellent. I wish it was easier to find clear information about such things. BTW, do you have an opinion on or know a good equally unbiased article on Smart Lipo?
Thank you soooooo much for ur honesty
I am always embarrassed when I stroll the aisles of the exhibitor halls at a large chiropractic convention. Many of these exhibitors are hawking the latest fad device. One of them, in my opinion, are these lasers claiming to reduce fat cells. These machines cost over eighty grand. I think they are the biggest scam out there. I have never known them to work. Because of the price tag one might think they HAVE to work. No they don't. Notice you have to follow a strict diet while undergoing these expensive treatments. Well, of course you'll lose weight and reduce overall body fat if you go on a strict diet. You don't need the machine. I think they are completely worthless in every way. I wouldn't pay a nickel to have the procedures done. I wish everyone who can read this post would follow my advice and stay clear of these bogus devices. Put your money to use in real places--rent, food, buying coats for the poor....
I am on my second session and I am very desapointed with the results. I will finish my third treatment because I got it as a gift. Reading the information above, I compared to how they do here in Ne and they spend only 10 minutes on each side then the 10 minutes in that vabration platform. They are reaping people's money off.
I feel more results when I eat better and exercise!!!
Scam!
Scam!
Scam!!!!
thanks for saving me all that money I was about to waist
I was given the information about this procedure by my chiropractor. I was excited to find out more about it. I am a over weight and have a lot of trouble loosing weight. I was hoping this would be a hopeful answer. Wishfull thinking I guess
I just got done with my 8th session in Pittsburgh and I have to say that I am very disappointed. I lost a total of 3 inches for 8 sessions. There is no visual either. I spent 900 for 6 and got 2 sessions for free. Would I do again? NO! I am going to spend my money on smartlipo for permanent results. Plus, Its so time consuming. I had to switch all my jobs around. No I'm not impressed and will not do it again. I can even get 3 free if I recommend someone, but I dont care.
I have used it on my tummy and I have had 6 seeions and I think it works but I have been drinking the recommended amount of water to help flush my system
I had liposuction 22 years ago. When I grew fatter my bust increased 2 sizes but my tummy never returned.
IM SO GLAD I READ THIS.I HAD A FEELING IT WAS A SCAM ....I WORK OUT 4-5 TIMES A WEEK WITH A TRAINNER ONCE A WEEK AND I TRY TO EAT GOOD BUT I STILL CANT LOOSE THAT MUFFIN TO AND AFTER 3 KIDS IM TIRED OF LOOKING LIKE THIS.
Have any of you tried the iLipo. I had fantastic results with it. Very surprised at some of the above comments - maybe the candidates didn't do the post treatment exercise or though bcos they were burning fat they could eat more????????
A friend and i did the Lipolaser & the Eurowave in Vancouver before going to Mexico. I have worked out regularly for years and could never get rid of this last little pudge around my middle.
I lost 3 inches and my friend lost 4 but he had more pudge than I did. We were both really happy once on the beach in Mexico.
Paul at vancouver Lipolaser recommends a combo of both the Lipolaser and Eurowave(Electro Muscle stimulation. As most people have weak cores and by combing the two procedure's you loose the fat plus tighten the core as well.
very happy and satisfied with the results both myself and friends received.
And yes you have to exercise after the sessions as all the laser is doing heating up and weakening your fat cells. So if you don't exercise you aren't going to burn it off. And of course not see results. Use your head.. and get off your bum and exercise.
tiffany 23 months ago
I operate this laser and also use it on myself. I have charted progress on clients and in many cases there us some 'rebound' (gaining back part of the loss) but for the most part I have seen that if it is used consistently for a program of 6-12 treatments, there is real and measurable loss. The manufacturer recommends using a whole body vibration platform for 10 min following each treatment and the author of this post is absolutely correct in saying that getting some activity in or using a sauna in the hours after each treatment maximizes the benefit. The best thing in my opinion is that it targets areas that don't respond to traditional exercise i.e. bra bulge, bingo arms, front of knee etc. Do your own measurements at home and chart your progrss on an x/y axis graph. If it doesn't consistently go downward at the end of a 6-8 treatment course, then it's probably not for you.