The Zerona Laser – Understanding the Role of Non-Surgical Fat Reduction

The concept of non-surgical fat reduction has been around for over a century. From belt machine devices in the Sears and Roebuck catalog in the early 1900s to the infomercial weight loss supplements of today, hope is eternal when it comes to getting rid of unwanted fat. No one knows the number of fat reduction methods that have been proposed over this time but it is fair to say it must number in the thousands. So many approaches tell you that not only is there no one single method that is best, but how one loses fat varies for different people.

One concept that is important to understand is the difference between non-surgical vs surgical fat removal. Without question, the definitive way to lose spot areas of fat is liposuction. Liposuction is a proven surgical method to reduce spot areas of fat and trim down specific body areas, but it is an operation and involves expense and recovery.  Non-surgical fat removal, no matter what the method, will never be as effective for spot reduction. One pursues that approach in the hope that enough fat may be lost to not need or desire the surgical solution. In short, non-surgical vs surgical fat reduction are not comparable methods. They have different outcomes.

Now enters one of the newest non-surgical fat treatments known as Zerona. Touted as a painless body slimming method that is proven to remove fat and inches without surgery with zero pain and downtime.  Could such a thing be really true? Is this hype or hope?

Zerona works by using a low frequency ‘cold’ laser that passes through the skin without injury and targets the fat cells. The laser energy targets the fat cells through a photochemical process. Not to be confused with a photothermal (heat) or photoacoustic (vibration) method, this non-heat generating process makes the fat cells ‘leaky’. The fat cells shed their liquid fat content, now known as free-fatty acids,  which is then absorbed through your lymphatic system. The lymphatic system transports it to the liver where it is processed and broken down, and most importantly, not re-circulated and stored again as fat.

Zerona is more than just a machine, it is a process. Treatment sessions number six to nine and have been shown to be able to take off three to five inches in the hips, waist and thigh in two to three weeks. But to aid the lymphatic clearing process, one must significantly increase their water intake and take a twice-daily niacin supplement during the treatment process. The treatment sessions require a commitment and must be done every two to three days to really be effective. Once the fat cells get leaky, you can’t let them heal themselves by missing treatments or having them too far apart. Each treatment session takes just under an hour and is painless. You literally get up and go afterwards. Daily exercise (such as brisk walking, light running, or other cardio training) can increase the final results by aiding in lymphatic clearance and an increased metabolism.

Is Zerona fat reduction too good to be true? It is if you think it is a replacement for liposuction or  a significant weight loss method. But if  you are looking for a safe and no risk method to lose some fat areas, Zerona may be a good option. For some, it is an alternative approach to try before submitting to liposuction and may eliminate the need for that experience and expense altogether. For others it is a commitment and a jump start to a healthier lifestyle…and along the way you may find a few things in your wardrobe that fit again.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana