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Airsculpt is a form of liposuction where fat is vacuumed out through tiny incisions in the skin like all other types of laser liposuction.
Airsculpt® by Elite Body Sculpture uses laser energy. Points of differentiation in online descriptions include:
- That it is performed while the patient is awake
- That it is performed without a scalpel
- Less bruising, easier recovery
But is this unique or simply a way with words?
- Other traditional liposuction methods can also be done with twilight or awake anesthesia.
Instead of using a scalpel to open a tiny opening for a liposuction port, Airsculpt uses a sharp instrument called a trocar, a sharp-pointed surgical instrument fitted with a cannula to get through the skin. A porthole is necessary to introduce suction cannulas like all surgeons doing liposuction. From the patient’s perspective, there is no difference between using a scalpel or a trocar.
- The claim that Airsculpt has less bruising and an easier recovery is questionable (we discuss below). The website does not offer substantive information to justify this claim.
- Air is not a factor in this method in any way. It may create the impression of a special kind of liposuction, but is there nothing unique about this technique?
Airsculpt is often billed as non-surgical and “minimally invasive.” In reality, any cutting method is a surgical procedure, and Airsculpt does require tiny holes in the skin when it is performed. This technique is traumatic to the skin because the fat is sucked out directly without the bonds between fat cells being broken. Soft tissue scarring is not unrealistic with this technique since heat is being used to melt the fat.
AirSculpt® Advantage Claims
AirSculpt® body contouring claims it is a minimally invasive and effective procedure for minor fat removal. Instead of using a knife and surgical incision like liposuction, the AirSculpt® procedure uses a trocar cannula. The wound heals a mark like a freckle or natural skin imperfection, but there will still be a surgical incision scar.
No General Anesthesia
Unlike some forms of more extensive liposuction and other surgical treatments, AirSculpt® does not use general anesthesia. You remain awake throughout the treatment and are given an oral medicine to help you relax and a local anesthetic. However, this is not unique to AirSculpt and can be utilized in any form of liposuction.
Minimal Downtime, Quick Recovery
Because AirSculpt Technologies ® is advertised as a minimally invasive procedure, there should be less downtime and quicker recovery compared to more extensive liposuction techniques. AirSculpt® results are thus typically more conservative, whereas other more comprehensive liposuction techniques require longer recovery times, although results are more dramatic.
The Disadvantages of Airsculpt
Although web pages tout Airsculpt as a standard liposuction technique, it can only accomplish mid- definition at best as fat extraction can only be accomplished minimally. Liposuction needs to be done more comprehensively to unveil muscle definition and shaping. For example, a patient wanting liposculpture could not get actual body sculpting or dramatic results with AirSculpt.
The patient being awake means limited fat removal and potentially suboptimal results. Compared to VASER liposuction, performed under general anesthesia, the results are night and day for contouring. Much more significant amounts of fat are removed with VASER, and at the same time, more healthy fat is harvested for transfer to the buttocks or breasts. Although your surgeon must be more focused and takes longer surgical times, VASER liposuction allows for accurate body sculpting and muscle unveiling.
So is Airsculpt Unique?
So, what is Airsculpt? The Airsculpt method is a brand. It offers no substantial differences and has limited advantages. For patients with small amounts of fat or who want modest reshaping, this brand of liposuction offers results that other types of liposuction can achieve with minimal bruising and ease of recovery.
How To Decide When considering a plastic or cosmetic surgeon, choose a doctor that can offer you the best method for your goals. A well-rounded, highly experienced surgeon can offer you the surgical plan to achieve the desired results.
This 37-year-old female patient underwent high-definition liposuction with VASER of the abdomen, back, and flanks, fat grafting to the buttocks and lateral hips, a modified abdominal skin resection, and a lateral thigh and buttock tuck.
Vaser Lipo and AirSculpt | What is the Difference Between Them?
Fat Removal Between VASER and AirSculpt Technologies
The VASER system uses ultrasound waves to break up fat cells from surrounding tissue. This method is used in conjunction with liposuction to help extract large amounts of unwanted fat.
VASER gently cavitates the fat and gently shakes the fat cells loose so your surgeon can remove the fat cells. Fat Cavitation is a new technology that creates microcavities within the fat cells, causing them to rupture and release stored triglycerides into the bloodstream.
AirSculpt uses laser energy to melt the fat, damaging the cells and not allowing for fat transfer for a BBL or natural breast augmentation.