AirSculpt By Elite Body Sculpture

WHY IS AIRSCULPT EXCITING?

AirSculpt® provides customised body contouring that is far less invasive than traditional liposuction and relatively pain-free, all without using needles, scalpels, stitches, or general anesthesia. It can also remove large quantities of fat at once – up to around five litres – which is not achievable using non-invasive fat removal treatments.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The technique uses innovative spinning technology to pluck out your fat cell by cell, removing it through an opening no larger than a pencil lead. All of this occurs while you remain awake and comfortable enough to listen to music or chat to a friend. Plus, the technology does more than just remove fat. It can collect and transfer it too, with the aim of lifting, shaping and defining areas such as the breasts, hips, and bottom more naturally than with silicone or gel injections.  It also tightens the skin to provide more dramatic and natural results.

CAN IT BE USED FOR CELLULITE AND SAGGING?

There are now two additional AirSculpt® offerings on hand to help your practitioner treat the full-breadth of body contouring concerns. AirSculpt®+ utilises technology called Renuvion, which combines helium gas and radio-frequency energy to improve skin laxity, especially in areas where removing large amounts of fat can cause sagging, such as the stomach and arms.  AirSculpt’s cellulite removal technology, AirSculpt Smooth is currently not available yet in the UK.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE TREATMENT?

AirSculpt®’s four-step protocols are filled with innovative ways to minimise pain and maximise precision. The surgeon starts by numbing the treatment areas with an AirPen – a device that uses pressurised air to administer a topical anesthetic, in place of a needle. Next, skipping the need for scar-encouraging scalpel cuts, a biopsy punch tool creates perfectly symmetrical two-millimeter-wide openings in the skin, through which a local anesthetic is applied. After this, AirSculpt® fat removal can begin. It’s achieved using a unique, patented cannula that gently plucks out individual fat cells, the enhanced precision of which enhances results while minimising side effects to surrounding areas. Finally, once the fat has been extracted, the tiny entry points are left to heal naturally as you continue about your day fairly normally.

WHERE CAN IT BE USED?

As the brand’s saying goes, “if you can pinch it, we can take it,” so you can get AirSculpt® pretty much anywhere between your chin and ankles. The most popular treatment areas are the chin, abdomen, waist, love handles, back, legs, arms, banana rolls, and pubic region, while AirSculpt® fat transfers are available to the hands, breasts, buttocks, and hips. 

IS IT PAINFUL?

AirSculpt® is designed to be virtually pain-free, with the delicate nature of the fat removal leading to vibration or deep-tissue-massage-like sensations. In fact, you should remain comfortable enough to carry out a conversation and listen to music, with the offer of oral medication to help you relax should you wish.

HOW LONG DOES THE PROCEDURE TAKE?

With treatment lasting as little as 30 minutes, AirSculpt® has gained a reputation as a ‘lunchtime procedure’, due to its swift fat extraction process. That said, you’ll still need a thorough consultation with your practitioner beforehand, and as a medical procedure does need careful consideration.  

HOW QUICKLY CAN YOU SEE RESULTS?

Initial toning results can be seen instantly, but for the full body contouring and tightening effect, you’ll experience maximum benefits after one to three months. 

HOW LONG DO THE RESULTS LAST?

Your results are permanent because fat cells do not regenerate. However, you should still live a healthy, active lifestyle, which includes a good diet and exercise, to avoid fat gain, especially in untreated areas.

WILL AIRSCULPT® CAUSE SCARRING?

Not noticeably, if at all. As fat is removed through such a small opening about two millimeters wide and left to heal naturally, any marks left should be similar to a freckle or natural skin blemish instead of a noticeable surgical scar with tell-tale suture marks.

ARE THERE WEIGHT/BMI RESTRICTIONS?

Unlike many body sculpting technologies, there is no specific BMI or weight requirement for AirSculpt®, making it suitable for a wide range of body types.

HOW SAFE IS THE TREATMENT?

The technology is designed to only target subcutaneous fat – the pinchable layer just beneath the skin – and it is designed to turn off if it comes into contact with the deeper layers. This is important for safety as it means it reduces the risk of damage any organs.

HOW DOES IT COMPARE TO LIPOSUCTION?

Traditional liposuction is a surgical procedure that removes excess body fat, using a hollow suction tube inserted through an incision to remove fat from under the skin. For this reason it often requires  general anesthesia and stitches, making AirSculpt a much less invasive and painful option. Liposuction also has more significant scarring and longer downtime, including the risk of excessive bruising and swelling. In fact, while liposuction takes about six months to heal, AirSculpt® can provide its best results in as little as a couple of month.

HOW DOES IT COMPARE TO FAT-DISSOLVING INJECTIONS?

Deoxycholic acid – or fat dissolving – injections aim to dissolve fat cells over time, requiring numerous acid injections into the targeted areas, with FDA-approval for use only under the neck and chin. Due to the injections’ need for multiple, spaced-out sessions and a sensation akin to ‘many red ants’ stings’ during treatment, AirSculpt markets itself as a faster, needle-free and less painful option to sculpt and tighten the full body.

HOW DOES IT COMPARE TO NON-INVASIVE TREATMENTS?

While AirSculpt® is more invasive than treatments that aim to reduce fat using a laser or ultrasound, these non-invasive procedures don’t tend to offer as long-lasting a result. That’s because zapping fat cells in this way empties rather than destroys them (as is the case with AirSculpt®), meaning fat can easily return to the targeted area if a patient gains weight.  

HOW LONG IS THE DOWNTIME?

Unlike traditional fat reduction techniques, recovery is not grueling or long. There are no stitches to take out post-treatment, so you don’t need to return to your practitioner, and you can leave the entry sites to heal naturally. You’ll be able to walk out of your procedure with only minor soreness and bruising, wearing a custom compression garment to keep your results symmetrical and your skin tight. Many people get back to their regular routine only 48 hours post-treatment, although you should wait between one and three days before returning to work and a couple of weeks before doing heavy exercise. Your practitioner will provide the best advice for your specific circumstances. 

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Pricing depends on practitioner experience and location, as well as the body areas you want to treat, but costs tend to start from £8,000.

WHO CREATED IT?

AirSculpt® was founded by Dr. Aaron Rollins, one of Hollywood’s leading providers of body contouring procedures. Focusing entirely on removing and transferring fat to give their patients the best results in serene settings, the Beverly Hills-based group of cosmetic surgery clinics is run on the philosophy that making commitments to change your body should not be painful.