Selective Photothermolysis: Death to Fat?
A study published in the Journal of Laser in Surgery and Medicine reported on the effects of a Free Electron Laser (FEL) when targeted at the subcutaneous fat layer at 1,210nm and 1,720nm. The researchers from Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Harvard Medical School, assessed that the excitation of fat was twice that of the dermis, and the fat layer was damaged without any apparent injury to the dermis. Here is an excerpt:
Absorption spectra of human fat were measured, identifying promising bands near 1,210 and 1,720 nm. Photothermal excitation of porcine fat and dermis were measured with a 3.5-5 microm thermal camera during exposure to the free electron laser (FEL) at Jefferson National Laboratory. Thermal damage to full-thickness samples exposed at approximately 1,210 nm through a cold contact window, was assessed by nitrobluetetrazolium chloride staining in situ and by light microscopy. RESULTS: Photothermal excitation of fat was twice that of dermis, at lipid absorption bands (1,210, 1,720 nm). At 1,210 nm, a subcutaneous fat layer several mm thick was damaged by FEL exposure, without apparent injury to overlying skin. CONCLUSION: Selective photothermal targeting of fatty tissues is feasible using infrared lipid absorption bands. Potential clinical applications are suggested by this FEL study. (c) 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Pretty exciting stuff. The scientists involved are some of the most prominent in the world. If brought to market, we could see the dream of noninvasive fat removal become a reality.
