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Majority of cosmetic treatments performed in the U.S. are non-surgical

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Most Americans have their weight on their minds. We watch what we eat, we exercise – or tell ourselves that we will – and we keep an eye on our pant sizes like nobody’s business. This doesn’t necessarily mean that most of us are unhappy with ourselves – rather, we want to look the best we can. After all, a slimmer, toned physique is not only associated with better health and a more youthful appearance, but can be a confidence booster as well.

This may explain the skyrocketing popularity of minimally invasive cosmetic procedures like laser liposuction. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, an estimated 83 percent of techniques performed by plastic surgeons in 2010 were non-surgical. This amounted to approximately 8 million treatments at a cost of $4.1 billion.

“The ideal candidate is somebody who’s in reasonably good shape, somebody who has some love handles or a post-pregnancy pouch or back fat that doesn’t want to disappear,” explained surgeon Dieter Manstein, quoted by the Los Angeles Times.

Laser liposuction is offered as a complement to a healthy lifestyle that consists of a nutritious diet and plenty of physical activity, rather than as a quick-fix. The procedure uses targeted laser energy to address problem areas such as the stomach, hips, upper arms, thighs, inner knees and underneath the chin.

An effective, FDA-approved treatment like SlimLipo specifically focuses on fat cells in these regions of the body, which is administered after the patient is given anesthesia in order to make the process more comfortable. After the cells are liquefied, they are removed with thin suction wands called cannulas.

The technique is quick, easy and requires relatively little downtime, with most individuals ready to get back to their everyday lives within a day or two. These benefits have led to the rising popularity of such minimally invasive treatments, as have the smoother, more natural-looking results.

“Some patients just aren’t interested in a surgical option,” said surgeon Jeffrey Kenkel, who serves as president of the American Society for Aethestic Plastic Surgery, quoted by the Times.

In this respect, laser liposuction may be the ideal cosmetic treatment for those who are looking for a safe alternative to surgery with pleasing results and a much shorter recovery time.