Is true cellulite reduction and true reduction of pesky fat deposits with measurable inch losses possible, through a simple, completely non-invasive, 100% painless and convenient office treatment? The short answer is yes! The long answer should start with a very brief review of how this all came to be.
The Zerona is a medical device that came into public use about 5 years ago. It is a Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) device that uses a familiar red-colored (635nm) surface laser, the so-called “cold” laser, which does not generate heat or burn when shined on the skin surface (ie completely non-invasive and completely painless). However, the energy from the laser light passes harmlessly through the skin and is absorbed by the fat cells just below, “tricking” them into melting away on their own! Based on more than 15 years of research and more than 20 peer-reviewed medical journal articles demonstrating its validity, Zerona received FDA 510(k) clearances between 2010 and 2013 for the “non-invasive reduction of circumference arms, waist, hips and thighs”. through fat reduction. Follow-up studies have replicated significant reductions in circumference (such as a total loss of 3.5 inches vs. 0.6 inches for placebo) as a result of a full course of treatments (typically a series of 5 to 6 treatment sessions ) and with the results documented as persistent. long-term for at least a year! This is not a temporary “redistribution” of fat or a temporary decrease in tissue fluids. The studies were conducted with participants who agreed to make NO CHANGES to diet, NO CHANGES to activity or exercise level, and NO complementary therapies to see what the true results would be from the Zerona LLLT treatments alone. Results were often seen to be visible in as little as 2 weeks! Consider that the 3.5 total inch loss observed in the research subjects corresponds to a loss of approximately 12,600 calories! That’s the equivalent of 42 cheeseburgers or 72 cartons of ice cream! 12,600 calories represents a loss of about 2,000 cc (that’s 4-5 pounds!) of pure fat! If one were exercising in an attempt to burn this many calories, it would take 40 hours of swimming, 18 hours of jogging, or about 21 hours of tennis!
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) causes transient lipid-draining pores to open in the fat (adipose) cells just under the skin; there is no necrosis, thermal damage, cell disruption, destruction, or lysis. Lipid liquefaction is stimulated and stored fat is slowly but surely filtered out. All affected cells lose their fat, and as more and more become emptied, the fat cells begin to collapse and shrink. These laser stimulated leaky pores stay open for about 48 hours or more, leading to more and more fat cells being emptied and shrinking for about 2-3 days after treatment. A well-known natural enzyme compound in the body, cyclic AMP, is the key to all of this. The absorption of laser light turns on this enzyme switch, causing something called cytochrome C oxidase activation which then directly opens all the pores. This is the exact same mechanism triggered by aggressive dieting or exercise! After treatment, microscopic histology studies show that the pores are opening up! Thereafter, we can see and track the fat cells, hundreds of thousands of them, all collapsing and shrinking as their lipids are released, followed by a 25% decrease in the thickness of the subcutaneous fat layer. Dr. Rodrigo Neira’s research demonstrated that pores open and fat cells begin to empty after just 18 minutes of skin exposure to LLLT. He also showed that even though fat cells empty their contents, the cells remain viable and undamaged. Fat cells are involved in the production/regulation of hormones and many other key bodily functions. We don’t want them killed or gone, we just want them to be as small and depleted of their fat stores as possible! Dr. Neira’s results have been independently confirmed by other researchers. MRIs have shown emulsification of fat (melting/draining of fat) as deep as 5.0 cm (2 to 3 inches) under the skin.
Have you heard of the Marvel superhero “The Green Lantern”? Well, we’ve dubbed the Verjú device our superhero “Green Laser”, because Verjú is the next step in the evolution of this amazing non-invasive fat-melting technology! The Verjú Green Laser uses a unique (532nm) low level (16mW) green diode laser light that causes as much discomfort to the skin as shining a flashlight on it (that is, none!). Verjú delivers approximately 25% more pore-opening and fat-melting energy to fat cells than any red laser (even the Zerona). This translates into a decrease in the total therapy time needed compared to Zerona to achieve the results. In a 2014 study published in the prestigious American Journal of Cosmetic Surgery, a total reduction of 4 inches in circumference was seen in just 2 weeks! Studies have also shown a reduction of 0.25 inches to one inch with just one treatment session! Only patients with advanced and significant cellulite (Nurnburger-Muller cellulite classification stage 2 or 3) participated in the cellulite portion of this study. These patients demonstrated that at 2 weeks, 65% had a significant improvement in their cellulite (versus 3% improvement in the placebo group). At 4 weeks there was an 89% satisfaction rate (versus 26% satisfaction rate in the placebo group). There are no known side effects with Verju. Verju’s green laser does not damage any tissue. Patients can continue with all their typical daily activities without interruption, meaning there is no downtime or recovery period of any kind!
How does the Verju Green Laser work? As you relax, reclining on a comfortable table/bed checking your email or watching a movie, 5 computer controlled patterns of green laser light dance harmlessly across your skin, absorbing the fat and cellulite underneath. Your waist, abdomen, hips and thighs begin to shrink as fat melts away and cellulite diminishes. Total treatment time is about 30 minutes. Read, sleep, talk on your iPhone – you can do whatever you want while lying down while it works. Subsequently, a galvanic lymphatic massage of each area is performed to help in the absorption and processing of dissolved lipids and fats. These lipids are processed in the same way that all lipids are normally processed by the lymphatics in your body and are sent to the liver; they eventually burn as carbon dioxide. That’s right, you will literally be breathing in your grease! No pain, no heat, no frostbite, no discomfort, no needles, no injections, no incisions. Zero pain, Zero surgery, Zero downtime. Continue with your daily routine immediately after a treatment session. Although no changes to your diet or exercise are required, for best results and maximum benefit it is highly recommended that you optimize these as well. Where can Verjú go to work for you to improve cellulite and reduce fat? Stomach (abdomen), back/flanks, hips, thighs, buttocks, love handles, hips, arms and cellulite just about anywhere.
There is more and more interesting news about the Verjú Green Laser. Leptin is a hormone released by fat cells. Leptin stimulates hunger and increases appetite. Preliminary studies of leptin levels after Verjú green laser fat cell reduction have indicated a reduction in these leptin levels! Other ongoing studies suggest that there are real and measurable reductions in cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL levels after a series of Verjú green laser treatments! And what news could be more intriguing to diabetics than improved Hgb A1-C levels and improved glucose levels seen after Verjú’s green laser treatments for cellulite and fat reduction!
The Verjú Green Laser received FDA 510(k) clearance in January 2014 for non-invasive cellulite reduction, as well as non-invasive reduction of body fat for the waist, hips, and thighs. The Verju green laser was featured on the TV show “The Doctors” in May 2014. To date, Verjú is the only non-invasive device approved by the FDA for the treatment of cellulite. The Verjú Green Laser seems to be, in a harmless and elegant way, an excellent and completely non-invasive way to reduce excess body fat and reduce the appearance of cellulite!