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2026, Number 1

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Lat Am J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2026; 6 (1)

Laser-assisted lipolysis for the treatment of submental fat: case series

Suárez-Cornieles R, Huartaja-Muñoz J, Mogollón-Melendez A, Hernández-Artahona F, De JLE, Sánchez-Ramírez C

Language: Spanish
References: 42
Page: 7-13
PDF size: 555.58 Kb.


ABSTRACT

Introduction: submental fat accumulation is a common aesthetic concern that may compromise cervicofacial harmony. Laser-assisted lipolysis (LAL) has emerged as a minimally invasive alternative, based on selective photothermal adipocyte disruption and concomitant skin tightening. Objective: to report the use of a 980 nm diode laser in the lipolysis of the submental region through a case series. Material and methods: seven patients with localized submental fat deposits underwent LAL using a 980 nm diode laser at 5 W. Anthropometric facial measurements, standardized photographs, and cervical ultrasound were performed to assess submental fat pre-treatment, immediately post-treatment, and three months later. Results: with a significance level of p < 0.05, a significant reduction was observed in the lobe-to-lobe distance (p = 0.01) and an increase in the neck-to-chin measurement (p = 0.01), except for the cervicomental angle (p = 0.07). Likewise, submental fat volume (p = 0.01) and right (p = 0.04) and left commissural thickness (p = 0.00) decreased significantly. No complications were reported, and the satisfaction rate was 100%. Conclusions: laser-assisted lipolysis using a 980-nm diode laser proved to be an effective and safe minimally invasive approach for submental fat reduction.


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