All forms of liposuction can be used for liposculpture. The technology is advancing very quickly in this field, and it can be very confusing for the consumer.

Traditional Liposuction

This techniques uses negative pressure (vacuum suction) plus effort from the surgeon to suck out the fat. It can be an extremely traumatic procedure, resulting in significant swelling and bruising that can last for weeks.

Power Assisted Liposuction

This has a mechanised tip which nibbles away at the fat. The surgeon exerts little effort here. However, there is no distinguishing of fat from nerves or blood vessels.

Laser-Assisted Liposuction

This uses laser to melt the fat first. Some surgeons leave the fat inside the body, and this is absorbed out of the area over the following few weeks. Others will use suction to remove the fat immediately. The former is less traumatic. This technique can produce some skin tightening, but has limited effectiveness, removing about 250ml of fat only.

Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction

This technique uses ultrasound to melt the fat first, before the fat is sucked out. This is the first advance which both selectively removes large volumes of fat, as well as tightens the skin.

Waterjet-Assisted Liposuction

This technique uses a jet of water to flush out the fat. Also selective for fat, this technique produces little tissue trauma, hence recovery is very fast.

Radiofrequency-Assisted Liposuction

The latest development, this technique uses radiofrequency to melt the fat externally, with simultaneous suction of fat out internally. This technique is associated with the greatest degree of skin tightening.