Are fat loss laser treatments as good as weight loss jabs?

When a painless laser launched in 2019, promising to zap away excess fat while you snoozed beneath, it begged the question, ‘How could that possibly work?’

The Emerald Laser was a totally new use of laser therapy that didn’t rely on heat, was pain-free, and could even treat those with BMIs up to 40, the first device FDA-cleared to do so, with zero side effects. That’s something even the most popular fat freezing treatments, such as Coolsculpting, just couldn’t do.

But still, the Emerald Laser, which we reviewed at the time, flew somewhat under the radar. That is, until recently, when weight loss, and the popularity of GLP-1 agonist ‘weight loss jabs’ made shedding pounds the biggest global health conversation.

As demand for injections such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro grows, and our knowledge of GLP-1 side effects – such as a gaunt face, hair and muscle loss, fluctuating oestrogen and even weakened pelvic floors – increases, so does the desire for alternative fat loss solutions.

This has prompted new interest in the Emerald Laser for its ability to enhance and maintain results for those on the jabs or other weight loss pathways.

Image: Erchonia Emerald Laser. Before and after Emerald Laser.

How many inches can you lose?

Prices start at around £200 for a single Emerald Laser session, and a course is advised depending on how much you need to lose. Dr Munir Somji, one of the first aesthetic practitioners to offer Emerald in the UK, suggests “an average circumference loss of up to six inches with results developing between four to 12 weeks after treatment as fat cells shrink down into lean, healthy tissue.”

By our count, that’s the equivalent of dropping one or two jeans sizes, if your excess fat happens to be around your belly and hips. While the technology is supported by several double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials (the highest level of clinical evidence), it doesn’t promise an average weight loss in kilos or pounds.

How does the Emerald Laser work for fat loss and wellbeing?

The laser technology emits ten non-thermal green laser beams (532nm, for wavelength nerds) onto bare skin and can be trained over areas where stubborn pockets of fat reside. It works by stimulating cellular energy pathways and creating temporary pores in the fat cells, through which fat drains out, as if through a sieve, into the lymphatic system, which then carries it away. There is no heat or irritation on the skin’s surface.

It also delivers a wellbeing boost to your cells. “The beams deliver photons [units of light] at an energy level high enough to stimulate the mitochondria – the powerhouse of our cells,” explains Dr Somji.

Adds functional medicine expert and general surgeon, Dr Mayoni Gooneratne, “The mitochondria make energy for all our cells, fuel all the different pathways, and they help with cell division and detox. So, by increasing their efficiency, there’s more energy available for all our basic cell processes.”

That means a positive impact on gut health, immune regulation, and anti-inflammatory pathways. “There is an inflammatory impact of being overweight, and when fat is broken down, you often see a huge release of toxins that were stored in the fat, so it is important to detoxify your body properly when on GLP-1s,” explains Dr Gooneratne.

Emerald can support a fat loss journey alongside or in place of GLP-1s

How does Emerald Laser compare to weight loss jabs? 

While it’s fair to say that the fat loss on Emerald is not as dramatic as GLP-1s (it’s not a prescribed medication after all), it is a drug-free option that those who have the budget may benefit from.

Emerald can also provide more targeted fat loss than the jabs, as the light is applied directly to areas of concern, such as the belly. Plus, it only reduces fat in the target areas,  leaving muscle intact, thus helping avoid ‘Ozempic face’, a drawn appearance caused by rapid all-over fat and muscle loss. It can also minimise the look of loose skin.

The laser technology comes without the gastrointestinal side effects of GLP-1 medications, such as nausea, constipation or indigestion and, as a wellbeing treatment, even leaves users feeling better.

Can the two weight loss techniques work together?

Emerald has now leaned into the GLP-1 landscape with protocols to ‘jump start’ your weight loss at the beginning of a GLP-1 programme, a ‘targeted’ approach for helping with stubborn areas while on the jabs, and a maintenance phase to help you smooth your transition off the medication.

The aim is to maximise weight loss results and even enable a reduction in GLP-1 dose. “There is a growing body of potential evidence that suggests you can reduce the requirements on GLP-1s and potentially reduce the ultra-high doses that we’ve been seeing, if we combine or even replace these jabs with Emerald, particularly due to its anti-inflammatory action,” says Dr Gooneratne.

A shift from looking good to feeling good

GTG editorial director Victoria Woodhall tried Emerald when it first launched – and saw pretty impressive waist-slimming results after two treatments. You can read her review here. Victoria also discovered she felt particularly ‘energised’ after her session – and that’s just one of the additional wellbeing benefits being reported by patients and doctors in addition to fat loss.

“Personally, I noticed an improvement in my energy levels and recovery from long workdays,” reveals Dr Somji. “Patients also report improved energy, better gut function, reduced inflammation, and enhanced mental clarity after just a few sessions.”

Entrepreneur Karren Brady has the Rainbow Reset treatment, combining Emerald Laser (left) and EVRL violet and red light (right)

It’s the reason why people in the public eye, such as Baroness Karren Brady are singing the praises of the Emerald Laser. The businesswoman had nine sessions to boost her energy and counteract the effects of a busy lifestyle. “The treatments have improved the shape and tone of my body; also, my skin feels noticeably tighter and smoother. I’m really impressed with how much better I feel overall,” she says.

In fact, the Emerald sits within a new family of energising, healing and even pain-relieving wellness laser and light treatments that target cellular health, longevity, and mental wellbeing, alongside appearance-based procedures. For example, Brady also loves the low-level EVRL (Erchonia Violet and Red Laser) from the makers of Emerald, to treat a shoulder injury. “The EVRL laser has done wonders for my shoulder pain – it’s greatly relieved my discomfort and improved my mobility, ” says Brady. I couldn’t be more pleased with the improvements in both my appearance and health.”

The two treatments combined are called the Rainbow Reset, hailed as a ‘full-spectrum approach to cellular health’. Brady went to Dr Rita Rakus clinic in London for her treatment. Some clinics combine Emerald with HydraFacial, IV therapy, and lymphatic drainage treatments to enhance skin treatments and recovery protocols.

The green light ahead

So, whether it’s shedding inches or boosting mood, non-invasive cellular energy-boosting treatments such as Emerald Laser are giving the green light to feel-good aesthetics. We’re all for watching where it leads…

A course of four Emerald treatments at DrMedispa costs £1,260, with discounted packages available, including six treatments for £1,785 and nine treatments for £2,520.