ABSTRACT
The consumer demand for cosmetic procedures continues to rise, with reportedly
more than eight million body-shaping procedures performed in 2008 (1). The
demand has grown in part because of the expanding number of cosmetic pro-
cedures available, particularly those with reproducible efficacy and limited
downtime. This is most evident in the field of body contouring. For many years,
the only option for those seeking improvement in the cosmetic appearance of the
body was surgical. Now, technological advances have brought about the arena of
noninvasive and minimally invasive approaches. These options are important to
help meet the demands of patients who are not surgical candidates, prefer not to
undergo surgical procedures, do not have the needed downtime, or are not
comfortable with the associated surgical risks.
