5 weeks ago, I posted about a new £450 fat-reducing at-home device that I had just started trying out (read that post here). At the halfway point of the 10 week trial, I wanted to update you on how I’m getting on, and on my general thoughts and further research on the Silk ‘n Lipo device. Sadly, I wanted to love this product a lot more than I do.

Read my first post for a more in-depth intro into what the Silk ‘n Lipo* (£449 from Silk’n Lipo) device is designed to do, but it’s a vibrating and pulsating laser device that uses electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) to work and tone the muscles in the area that you are targeting, as well as promote the disposal of fat from the perforated fat cells with low-level laser treatment (LLLT).

The Silk ‘n Lipo team asked me to trial the device for 10 weeks, using it 3 times per week. I decided to target my thighs and my upper arms. At the start of the trial the tops of my arms were measuring 17 inches, and my right thigh was measuring 25.5 inches, and my left thigh was measuring 27 inches. At week 5, I have lost half a centimetre from each upper arm and thigh. I would have expected more of a result than this. I haven’t changed my diet or increased my exercise, but I have started having to commute on public transport for my new job, which has involved a lot more walking uphill than normal. That half a centimetre loss could well be down to that, as much as it could be down to the Silk ‘n Lipo device. I really wanted to be able to rave to you about this device, but I can’t do it as I haven’t seen good enough results, and it’s too time-consuming for me.

My main issue with this device is the fact that it takes so long to use. If I am doing my thighs, I do the front, side and back of each thigh, with each area taking 15 minutes; so that’s 1.5 hours every second day, as I alternate days with my arms. For my upper arms, I have to do the front and back of each arm, taking 1 hour per day every second day. That’s a total of 7.5 hours per week of wearing this device to target these two body parts. That’s a lot of hours and time out of a day. I think I would rather just go to the gym for an hour a day instead, and I think I would see better overall body results from doing this, as well as improving my general health and fitness. Bear in mind also, that to maintain this loss, you will need to continue to use the device.

If you have the time to put into using this device, and you can’t get to a gym, this device could be useful to you in helping you to shift some stubborn areas of fat. For me, I think the gym is the better and easier option, however I will continue with the rest of the trial as promised, and report back on the end results. If I was looking for fast results for little effort, I would opt for an in-clinic strength course of LLLT treatments, even although this would be much more expensive. I spoke to the team at London’s StayLasered clinic about LLLT and at-home devices to find out more.

What is LLLT and how does it work?

LLLT stands for Low Level Laser Therapy. This involves the use of a specifically calibrated frequency of light set to penetrate fat cell walls under your skin, releasing the fat content and shrinking the targeted area. Once the fat is outside the cells, your body flushes it out through the Lymphatic System.

Silk ‘n Lipo not only uses LLLT but also EMS (Electric Muscle Stimulation). EMS helps to stimulate muscle activity and blood & lymph circulation in the treated area. EMS works the lymphatic system to help speed up the rate at which the excess fat is flushed out your system, leaving the area beautifully toned.

Is the therapy scientifically-proven?

Yes. Please refer to the following article: Efficacy of Low-Level Laser Therapy for Body Contouring and Spot Fat Reduction. The conclusion of their scientific studies was that LLLT achieved safe and significant girth loss sustained over repeated treatments and cumulative over 4 weeks of eight treatments. Data (please note that this is with an in-clinic strength LLLT machine and not an at-home device) was analysed for those with body weight fluctuations within 1.5 kg during 4 weeks of the study. Each treatment gave a 0.4–0.5 cm loss in waist girth. Cumulative girth loss after 4 weeks was −2.15 cm (−0.78 ± 2.82 vs. 1.35 ± 2.64 cm for the control group). A blinded evaluation of standardised pictures showed statistically significant cosmetic improvement after 4 weeks of laser treatment. In vitro studies suggested that laser treatment increases fat loss from adipocytes by release of triglycerides, without inducing lipolysis or cell lysis. LLLT achieved safe and significant girth loss sustained over repeated treatments and cumulative over 4 weeks of eight treatments. The girth loss from the waist gave clinically and statistically significant cosmetic improvement.

Is this something that can be achieved at home, or do you need in-clinic strength machines?

Good results can be achieved at home provided the manufacturer’s instructions are closely followed.

Are there any dangers to be aware of?

There are no real adverse side effects. However, this device and treatment should not be used on tattoos, pregnant women, cancer patients, malignant tumours, or skin infections.

I think the conclusion of this post is that the scientific practices behind the Silk ‘n Lipo device can provide significant loss in girth and fat cells, however, with an at-home strength device, this takes a lot longer than an in-clinic machine. If you want fast results, opt for in-clinic. If, however, you are disabled or can’t access a gym due to where you live, the Silk ‘n Lipo device could give you small results provided you are able and willing to put in the time and follow the instructions to the letter.

This post contains press samples, but all opinions are my own.

You can see more of what i’m loving, and what i’m doing, over on my Instagram.