“Jelly-belly, saddle-bags, love handles, muffin tops. I have wobbly bits and we’re inseparable.”
Most people do. You know those pockets of stubborn fat that just won’t budge no matter what diet or exercise plan you follow. They’re annoying.
So if there was an easy way to get rid of those vexing rolls and wobbles you’d try it right? Especially if it was affordable, with no pain, easily fits into your day and you can do it at home?
Yes please.
Well the clever people at Silk’n think they’ve got it with their new home-use Silk’n Lipo. And they’ve gifted it to me to test and review.
N.B. I’ve received the Silkn Lipo free of charge but this doesn’t influence my honest review. The impressions, thoughts and feelings I share are entirely my own. They may change as the trial progresses and so I’ll update them as I go.
This review is in 3 parts:
- The Silk’n Lipo: too good to be true?
In this section learn about what the Silk’n Lipo does, from the clinically proven LLLT technology behind it to how it compares to professional grade machines. This is for all the sceptics out there. - What it’s like to use?
In this section you can see detailed photos of the Lipo and my round-up of how easy it is to use. - My Silk’n Lipo trial: before and after
Here you can learn about me and my lifestyle to see if I’m a good candidate for the Silk’n Lipo. See which jiggly bits I’d like to reduce and learn about how I’m setting up my trial and measuring my results. This is where you’ll also see my photo updates and body measurements as the weeks progress. Please follow my progress over the next 12 weeks.
So first off, I need to get this off my chest…
1. Silkn Lipo: too good to be true?
The Silk’n Lipo uses a technology called Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT). The LLLT targets stubborn fat in common problem areas such as waist, tummy, hips, thighs and upper arms. You use it 3 times a week for at least 8 weeks. It promises to both reduce stubborn fat and strengthen underlying muscles so they slim down and tone up. And with no diet or exercise either.
On their Indigogo fundraising page from 2017, Silk’n bill the Silk’n Lipo as the:
“first proven targeted fat-reduction device for home use.”
Er, hang on.
That sounds too good to be true, right?
But then again, I know Silk’n as a reputable home beauty technology brand. For 10 years they’ve lead the way in home IPL hair reduction. I trust them. So now I’m both sceptical and curious! Is this for real!?
They’re a member of Home Use Device (HUD) Working Group’ too. It ‘focuses on Safety, Efficacy, Measuring and Standards’ of ‘home use, light- and energy-based aesthetic devices’. So they’ve got the credentials and clout to promote the Silk’n Lipo. But is it for real?
First, before we get into the specifics of the Silk’n Lipo, it’s time for further investigation into these claims, methinks.
Let’s start with the science behind LLLT and the proof that it works.
What’s LLLT and does it work?
Low Level Laser Therapy or LLLT is a non-invasive body-contouring alternative to expensive and painful surgical liposuction. Also known as ‘cold’ laser energy, LLLT uses lasers but they don’t cut or burn tissue. Instead they stimulate and enhance cell functions.
It’s best suited to people who are not significantly over-weight, but have stubborn areas of fat that won’t shift through diet or exercise.
LLLT lasers are near infrared with specific wavelengths between 532 and 635 nanometres. They reach down to your subdermal fat cells. The fat cells react by opening small pores and the fatty content spills out. With a bit of exercise afterwards it’s then ‘flushed-out’ by your lymphatic system and comes out in your wee.
LLLT is clinically proven
Several clinical studies from the past decade show us LLLT works well to reduce targeted body fat. Fat reduction differs by patient from a few to several inches over a course of 8 sessions. It’s comparable to surgical liposuction and significant enough to be dubbed an ‘inch loss’ solution in aesthetic clinics.
A quick search of the NCBI database shows the extensive research. This is one good example and another.
A few of the studies call for further investigation into the reaction within the fat cell. However, the robust clinical data and FDA clearance for professional LLLT manufacturers proves they’re safe and effective methods of body contouring.
Well-known professional brands are Zerona, iLipo and Strawberry Laser Lipo. You can check out some before and after photos here too. You’ll find these LLLT body contouring services in aesthetic clinics around the UK and USA.
Professional treatments are quick enough to fit into your lunch break. There’s no recovery time needed either. The lasers are safe for all skin tones too.
So, I’m convinced by the science and the results from professional LLLT body contouring. But just how similar is the Silkn Lipo? And does it promise the same results?
The Silk’n Lipo is proven too, right?
Well, kind of.
You remember that statement “the first proven targeted fat-reduction device for home use.” Well, the ‘proven’ bit refers to LLLT as a clinically proven technology. The Lipo itself is not clinically proven and it’s not yet FDA-cleared.
So what proof is there the Lipo actually works?
Silk’n were happy to share here. They tested the Lipo on 5 subjects. Each treated their waist area for 3 sessions per week over 4 weeks. They lost between 1 to 4 cm off their waist circumference.
I’m underwhelmed. I’d have more confidence if there were ten times more subjects tested against the recommended 8-week schedule, and all with consistent results.
On their website, Silk’n make a big deal of just how similar the Lipo is to professional LLLT. They want us to have confidence in the technology. But I want to dig deeper and understand just how similar the Silk’n Lipo is to the clinically proven LLLT body contouring treatments.
I’ve researched further and here’s what I learned.
How does the Silkn Lipo compare to professional LLLT?
iLipo and Strawberry Laser Lipo are clinically proven and FDA-cleared LLLT machines. Of all the popular professional machines they’re most like the Silk’n Lipo device in terms of design and application. Silk’n compare the Lipo to them also.
In this section we’ll compare what the treatments are like for each, how many treatments you need, what they cost and what results each gives. There’s a summary table at the end of the section too.
Who’s it for?
Both iLipo and Strawberry are termed inch loss solutions. They’re designed to target wobbly bits in specific problem areas. They’re not intended for large-scale fat or weight loss, or to treat obesity. So, if you’re considerably over-weight they’re not for you.
The Silkn Lipo is roughly the same. And Silk’n offer this additional guidance for treating specific areas of the waist, tummy, hips, thighs and upper arms:
“A good rule of thumb is if you can pinch the area you want to target with your fingers, it’s suited to Lipo. If the area you want to reduce can be grabbed with a full hand, it is outside the scope of our device’s intended use.” Silk’n
Because everyone’s different it’s hard to provide specific measurements as a guide, so the old ‘fat grabber’ test does the trick.
My interpretation here is if you’re close to your healthy weight range and you’ve specific problem areas you’d like to shape up, then the Silk’n Lipo should give you noticeable, slimmer results. I think I’m a good candidate. More on that later.
What are the treatments like?
Let’s compare what treatments are like for iLipo and Strawberry Laser Lipo vs the Silk’n Lipo.
Laser pads and belts
The iLipo and Strawberry are mains-powered and consist of large body belts with several diode laser pads attached. You lie down, the belts snuggly strap around your front or back, along with 2 small probes on your crotch lymph nodes. These probes encourage your lymphatic drainage system.
The lasers pulse red light at 635 nanometres for around 10 minutes. They’re then repositioned as necessary to treat all your trouble spots. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes for your tummy and waist.
There’s no pain, discomfort or common side effects.
Scaled down Silk’n Lipo
The Lipo is a scaled down version that’s portable and safe for home use. You get 2 rechargeable laser pads and several Velcro belts of varying sizes to fit different body areas.
The treatment area is much smaller than the professional machines which can wrap the entire front of your waist or tummy. Each Lipo laser pad is 12 cm high and approximately 7.5 cm wide. With the 2 pads you can cover an area about 180 cm² each time.
Each pad has eight Class 1 LLLT diode lasers emitting red light at 658 nm. They run on a 15-minute timer. Once time’s up, you shift it around and reposition so there’s no overlap. I need 3 sessions to treat around my side waist and tummy area. So, it takes 45 minutes in total.
Just like the iLipo and Strawberry treatments there’s no pain, discomfort or common side effects.
Flush-out the fat
For the best results with iLipo and Strawberry you must stay well-hydrated and do cardio exercise afterwards. This helps your lymphatic system flush out the fat and toxins which otherwise will return to the fat cells. You may treat more than one body area but this increases the amount of post-treatment exercise you must do. This means jogging on a treadmill for 30 mins or squatting on a vibrating platform for 10 minutes! That’ll do the job!
Silkn Lipo: no exercise needed!
With the Lipo you must also stay hydrated. But there’s no need to exercise afterwards. I like this. A lot.
That’s because each pad also emits Electric Muscle Stimulation (EMS) along with the LLLT. The EMS is like a localised excercise for your muscles making them flex and workout. This activity flushes the fat out of your body during the session.
That’s a very smart idea. I love that I don’t even break a sweat. Effortless.
How many sessions?
You’ll need 8 to 10 sessions with iLipo and Strawberry, around 2 per week over the course of a month.
With the Silk’n Lipo you need 3 sessions per treatment area per week over the course of 8 weeks. That’s a commitment of 24 sessions over 2 months. So, the Lipo needs double the timeframe and more than double the treatments.
What do they cost?
Cost varies by clinic for iLipo and strawberry, but you can usually get a single treatment for around £100 / $125, or batch of 3 for around £300 / $350. It’s pricey.
The Silkn Lipo is very attractive because it’s a one-off cost of £449.
This combined with the fact I can use it at home, week-after-week, month after month whenever I want, well that seems worth it to me. If it works to reduce my wobbly bits.
So, what are the expected results and how do they compare?
What are the results?
The key difference is this. With professional LLLT, you’ll see a visible circumference reduction after each session. iLipo from Energist Ltd says it’s between 2 to 4 centimetres loss in abdomen circumference each time. That’s impressive.
The Silk’n Lipo is different. Its effects are gradual and takes a minimum of 8 weeks to see noticeable results.
It’s also notable Silk’n don’t share any guideline measurements of what fat reduction to expect from the Lipo. It’s not mentioned in the user manual, website or packaging. This could be because they simply don’t have enough data to substantiate a reliable guide. Or each user’s lifestyle may affect the efficacy so it’s just not possible to say. All Silk’n do say is the Lipo gives a ‘slimmer and more toned body’.
Based on the small study Silk’n conducted over 4 weeks you could expect at least between 1 and 4 centimetres reduction in your waist circumference. I’ll have to wait and see.
Are the results permanent?
No. They’re temporary. It’s the same for the iLipo, Strawberry Laser Lipo and the Silkn Lipo.
That’s because LLLT shrinks your fat cells but they are still intact. So, they’ll eventually fill up again. You can maintain your results with a balanced diet and regular exercise. But they’ll fill up fast if you don’t follow a healthier lifestyle.
Because of this, many clinics recommend it to kickstart a healthy lifestyle change. A slimmer figure provides extra motivation to stick to your new healthy regimen.
Or alternatively, some use it to look their best for a big event, like their wedding day.
Summary table: Silk’n Lipo vs Professional LLLT body contouring
[table id=56 /]
In summary
The Silk’n Lipo uses LLLT technology, but I conclude it’s not as powerful or effective as professional LLLT body contouring. That’s because unlike professional treatments, you don’t see immediate results. And to get noticeable results, you must use it more frequently and over double the time as compared to a professional course of LLLT body contouring.
But this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Scaling it down for home use is good. It’s smaller and safer for a regular person to use. It’s light-weight, portable. I like that it’s cordless and battery powered too. You’re free to move around and get on with something else whilst you wear it. So, it’s easier to stick with it. And the EMS means you don’t have to spend more time working out afterwards too. These are all very thoughtful design features.
My remaining concern is there’s no real expectation of what results I’ll see. Or if it’s worth my time. But I’m reassured there’s strong proof LLLT works. Plus, I’m always on the lookout for new problem-solving devices to see if they live up to their promise. If this works I think it’ll be popular. So, I’m happily trialling the device over the next 12 weeks. Let’s see what happens.
Next up, what’s it like to use?
2. What’s it like to use?
Attractive packaging
The Silk’n Lipo comes in a large box that measures 30 cm x 20 cm x 13 cm.
The box is attractive, feminine and attention-grabbing with the white, red and vibrant pink colours. It’s sturdy and there’s a slide off information sleeve. The packaging notes that both the box and plastic packaging materials are recyclable.
Clear and concise information
The information design on the box is well-laid out and easy to read. Photos and illustrations enhance the information. It does a decent job of explaining what the Lipo does, especially for anyone who’s never heard of it before.
Brief copy explains the Lipo targets and reduces stubborn fat to “Achieve a slimmer and more toned body without diet or exercise”. And with noticeable results in just 8 weeks.
Helpful diagrams
On the back are diagrams to explain how LLLT and EMS work in combination. However, there’s no mention the technology is clinically proven. This is in direct contrast to their website where this is prominent.
How LLLT works:
What EMS does:
The results (with an important note from me):
Note the words “fatty content is permanently removed from your body” – this doesn’t mean fat can’t build up again!
N.B. The word ‘permanent’ is open to misinterpretation here. It’s important to understand although the extracted fat is gone, your body can create more in the same fat cells because the fat cells are still alive and intact.
Inside the box
The sleeve easily slides off, and underneath the box feels smooth and robust. There are 2 small concealed magnetic plates keeping the box fastened. Once opened, the box opens out to reveal 2 smaller sealed boxes with the Lipo kit inside.
What’s in the box?
- 2x Treatment units
- 2x Electrode pads
- 2x Connectors
- 3x Belts
- Stand/charging cradle
- Mains Adaptor
- User manual
- Warranty card
First impressions
With the kit in front of me, it all looks obvious enough to put together. The quality is fine – it looks good and feels solid and durable.
The laser treatment pads are rectangular with a curvy, glossy white front. There’s a simple control panel on the top of each and a Silk’n logo. In the bottom of each are 3 female ports to connect to the charging cradle. Each Lipo laser pad is 12 cm high and approximately 7.5 cm wide. They light-weight at 340g each.
Each side has a fixed dark grey male or female connector. These connect the pads and the belts to the pads.
The belts
The 3 belts are different shapes and sizes. They’re dark and light grey, soft, slightly stretchy, and with very grippy Velcro grips at each end. I love the soft stitching with no itchy bits. They’re nicely finished all down to the silicone raised Silk’n logo on one end.
The belts loop through the strong grey plastic connectors that connect to the laser pads.
First up, let’s check out the user guide booklet. Set up the charging cradle to charge the Lipo laser pads whilst you read it.
Read the user manual
The user manual starts with important warnings and reasons not to use the Lipo. Read them.
❌ Don’t use it if you have heart disease, are on immuno-suppressant drugs, have any type of cancer, a metabolic condition like lymphatic disorder, thyroid disorder, diabetes or liver disorder. Don’t use it if you have a pacemaker or any other electrical implant in the body.
❌ Don’t use it if you’ve applied topical solutions containing metal ions in the treatment area, if you have epilepsy, or serious arterial circulatory problems in the lower limbs, have abdominal or inguinal hernia. Also don’t use if you’re pregnant or nursing.
And body areas not to use it on too:
❌ Near the heart, the front or back ribcage, head or neck, on the genitals, on or around your eyes
❌ Areas that have metabolic arthritis or chronic pain, or a history of cancer
❌ Swollen or infected areas, or on body areas that have metallic staples, implants or pins
The rest of the user manual gives a brief explanation of how it works to reduce the circumference of waist, arms, thighs and buttocks, and improve muscle tone in these areas. It explains how to connect the device, how to use it and control it.
It’s short and sweet and does the job well.
Getting started
- Charge the units. The first charge for 6 hours. Subsequent charges take 3 hours. Recharge after each full area session so it’s ready to go next time.
- Drink water so you’re well hydrated before you start. Drink water during the sessions and afterwards too. This helps your body flush out the fat.
N.B. If sizing the belt to your shape first time, just leave the EMS electrodes to one side for now and skip to 7.
Dip your finger in the water and run down the electrode strips. Push it on the laser pad by sliding your fingers round the lip of the central rectangle until it’s secure. Repeat with the second one.
TIP: You may like to adjust the first side so you have a manageable amount of belt to thread through the second connector.
You can stop it by long pressing the power button.
What I like
Although there are a few steps, I find the Lipo easy to put together and operate. I easily get the hang of putting on the waist belt after my first go.
Cordless, comfortable and simple
I like that it’s cordless, not very heavy and comfortable to wear. I find sitting whilst wearing it uncomfortable so I wear them whilst standing at my desk or cooking. Or even ironing on the rare occasion.
The controls are simple and straight forward. I like to start both laser pads off at the same time so the periodic vibrations are consistent and they both finish at the same time.
Sensation
There’s no pain or discomfort and no sensation at all from the LLLT. The EMS feels a bit weird, but is entirely bearable. It’s like a deep tickling vibration that comes in 3 second bursts. I find it most sensitive on my sides and I noticeably twitch as it contracts my muscles. It’s easy to adjust the EMS to find a comfortable level.
My skin looks slightly red and feels a bit moist when I remove the pads. But that disappears quickly. Slight indentations in my skin are visible which help to position the pads for the adjacent spot.
Convenient & Easy
It’s quite easy to fit into your day, you just need to remember to use them with a regular chores so it becomes habit i.e. cooking. I do the 3 x 15-minute sessions to cover my waist all in one go, so it takes 45 mins in all. Marking on your calendar helps you keep track. I’m able to do 2 or 3 a week without much bother.
All in all, I’m impressed by how easy the Silk’n Lipo is to use. Let’s hope the results are just as good.
3. My Silk’n Lipo trial
First, here’s a bit about me and what I hope to achieve with the Lipo.
I’m female aged 40 years old, 5’4 inches tall and I weigh about 54 Kg. I’m average weight, fit and healthy, but by no means a health fanatic. Here’s the good and bad stuff about my lifestyle.
The good stuff
I eat a balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruit and veg, fish and white meats. I drink water. I like to cook so I’m usually in control of what I put in my body. Sleep is important and one of my favourite things. I average about 6 hours sleep on a work night and 8 hours on weekends.
I enjoy exercise. It helps stress relief and makes me feel good. I walk at least 10,000 steps a day (easy as I have an energetic dog). I also run a few miles once or twice a week and try to do as much yoga as possible but usually manage 1 to 2 hours per week.
The bad stuff
I enjoy delicious American style burgers, mac ‘n’ cheese, cheese and wine and spicy coconuty-cream Thai curries. I’m partial to sausage rolls, and periodically indulge in chocolate bars of all sorts.
I’m strong-willed with all of these. But my weakness and what I really love are delicious, hoppy, strong and calorific ales.
I drink between 6 to 10 pints of these lovely ales a week. The ale is the main reason that my weight fluctuates between 51 to 54 Kg.
My wobbly bits
I’m happy with my body. But I’ve noticed it’s not as firm and slim as it was 10 years ago. I have good pinchable fatty areas I’d like to treat with the Lipo to see what it can do.
I tend to gain fat in the boobs and waist first followed by the bum and thighs. Although I’d like to treat my tummy, waist, bum and thighs, I’ve decided to treat my waist and tummy only. That’s mainly because I think I can commit to three 45 minutes sessions per week for this area.
Measurements
I’m very curious to see how well this works so I’ll take accurate measurements throughout.
To ensure I measure the same waist circumference each time, I mark a specific height from the floor on my right and left waist each time. You’ll see the crosses in black eyeliner in my update photos.
I’ve decided to also measure my thighs although I’ll not be treating them with the Lipo. This way they act as a kind of control to show if I gain or lose body fat across my body. I’m not certain how scientific this is, but I find it interesting nonetheless.
You can see the before photos in the My results section. I’ll update this with measurements and photos as I progress through my 12-week trial.
My starting measurements are:
- Waist circumference: 76 cm
- Right Thigh: 55 cm
- Left thigh: 54 cm
Now the bit you’ve all been waiting for…
My results with before and after photos
I take my photos and measurements on either a Saturday or Sunday morning, an hour or so after getting up and before eating breakfast. I read somewhere that as the day goes on you get more bloated, so morning measurements makes sense to me.
2 weeks in
I didn’t expect any change after just 5 full waist session and 2 weeks of use. But I took photos and measurements anyway. I took the photos before measuring so you won’t see the black crosses to mark the measurement spot. You’ll probably notice my false tan has faded.
- Waist circumference: 76 cm
- Right thigh: 55 cm
- Left thigh: 54 cm
4 weeks
After 4 weeks and 9 full waist treatments… still no change. I’m easily managing to fit 2 full sessions in a week during my evenings, but I’d like to manage 3 (as this is the maximum recommended and I assume it’ll give faster results). It’s easier said than done though, because it’s warm, sunny and I want to go to the pub of an evening. Tough life.
- Waist circumference: 76 cm
- Right thigh: 55 cm
- Left thigh: 54 cm
7 weeks
Slightly delayed on this check-in.
Last week was my period and I didn’t want to measure and take photos. Bloating is a problem. No one needs to see that. Also, I suffer from nasty period pains and didn’t fancy using the Lipo on my tummy area either. Specifically the EMS twitching. So, I didn’t quite manage to squeeze in the 3 treatments a week I’d hoped to. I did 18 out of a maximum recommended 21.
And there’s some change! My waist circumference has reduced by 1 cm whilst my thighs are still the same. My tummy muscles are more defined too and feel pretty solid. Perhaps this thing is working!
I couldn’t find the black bra I wore in the earlier photos. This vexes me because I wanted a direct comparison between all the photos without any distracting differences! No idea where it’s hiding.
- Waist circumference: 75 cm
- Right thigh: 55 cm
- Left thigh: 54 cm
9 weeks
Nine weeks in, and 23 full waist treatments done. I’ve now passed the recommended 8-week regimen.
I’ve not managed the full 3 sessions each week unfortunately. Out of a maximum possible 27 treatments I’ve managed 23. That’s 4 short and I wonder how much of a difference it makes?
My waist circumference is unchanged from last time. Still, my tummy definitely feels strong and firm so I guess the EMS is having an affect there.
- Waist circumference: 75 cm
- Right thigh: 55 cm
- Left thigh: 54 cm
Honestly, I don’t see a noticeable difference between them, but my tummy feels tighter and there’s a 1 cm circumference reduction. My thigh measurements are unchanged.
How do I feel about the results so far? I’m underwhelmed.
True, it’s easy enough to do, and it’s no great chore. And I do feel the fatty bit around my tummy button has reduced. But the side bits – where’s there’s a bit more to grab – feels just the same to me. My muscles do feel harder and more toned. But I expected more after 9 weeks.
Silk’n requested that I follow the trial for 12 weeks, so I’ve got another 3 to go. I’ll see you then for my final update!
12 weeks
I made it through 12 weeks and 32 full waist treatments. Here are my measurements:
- Waist circumference: 76 cm
- Right thigh: 55 cm
- Left thigh: 54 cm
So, I’ve ended up where I started measurement-wise. My tummy does feel very strong and firm, so I can say the EMS does a good job. But overall, I’m disappointed.
And I have a few other thoughts to share also.
- I’m very mindful (because of this trial) that my weight fluctuates and shape changes. My shape seems to change throughout the month, so even if the Lipo maintained a 1 cm loss around my waist some days it wouldn’t feel that way! Also, what I eat and drink has a significant impact. It can easily obscure any results with the Lipo especially around the tummy and with the small 1 cm change I initially saw.
- I see that Silk’n now have more clinical evidence on their website with before and after photos too (for 18 sessions / 9 weeks). They’re quite impressive. Looking at these ‘before’ photos I wonder if I’m really the right candidate to trial this and get the best results. I do have wobbly bits, but they’re small and localised so perhaps the Lipo did as much as it could on them?
- I wonder if the effect varies by body part too. I’m curious to try it on my arse and outer thighs. However, I’m now training for a half marathon so another trial won’t be fair. And honestly, I’m not sure I have the motivation to try again!
And finally, it’s important to note you really must keep using the Lipo. So, once you’ve finished the 8 weeks or whatever, you just keep going. I think if you saw significant results this would be easier to maintain. But with just small results it feels more of a chore, and is unrealistic if you travel a lot.
It’s also a shame there’s not the reassurrance of a money back guarantee period from Silk’n. It’s quite a financial outlay as well as an effort and time-commitment.
I’ve decided the Lipo is not for me. If you decide to give it a go I’d really love to hear how it works for you!
