Body Sculpting & Skin Tightening in Chicago
Laser body contouring for loose skin, localized fat and cellulite — using a precise 1940 nm diode laser.
If weight loss, pregnancy or aging has left you with loose skin, stubborn localized fat or uneven body contours, iLaser 1940 is a minimally invasive laser body sculpting treatment that works beneath the skin. A fine laser fiber delivers a precise 1940 nm wavelength into the subdermal tissue, where the energy interacts with water and fat — producing controlled heating, collagen remodeling and skin retraction while allowing targeted treatment of small fat deposits and cellulite. At Refine by Tulsi, it's used on the abdomen, arms, thighs, flanks and other carefully selected areas.
- 1940 nm Diode Laser
- Minimally Invasive
- Skin Retraction
- Body Sculpting
What is iLaser 1940 body sculpting?
iLaser 1940 is an FDA-cleared medical diode laser platform that uses a 1940 nm wavelength for minimally invasive laser body contouring and skin tightening. A fine optical fiber is introduced beneath the skin through tiny access points so laser energy can be delivered directly to subdermal tissue. The 1940 nm wavelength is designed around absorption by water and fat, allowing controlled heating that supports skin retraction and collagen remodeling and may be used to address selected localized fat and cellulite concerns. It is not a weight-loss treatment or a substitute for excisional surgery. At Refine by Tulsi in Chicago, candidacy and the treatment plan are physician-led.
Why 1940 nm matters for laser body sculpting
iLaser is different from a surface skin-tightening treatment. Its fine optical fiber works beneath the skin, allowing targeted laser energy to be delivered into the subdermal plane.
A precise 1940 nm wavelength
iLaser uses a single 1940 nm diode wavelength designed to interact with two important tissue targets: water and fat. This allows the physician to deliver controlled thermal energy in the tissue beneath the skin rather than relying only on surface heating.
Laser energy beneath the skin
A fine optical fiber is introduced through tiny treatment access points and guided through the subdermal tissue. This minimally invasive approach gives the treating physician direct control over where energy is delivered for body contouring and skin tightening.
Skin retraction and collagen remodeling
Controlled thermal energy can produce an immediate tissue-contraction response while also supporting neocollagenesis and longer-term collagen remodeling. The result is progressive improvement in skin firmness and contour as the tissue heals and remodels.
Is iLaser 1940 a skin-tightening laser or a body-sculpting laser?
It can be used for both. iLaser 1940 is a minimally invasive subdermal diode laser used to tighten lax skin and improve body contours. Because the 1940 nm wavelength interacts with water and fat, the platform can support skin retraction and collagen remodeling while also addressing carefully selected areas of localized fat. The treatment is best thought of as laser-assisted body contouring — not weight loss and not a surgical tummy tuck.
Loose skin
For mild-to-moderate skin laxity on the stomach, upper arms, thighs and selected body areas, iLaser is used to create controlled subdermal heating and support tissue retraction.
Localized fat
For selected small pockets of stubborn fat, the laser's interaction with adipose tissue may be incorporated into a physician-designed contouring plan. iLaser is not a treatment for obesity or generalized weight loss.
Cellulite and texture
Cellulite is structurally complex. iLaser may improve the appearance of dimpling and skin quality in selected patients by addressing subdermal tissue and stimulating collagen remodeling; results vary.
Tap a concern to see how iLaser helps
Select what's on your mind, and we'll walk through what iLaser can (and can't) do for it.
Firming skin that didn't bounce back
After significant weight loss — including GLP-1-associated weight loss — the abdomen, arms and thighs may be left with lax or crepey skin. iLaser 1940 delivers controlled laser energy beneath the skin to support tissue retraction and collagen remodeling. In selected patients, the treatment plan may also address small localized fat deposits that remain after weight loss.
Honest note: if you have significant hanging or excess skin, a non-surgical treatment can only do so much — surgery may give a better result. Dr. Kotecha will tell you honestly which camp you're in at consultation.
Smoother, firmer upper arms
The upper arms commonly develop lax, crepey skin after aging or weight loss. iLaser 1940 can be used beneath the skin of the upper arm to support skin retraction and collagen remodeling, without the long scar of a surgical brachioplasty. It is intended for selected patients with contour and laxity concerns; significant hanging skin may still require surgery.
Good to know: iLaser is not a weight-loss treatment. Depending on anatomy and the physician's treatment plan, its 1940 nm laser energy may be used for skin tightening and selected localized fat concerns.
Refining the midsection
Pregnancy, aging and weight changes can leave the abdominal skin lax and may reveal stubborn localized fat. iLaser 1940 is delivered beneath the skin to support skin retraction, collagen remodeling and more precise contouring of selected areas. It can refine the abdomen without the skin excision or muscle repair of an abdominoplasty.
Honest note: this tightens skin; it doesn't repair separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti) or remove significant excess skin — those are surgical questions we're happy to talk through.
Firmer inner and outer thighs
The inner and outer thighs can develop lax, crepey skin and uneven contours. iLaser 1940 allows controlled laser energy to be delivered in the subdermal plane to support collagen remodeling, skin retraction and physician-directed contour refinement.
Good to know: results are gradual and vary by person. iLaser addresses skin quality and laxity, not the underlying fat or muscle.
Smoothing the dimpled look
Cellulite is the dimpling that happens when fibrous bands tether the skin while fat pushes up between them. iLaser 1940 may improve the appearance of cellulite in selected patients by delivering subdermal laser energy and supporting collagen remodeling and skin retraction. Cellulite has multiple structural causes, so the treatment plan depends on the type and depth of dimpling.
Honest note: no non-surgical treatment permanently "cures" cellulite. iLaser softens how it looks; results are gradual and maintained with occasional upkeep.
What a “non-surgical tummy tuck” really is
“Non-surgical tummy tuck” is a search term patients often use for abdominal tightening without abdominoplasty. iLaser 1940 can tighten and contour selected abdominal tissue through tiny access points, but it does not excise excess skin or repair separated abdominal muscles. For mild-to-moderate laxity and selected contour concerns, it may offer a minimally invasive alternative.
Important — read this: it is not the same as a surgical tummy tuck. A surgical abdominoplasty removes excess skin and repairs muscle; iLaser does neither. If you have significant loose skin or muscle separation, we'll say so and discuss surgical options honestly.
iLaser is a non-surgical skin-tightening treatment. It is not a fat-reduction, weight-loss, or surgical procedure, and it does not remove skin. Results develop gradually, vary from person to person, and are not guaranteed. A physician consultation is the only way to know whether it's right for you.
iLaser body sculpting, before & after
Documented results from experienced iLaser providers, shown with permission. They illustrate what's possible across the body — your own result depends on your anatomy, the area, and your plan.
Representative results from iLaser-trained providers, shown with permission; these are not patients of Refine by Tulsi. Individual results vary and are not guaranteed. iLaser 1940 is a minimally invasive laser treatment for skin retraction, selected localized fat and cellulite — it is not a weight-loss treatment or a substitute for excisional surgery.
Non-surgical tightening vs. surgery
An honest comparison, so you can decide what actually fits your goals — not just what sounds easiest.
If you're a better candidate for surgery, we'll tell you — and point you in the right direction. The goal is the result that fits you, not a sale.
An honest look at candidacy
iLaser may suit you if you…
- Have mild-to-moderate loose or crepey skin you'd like to firm
- Want to avoid surgery, scars, general anesthesia and downtime
- Are near or at a stable weight and want to refine skin quality
- Are bothered by the look of cellulite on the thighs or buttocks
- Have realistic expectations for gradual, natural-looking change
Surgery may serve you better if you…
- Have significant hanging or excess skin after major weight loss
- Have separated abdominal muscles you want repaired
- Want dramatic, immediate change in a single step
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have an active skin infection
- Expect a non-surgical treatment to match a surgical result
The only way to know is a consultation. Dr. Kotecha will review your skin, goals and health history before recommending anything — including honestly recommending surgery when it's the better fit.
From consult to firmer skin
Consultation
A physician assesses your skin laxity, goals and health history, and builds a plan — including how many sessions your areas are likely to need.
Treatment
Treatment is performed in-office using a fine optical fiber introduced beneath the skin through tiny access points. Local anesthesia and the exact treatment protocol are selected by the physician based on the body area and planned contouring.
Right back to life
Temporary swelling, tenderness, bruising or altered sensation can occur. Recovery is generally shorter than excisional body-contouring surgery, but this is a minimally invasive procedure and your physician will give area-specific aftercare and activity guidance.
Gradual results
Early tissue retraction may be visible, with continued improvement as collagen remodels over the following weeks and months. The number of treatments and maintenance needs depend on the area, anatomy and treatment goals.
Choose the concern — not just the machine
The best body-contouring treatment depends on whether the primary issue is loose skin, localized fat, cellulite or loss of shape after weight loss. iLaser 1940 is one tool within a physician-led treatment plan. For shape and volume concerns, explore our non-surgical BBL and body contouring options.
Loose skin after weight loss
Explore minimally invasive skin tightening for the abdomen, arms and thighs after major or GLP-1-associated weight loss.
Abdomen and flanks
For abdominal skin laxity and selected localized contour concerns, iLaser may be used to refine the midsection without excisional surgery.
Cellulite and thigh contour
Cellulite requires a structural assessment. Skin quality, subdermal tissue and the pattern of dimpling all influence the recommended treatment.
Physician-led, not delegated to a machine
Dr. Tulsi Kotecha, MD
Board-certified in Internal Medicine and Aesthetic Medicine and trained at University College London and the University of Bristol, Dr. Kotecha built Refine by Tulsi around results that look natural and honest advice about what will — and won't — get you there. With skin tightening, that means matching the right candidate to the treatment, being straight about when surgery is the better route, and choosing techniques she trusts across all skin tones.
More about Dr. KotechaLaser body sculpting and skin tightening, answered
Direct answers to the questions Chicago patients ask about loose skin, body contouring and iLaser 1940.
What is iLaser 1940?
iLaser 1940 is an FDA-cleared medical diode laser platform that uses a precise 1940 nm wavelength. A fine optical fiber is introduced beneath the skin through tiny access points to deliver controlled laser energy into subdermal tissue. The platform is used for minimally invasive skin tightening and body contouring, including selected concerns involving skin laxity, localized fat and cellulite.
How does the 1940 nm iLaser wavelength work?
The 1940 nm wavelength is designed around absorption by water and fat. Delivering this laser energy beneath the skin creates a controlled thermal effect in selected tissue. The treatment is intended to support tissue retraction, neocollagenesis and collagen remodeling and, when appropriate, targeted treatment of localized adipose tissue.
Can iLaser tighten loose skin after Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro or GLP-1 weight loss?
It may help selected patients with mild-to-moderate skin laxity after significant or GLP-1-associated weight loss. Common concerns include loose abdominal skin, crepey upper arms and lax inner thighs. iLaser cannot remove large folds of excess skin, so patients with significant hanging skin may be better candidates for surgical body contouring.
Is iLaser body sculpting the same as liposuction?
No. Traditional liposuction is designed to suction and remove larger volumes of fat. iLaser 1940 uses laser energy beneath the skin for tissue tightening and contouring and may address selected localized fat concerns depending on the treatment plan. It is not a weight-loss procedure and should not be presented as a replacement for high-volume liposuction.
Is iLaser a non-surgical tummy tuck?
Patients often search for iLaser as a “non-surgical tummy tuck,” but it is not the same as abdominoplasty. iLaser may tighten lax abdominal skin and refine selected contour concerns without excising skin. A tummy tuck removes excess skin and can repair diastasis recti. Significant skin excess or muscle separation generally requires surgical evaluation.
What body areas can iLaser 1940 treat?
Body treatment plans may include the abdomen, upper arms, inner or outer thighs, flanks and other selected areas with skin laxity or localized contour concerns. iLaser may also be considered for selected cellulite concerns. The appropriate treatment plane, fiber and energy strategy depend on the anatomy and physician assessment.
Can iLaser improve cellulite?
iLaser may improve the appearance of cellulite in selected patients by treating subdermal tissue and supporting collagen remodeling and skin retraction. Cellulite can involve fibrous septae, fat architecture and skin quality, so not every dimple should be treated the same way. Refine by Tulsi evaluates the pattern of cellulite before recommending a plan.
What is the downtime after iLaser body contouring?
Recovery is typically shorter than surgical body contouring, but iLaser 1940 is minimally invasive rather than a surface-only treatment. Swelling, bruising, tenderness and temporary changes in sensation can occur. Downtime and aftercare vary by treatment area and treatment intensity; your physician will give you specific instructions.
When do iLaser skin-tightening results appear?
Some tissue retraction may be noticeable early. Improvement can continue over the following weeks and months as collagen remodels. The final degree of tightening and contour change varies with baseline skin laxity, anatomy, treatment area and individual healing response.
Who is a good candidate for iLaser 1940 body sculpting?
A good candidate is generally near a stable weight and has a focused concern such as mild-to-moderate loose skin, crepey skin, a small localized fat pocket or selected cellulite. Patients seeking major weight loss, removal of significant hanging skin or abdominal muscle repair need a different treatment strategy.
Where can I get iLaser 1940 in Chicago?
Refine by Tulsi offers physician-led iLaser 1940 consultation and treatment planning in Chicago. Refine has locations in Lincoln Park and Logan Square. A consultation is used to assess skin laxity, localized fat, cellulite pattern and whether iLaser or another body-contouring approach is more appropriate.
Find out if iLaser 1940 body sculpting fits your anatomy and goals.
Book a physician-led body contouring consultation in Chicago. We will assess skin laxity, localized fat, cellulite and your goals, then explain whether iLaser 1940, another treatment or surgery is the better fit.
(618) 298-8574Chicago, IL 60614
Chicago, IL 60647
Medical disclaimer: This page is for general educational purposes and is not medical advice, diagnosis or a guarantee of outcome. iLaser 1940 is a minimally invasive laser platform used in physician-directed aesthetic treatment plans. It is not a weight-loss procedure and does not replace excisional surgery when significant excess skin is present. Potential risks and recovery vary with treatment area and protocol. Results vary. An in-person medical evaluation is required to determine candidacy and review alternatives, risks and expected recovery.