Inside the AirSculpt Boom: The Minimally-Invasive Body Contouring Treatment Everyone’s Booking Ahead of Summer

When it comes to getting beach-ready for summer, there’s always a new wellness trend promising to deliver the perfect physique with minimal effort.

But quietly gaining traction among celebrities, influencers and everyday professionals alike is a treatment that’s far less talked about than injectables or lasers — yet just as transformative.

AirSculpt, a minimally invasive body-contouring procedure that removes stubborn fat while patients remain awake, has quickly become one of the most sought-after aesthetic treatments for those looking to refine their shape without the downtime of traditional liposuction. And as summer approaches, clinics across the country are seeing a surge in bookings from patients hoping to sculpt areas that diet and exercise alone simply won’t budge.

From reality stars to busy professionals who can’t afford weeks of recovery, AirSculpt has become the low-key beauty treatment people are flocking to in order to feel their most confident when temperatures rise.

With the buzz around AirSculpt growing fast, OK! set out to get the full scoop on the treatment — speaking with experts and researching exactly how it works, what patients can expect and why so many people are turning to it as a subtle way to refine their shape ahead of summer.

At its core, AirSculpt is a modern approach to fat removal that aims to deliver the contouring benefits of liposuction — but with a much gentler technique.

Developed as a minimally invasive alternative to traditional liposuction, the procedure uses a patented device to gently remove unwanted fat through tiny openings in the skin. Instead of the aggressive suction methods used in older liposuction techniques, AirSculpt relies on a more controlled and precise method that allows surgeons to sculpt targeted areas with a lighter touch.

That precision is a big part of what makes the treatment appealing. Rather than dramatically altering the body, AirSculpt is designed to subtly refine areas that can be frustratingly resistant to lifestyle changes — think lower stomach fat, love handles, thighs, arms or even under the chin.

“AirSculpt is popular because it allows patients to refine stubborn areas without the more aggressive approach of traditional liposuction,” Dr. Maria LoTempio, a New York City-based AirSculpt surgeon, exclusively tells OK!

“The procedure is performed while the patient is awake and uses a minimally invasive technique that lets us remove fat very precisely, which means less downtime and a quicker return to normal life."

The Airsculpt treatment has gained popularity not only because of the amazing results but also because it doesn’t require general anesthesia. Patients remain awake during the procedure, which is performed under local anesthetic, helping reduce many of the risks and recovery challenges associated with traditional surgery.

For anyone nervous about cosmetic procedures, the idea of staying awake during fat removal might sound intimidating. But the process is surprisingly straightforward — and designed to be as comfortable as possible.

AirSculpt procedures typically begin with the surgeon marking the areas of the body that will be treated. Once local anesthetic is applied, a tiny entry point — often no larger than the tip of a pen — is made in the skin.

Through that opening, a specialized cannula device is used to gently loosen and remove fat cells. Because the technique allows surgeons to target fat more precisely, there’s less trauma to surrounding tissue compared with traditional liposuction.

Patients often report feeling pressure or movement during the procedure rather than pain, and many even chat with their doctor or listen to music throughout the treatment. Depending on how many areas are being sculpted, the procedure can last anywhere from one to several hours.

Another reason people gravitate toward AirSculpt is the level of customization involved. Surgeons can contour the body in real time, shaping specific areas to create a balanced, natural look rather than removing fat indiscriminately.

The fat that is removed can even be purified and transferred elsewhere in the body in certain cases — for example, to enhance the hips or buttocks — a technique often referred to as fat transfer.

While the technology behind the treatment is sophisticated, the goal is simple: subtle refinement rather than dramatic transformation.

Maybe the biggest draw of AirSculpt is the relatively quick recovery time.

Unlike traditional liposuction, which can require weeks of downtime, most AirSculpt patients are back to their daily routines within just a few days. Because the procedure uses smaller entry points and a gentler technique, bruising and swelling tend to be less severe.

Patients are typically asked to wear compression garments for a period of two weeks after the procedure to help the body heal and encourage optimal contouring results. Mild soreness or swelling can occur, particularly in the first week, but many patients say the discomfort is manageable.

Light activity is usually possible within days, while more intense workouts may be resumed after a few weeks depending on the individual case.

Results appear gradually as swelling subsides, with the full sculpted effect becoming visible over the following months. Because fat cells removed during the procedure are permanently gone, the results can be long-lasting when combined with a healthy lifestyle.

That combination of minimal downtime and permanent fat removal is a key reason why the treatment has become so appealing for people balancing work, travel and busy schedules.

Part of AirSculpt’s growing buzz can be attributed to a wave of reality stars, influencers and celebrities who have openly shared their experiences with the treatment.

Among them is Brittany Cartwright, known for her appearances on Vanderpump Rules and The Valley. Cartwright has spoken publicly about turning to AirSculpt after the birth of her son, when she found certain areas of her body weren’t responding the way they once had.

The reality star shared that the procedure helped her regain confidence in her shape while still maintaining a natural look. Rather than aiming for dramatic weight loss, she described AirSculpt as a way to refine specific areas and feel more comfortable in her own skin.

Fellow Vanderpump Rules personality Kristen Doute has also opened up about undergoing AirSculpt, explaining that she wanted to address stubborn fat that lingered despite maintaining an active lifestyle. Doute praised the treatment for its relatively quick recovery and said she was able to return to her regular routine soon after the procedure.

Television personality and actress Jenny McCarthy has been candid about her own AirSculpt experience as well. McCarthy described the treatment as surprisingly manageable and said she appreciated being awake during the process, which allowed her to feel more in control compared with traditional surgical procedures.

Lifestyle influencer and entrepreneur Lauryn Bosstick, founder of The Skinny Confidential, has also been candid with her audience about trying AirSculpt. The podcast host and beauty guru — who regularly shares everything from wellness routines to skincare treatments with her followers — documented her experience with the procedure, describing it as a way to target stubborn areas that weren’t shifting despite her usual workouts and healthy lifestyle.

Bosstick has said she loved how precise the treatment was, allowing doctors to sculpt specific areas rather than going through a more invasive surgical procedure. She also shared that the recovery felt manageable and that she was able to ease back into her routine fairly quickly — something that resonated with many of her 2.4 million Instagram followers, who closely follow her beauty, wellness and longevity tips.

By opening up about the treatment, Bosstick helped introduce AirSculpt to a wider audience of beauty and wellness enthusiasts who are always on the lookout for the latest treatments that promise subtle but effective results.

And for celebrities and influencers who are constantly in front of the camera, procedures with minimal downtime are especially appealing — making AirSculpt an increasingly popular option among those looking for a little extra contour without pressing pause on their busy schedules.

Cosmetic treatments often follow seasonal trends, and body-contouring procedures tend to spike in the months leading up to summer. But the growing buzz around AirSculpt also reflects a bigger shift in how people are approaching aesthetic treatments today.

Instead of dramatic, highly invasive surgeries, many patients are now looking for subtle tweaks that enhance their natural shape. The focus has shifted toward refining what’s already there rather than completely transforming it — and that’s exactly where AirSculpt comes in.

Rather than overhauling their bodies, most patients are simply looking to smooth or sculpt small areas that can be frustratingly stubborn, even with regular workouts and healthy habits. Think a little extra fullness around the lower stomach, love handles that won’t quite disappear or areas that just don’t respond the way people hope they will.

And as summer approaches, those concerns tend to move to the top of people’s minds.

“A lot of people coming in right now are thinking about summer and wanting that extra bit of contour in areas that haven’t responded to diet or exercise,” Dr. Maria LoTempio exclusively tells OK! “AirSculpt allows us to sculpt those areas in a very targeted, natural-looking way.”

While no cosmetic treatment replaces healthy habits, AirSculpt has quickly found its place as a procedure designed to work alongside them. For people who already live an active lifestyle but still deal with stubborn areas that refuse to budge, the minimally invasive treatment offers a way to subtly refine and contour their shape without the need for major surgery or weeks of downtime.

Part of the appeal is how natural the results can look. Instead of dramatically transforming someone’s body, AirSculpt is all about precision — helping smooth and sculpt areas that diet and exercise alone haven’t quite perfected. That more refined approach is exactly why the treatment has resonated with people who want to enhance their shape rather than completely overhaul it.

It also fits easily into modern, busy lifestyles. With relatively minimal downtime and the ability to get back to everyday routines fairly quickly, AirSculpt has become an appealing option for professionals, parents and frequent travelers who want a little extra contour without pressing pause on their schedules.

And as more celebrities and influencers share their experiences, the once under-the-radar procedure is quickly moving into the spotlight. What was once a treatment known mostly within aesthetic circles is now becoming one of the most talked-about body-contouring options heading into summer.

In a beauty world that’s increasingly focused on subtle enhancements rather than dramatic makeovers, AirSculpt might just be the quiet summer body secret everyone is about to start talking about.