Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for heating and removing
subcutaneous fatty tissue using
radiation. For example, an
ablative laser or the like can be configured to generate a
small hole in
skin tissue that passes through the entire layer of dermal tissue. The
hole size can be small, e.g., on less than about 1 mm or 0.5 mm in
diameter. Continued application of the
radiation can heat and / or vaporize
subcutaneous fat proximal to the lower portion of the hole. Expansion of the heated or vaporized fatty tissue can facilitate ejection of the fatty tissue from the formed hole. The energy of a
radiation pulse used to form a hole and heat the fatty tissue can be, e.g., greater than about 0.5 J, e.g., between about 0.5 J and about 35 J. The
skin tissue can be cooled or partially frozen before forming one or more such holes therein, and a stabilizing film or plate may be adhered to the
skin surface to help stabilize the ablated holes.