How many inches are people really losing from the Zerona treatment? In 2011, the FDA conducted a level 1c clinical test of the Zerona laser for safety and efficacy. The study was double-blind, random, and placebo controlled. The FDA determined beforehand that for Zerona to produce clinically meaningful results, it would need to demonstrate a cumulative reduction of at least 3.0 inches from the target area: the waist, hips and thighs. The outcome was astounding: 26 out of 35 patients subjected to the laser treatment showed at least a 3.0 inch reduction, while only 2 subjects out of 32 who were given a "sham" placebo treatment lost 3.0 inches or more.