CoolSculpting
Many people find that they cannot get rid of stubborn body fat despite diet and exercise. Pockets of fat cells tend to accumulate in areas like the upper arms, back, abdomen, flanks, and thighs. Various fat reduction methods can be used to get rid of these unsightly bulges, the most well-known of which is liposuction. However, traditional liposuction is a surgical procedure with associated risks and recovery time. If you have been struggling with unwanted fat bulges despite a healthy lifestyle, but you do not want to go under the knife, a new fat reduction treatment could be the answer. We're talking about CoolSculpting, a nonsurgical fat reduction procedure. Keep reading to learn more about this cosmetic treatment and what it can do for you.
What is CoolSculpting? Can it get rid of body fat?
CoolSculpting is an innovative, Food and Drug Administration approved fat freezing treatment that kills fat cells by exposing them to cold temperatures. The underlying principle behind CoolSculpting is cryolipolysis (cryo means freezing, lipo means fat, and lysis means breaking down and killing fat cells). Therefore, this type of body contouring procedure literally freezes fat cells to break them down and kill them. The frozen fat cells are gradually absorbed by the body over time.
In other words, the fat cells do not come back and the fat removal is permanent. You can get rid of stubborn fat cells that have not gone away with diet and exercise. CoolSculpting is an effective treatment for a double chin, muffin top, love handles, and banana rolls. Best of all, CoolSculpting, which uses intense cold to get rid of fat bulges, is a non-invasive and non-surgical procedure with proven safety and efficacy.
CoolSculpting fat freezing treatments were developed after it was incidentally discovered that fat cells are more sensitive to intense cold than other types of cells. This means that when stubborn fat cells are exposed to freezing temperatures, they die while other cells remain unaffected. The non-surgical non-invasive treatment causes minimal discomfort and there is essentially no recovery time.
What is CoolSculpting fat reduction good for?
The CoolSculpting device can be used in nine targeted areas of the body where fat freezing can be done for body contouring. This includes common problem areas such as the chin, jaw, upper arms, bra fat, lower abdomen, flanks, back fat, thighs, and buttocks. The areas treated with CoolSculpting are the areas where most people have trouble getting rid of fat cells despite a healthy diet and regular exercise. Whether the treatment site is a double chin, a banana roll, fat on the waist line, excess fat on the inner thighs, or fat bulging over the top of your pants, CoolSculpting treatments can give you a more shapely body through fat removal in problem areas.
Does CoolSculpting fat removal really work?
CoolSculpting uses scientifically-proven cryolipolysis treatment to reduce stubborn, unwanted fat in problem areas. Studies have shown that this body contouring treatment can produce up to 25% fat reduction (decrease in fat thickness) with a single treatment.
Cool Sculpting is FDA approved and non-invasive. More than 85% of people who undergo this treatment notice significant improvement in the treated areas. Also, 8 out of 10 patients who had CoolSculpting say they would gladly recommend it to their family and friends with no reservations.
Am I a candidate for CoolSculpting fat cells removal?
CoolSculpting is an effective treatment for all skin types in both men and women. There is a good chance you are a candidate for CoolSculpting treatments. However, you should be aware of what to expect from the fat cells freezing procedure. For example, CoolSculpting results are unlikely to be the kind of dramatic results you can get with more invasive treatments like traditional liposuction.
Also, the results of CoolSculpting are not visible immediately. It can take up to 3 months for you to notice a difference at the treatment site. This is because the body needs time to absorb the dead fat cells.
It is also worth noting that fat freezing yield results can vary from person to person. So, if your friend got fantastic results or poor results from CoolSculpting, your results could be different. Last but not least, remember that if you gain weight, this can lead to deposition of more fat in the area and affect your CoolSculpting results.
In general, CoolSculpting is recommended for individuals who are at or near their ideal body weight and who are motivated to eat healthy and get regular exercise. CoolSculpting is not method to lose weight or a treatment for severe obesity. It is effective in getting rid of stubborn pockets of fat cells in common problem areas.
What to expect
Procedure details
Before starting the procedure, your provider may take a few photos of the target area for comparison purposes. At the beginning of the session, the provider will place a cup-shaped CoolSculpting device on the treatment area. This device applies suction on the fatty tissue and then lowers the temperature to start the process of fat freezing. Each CoolSculpting session usually takes 45 minutes but can be more or less depending on the part of the body being treated. At the end of the session, the device is removed and the area is massaged.
Pain and discomfort
Most patients report that CoolSculpting is not painful or even uncomfortable. It is not unusual to experience a sensation of cold but this rapidly reduces as the area becomes numb. Some people experience mild tugging or tingling in the treated area, but these sensations also tend to subside with the cold-induced numbness. The discomfort experienced during CoolSculpting is significantly less compared to other non-invasive fat reduction treatment leads such as high frequency ultrasound or laser.
Recovery
There is no downtime and you can return to normal activities on the day of your CoolSculpting treatment.
Results
As noted above, people who undergo CoolSculpting can get up to 25% reduction in fat thickness with a single treatment session. However, most people require more CoolSculpting treatments, usually 1-2 sessions in total, for the best results. In general, thick fat like back fat and thigh fat typically requires more sessions. CoolSculpting treatments are scheduled 8 weeks apart. This gives the body time to absorb the frozen and dead fat cells. At the time of your initial consultation, your provider will advise you whether one treatment is likely to be sufficient or you will require more treatments.
The results of CoolSculpting are noticeable 3-4 weeks after the treatment and continue to improve over time. The final results are visible 8-10 weeks after the treatment session. At this time, the fat is gone forever and will not come back unless you gain weight.
Why is CoolSculpting of fat cells bad?
CoolSculpting of fat cells is not bad. It is a safe and effective procedure. However, like all cosmetic treatments there are some potential side effects. The most common side effects of CoolSculpting include bruising, swelling, tenderness, and tingling. These symptoms are temporary and typically go away after a few days. Rarely, CoolSculpting can lead to itching and skin sensitivity. When the fat removal is performed in the chin or jaw, some people report a feeling of fullness in the throat. Another rare side effect of CoolSculpting is an enlargement of the treated area (this is called paradoxical adipose hyperplasia). Paradoxical adipose hyperplasia may need to be corrected surgically. It is worth noting that the side effects and potential complications of CoolSculpting are significantly less compared to current treatment paradigms like traditional liposuction.
How much does CoolSculpting cost?
Your CoolSculpting cost will depend on your geographical location as well as the part of the body being treated and the number of sessions required. When you get a quote for CoolSculpting from a provider, make sure it is for the total number of treatments you will require. On average, CoolSculpting cost ranges between $2,000 to $4,000 per session. CoolSculpting is a cosmetic procedure and will not be covered by health insurance.
Finding a provider
If you've been diligent about diet and exercise and are still left battling some stubborn fat bulges, CoolSculpting can give you the sculpted body you've been dreaming about. It is a safe and effective body contouring treatment for resistant fat in areas like the buttocks, thighs, flanks, back, and belly. CoolSculpting is suitable for all skin types in both men and women, so there's a good chance you can benefit from these treatments. Best of all, there are no medications, no special diets, no cuts, no needles, and no pain involved.
The MeTime app makes it easy to find an experienced cosmetic surgeon, dermatologist, or other healthcare professional for CoolSculpting. You can click and upload pictures, chat with experts, schedule a video consult, and have suggestions sent directly to you. The app connects you certified plastic surgeons and wellness professionals with experience in CoolSculpting work. These professionals can provide medical advice and determine whether you can benefit from CoolSculpting.
Can't wait to see what CoolSculpting fat reduction treatment can do for you? Try the MeTime app today!