Have you been committed to consistently following a healthy eating plan and exercise routine yet still find that you can’t get rid of certain areas of fat? This is the case for many men and women, which can be frustrating and discouraging. It’s important to keep in mind that there are other factors that play a role in fat distribution throughout the body, such as age, genetics, and certain diseases. So while those stubborn areas of fat may not be your fault, they can still be a cause of cosmetic concern. That’s where CoolSculpting can help.
CoolSculpting® is the only FDA-approved non-surgical fat-reduction treatment of its kind. This unique technology uses a precisely-controlled cooling technique to freeze and eliminate unwanted fat cells (even that stubborn fat that fails to respond to diet and exercise).
Since CoolSculpting® is a nonsurgical procedure, there is little to no downtime required following your treatment. This is appealing to many people since previously the only accepted procedure for body contouring was liposuction, which involves anesthesia, operating room time, and surgical incisions to the skin. Furthermore, minimally invasive procedures like CoolSculpting® come without the level of risk and side effects associated with surgical procedures. (Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2014)
Keep reading to learn exactly how CoolSculpting® works, what you can expect with this procedure, and how it can give you the body shape that you desire.
How it works
CoolSculpting® technology involves a controlled cooling technique called cryolipolysis. Cryolipolysis, commonly known as “fat freezing”, destroys adipocytes (fat cells) by exposing them to a temperature of +5 to -5°C. At these temperatures, cells of the subcutaneous fat tissue undergo apoptosis (programmed cell death), eliciting an inflammatory response that causes surrounding macrophages to slowly digest the targeted cells. (Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2014) This mechanism is effective based on the premise that adipocytes are more susceptible to cooling than other skin cells, therefore the procedure does not harm any of the surrounding skin.
The CoolSculpting® procedure does not require anesthesia and typically takes between one to three hours. In the weeks following treatment, the destroyed fat cells are naturally eliminated from the body.
What can I expect with this procedure?
Cryolipolysis has been proven to be a very safe and effective method for body contouring. (Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2014) Patients have reported only minimal discomfort with this procedure, with mild side effects such as redness, bruising, and temporary numbness. These effects typically resolve within 14 days after treatment.
A 2013 multicenter study published in Dermatologic Surgery investigated the safety, tolerance, and patient satisfaction of noninvasive cryolipolysis in 518 European patients. The results of the study revealed that 89% of respondents reported a positive perception of treatment duration and 96% reported minimal to tolerable discomfort. Additionally, no significant side effects or adverse events were reported.
In terms of the efficacy of cryolipolysis procedures, the study found through caliper measurements that fat layer thickness was reduced by 23% at 3 months. Furthermore, treatment of the abdomen, back, and flank areas proved to be the most effective, with 86% of subjects showing improvement per investigator assessment. (Dermatol Surg. 2013)
Due to the minimal side effects, zero downtime, and lasting results CoolSculpting® has a very high patient satisfaction rate of 73%, which is higher than with other technologies used for noninvasive lipolysis. (Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2014) Most patients can return to their normal activities on the same day as the procedure, even their normal exercise regimens. Additionally, a survey administered in the aforementioned study found that 82% of patients would recommend the cryolipolysis procedure to a friend.
Since this procedure actually reduces the number of fat cells that are present in the treated areas, your results are permanent. During the weeks and months following a CoolSculpting® treatment, you can expect to gradually notice your clothes start to fit and feel better and your body contours are sleeker and slimmer. While these results are permanent, it is still recommended that you continue to follow a healthy diet and exercise routine in order to prevent the areas of fat from developing again.
Who is a candidate?
Although men and women tend to show fat in different areas, the CoolSculpting® procedure works for both. This procedure can be used to treat excess fat nearly anywhere on the body, including the abdomen, flank, thigh, underneath the buttock, upper arm, bra fat and back fat.
CoolSculpting® can help both women and men get rid of stubborn bulges nearly anywhere on the body for good. If you’re considering CoolSculpting® or other nonsurgical body contouring procedures, contact New York board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jessica Krant today to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward achieving the smoother, sleeker look you’ve always wanted.
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