Even though the days are still cool and the tourists have not yet arrived, summer will be here sooner than we think, and that means it is time to start thinking about bathing suit season. Instead of spending your lunch picking at kale and lettuce and your evenings at the gym, try something different—CoolSculpting. Using innovative fat freeze technology, CoolSculpting targets diet- and exercise-resistant fat on those areas where it’s particularly hard to lose like the love handles and hips.
CoolSculpting is a non-surgical fat reduction treatment that involves no needles, anesthesia, or incisions. It’s based on the idea of cooling subcutaneous fat to the extent that the fat cells are destroyed by the cooling procedure and absorbed by the body. Subcutaneous fat is the fat layer just underneath the skin.
How Does CoolSculpting Work?
CoolSculpting is from the science of cryolipolysis, which taps into the cellular response to cold temperatures to break down fatty tissue. By extracting energy from fat layers, the procedure causes the fat cells to die gradually while leaving the nerves, muscle, and other tissues unaffected. During the months after the procedure, the destroyed fat cells are sent to the lymphatic system to be discarded as waste.
Procedure for CoolSculpting
An aesthetic doctor will perform the procedure using a handheld device. The device has tools that look similar to the nozzles of a vacuum cleaner.
During the procedure, the aesthetic doctor will apply a gel pad and applicator to the targeted part. The applicator delivers controlled cooling to the focus fat area. The provider will then place the device over your skin while administering suction and cooling technology to the target area. Some aesthetic clinics have several machines that let them treat multiple target areas in one visit.
It’s typical to experience some feelings of pinching and pulling during the process, but overall the procedure involves minimal pain. The aesthetic doctor will typically massage the treated areas immediately after treatment to break up any frozen deep tissue. This will help your body absorb the destroyed fat cells. Some people complain that the massage is a bit uncomfortable.
Each treatment can take anywhere between one to three hours. People frequently read, listen to music, or even work on the computer during the treatment.
Targeted Areas for CoolSculpting
CoolSculpting may be used to diminish fat in the following areas:
- inner and outer thighs
- upper and lower abdomen
- arms
- bra and back fat
- flanks (or love handles)
- chin area (or double chin)
- under the buttocks
Are There Any Risks or Side Effects?
CoolSculpting was recently approved by the FDA in 2012, originally for cold-assisted lipolysis of flanks and abdomen. Since then, the FDA has approved the procedure for multiple body areas. The safety and efficacy have been confirmed by the FDA based on clinical trials. No adverse effects were reported during the clinical trials.
As a non-surgical procedure, CoolSculpting is relatively safe. Common side effects during the treatment include:
- pulling
- stinging
- sensations of intense cold
- tingling
- aching
- cramping
These should all subside once the treatment area is numb. After the procedure, you may experience temporary side effects that will usually go away within the next few days.
As with any other medical treatment, you should consult your aesthetic doctor to see if CoolSculpting is right for you.
The final results of this fat freezing treatment are up to you. If you maintain a proper diet and exercise routine following your body contouring procedure, the results will last. If you go back to bad habits, you will regain weight and fat.
Nevertheless, by keeping yourself in shape with a healthy diet and proper exercise, your body contouring results could be permanent.