Like most of us, you probably have stubborn areas of fat that even regular exercise or a healthy diet won’t conquer. The good news is that fat-freezing treatments can target these areas without surgery.
According to the creators of the CoolSculpting procedure, it is a “unique fat freezing technology that is a non-surgical, scientifically proven way to reduce pockets of fat in trouble spots such as the abdomen, flanks, or under the chin in as little as one session.”
It sounds like a fantastic and easy way to contour your body and restore a more youthful figure with minimal stress or recovery.
But does CoolSculpting really work?
First, let’s get something straight. CoolSculpting isn’t a way to lose weight. If you go into the procedure with the expectation of shedding extra pounds, you will be disappointed.
Instead, it sculpts your body and eliminates fat in problem areas.
The technical term for CoolSculpting is cryolipolysis or fat freezing. It was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2010.
The CoolSculpting device, rounded paddles that suction your skin, uses controlled cooling technology. It causes the expulsion of excess fat cells from the body, effectively sculpting and defining common trouble spots.
Researchers came up with cryolipolysis by studying what happens to fat when you get frostbite. Fat freezes at a higher temperature than skin. Therefore, the CoolSculpting device cools your fat to a temperature that destroys it while leaving your skin and other tissues unharmed.
The CoolSculpting fat freezing treatment is done in a cosmetic surgeon’s office. It’s not a surgery, and there are no needles involved.
Treatment takes around 35 to 60 minutes for each target area, and at the end of each session, the area is massaged for 2 to 3 minutes, during which patients may feel a tingling sensation.
The best candidates for CoolSculpting are near their ideal weight and in overall good health.
They may have a pouch in their lower abdomen they can’t seem to get rid of, love handles, or fat pockets in the buttocks or thighs.
The fat-freezing treatment is quick and less invasive than surgery or liposuction. But what about the results?
Is cool sculpting permanent?
Once fat cells are destroyed, they are gone forever, so the results of CoolSculpting could potentially last a lifetime. Maintenance, however, is up to the patient.
It’s important to maintain a healthy diet and engage in regular exercise to make sure the bulges and rolls don’t make an unwanted return.
Some people who experience the CoolSculpting fat freezing treatment see the effects after one session, but typically it takes a few treatments to achieve optimal results. Of course, it depends on the patient and the areas being treated.
Every patient responds differently. Overall, if you receive several treatments, the results will be more dramatic.
One of the best benefits of CoolSculpting is the minimal downtime and pain following the procedure. Patients can return to work or their normal routine the same day.
Possible side effects include short-term pink or red skin in the treatment area. Occasionally patients can experience mild swelling, bruising, or skin sensitivity.
If you are frustrated with stubborn fat that’s resistant to even the most aggressive exercise routine, it’s time to search, “CoolSculpting near me” and explore what this popular procedure has to offer.
At Kitto Plastic Surgery, Dr. Kitto offers CoolSculpting along with a variety of other non-invasive and non-surgical procedures.
To learn more about ways to combat aging, improve your appearance, and gain confidence without surgery, visit Kitto Plastic Surgery’s non-invasive surgery page.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Kitto about CoolSculpting and to learn more about how it works, call 804-294-1777!