Do you have a pocket or pockets of fat that bother you? Perhaps it’s that lower abdominal “pooch” that many of us struggle with, or those love handles that create a muffin top in your skinny jeans. For many of us, even diet and exercise doesn’t totally get rid of these stubborn pockets of fat. You may think that the only options left are surgical procedures such as liposuction, or total starvation. Well, CoolSculpting may be the answer to your fat-reduction prayers!
What is CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting is a non-invasive (meaning non-surgical) fat reduction method that uses cold temperatures to freeze and “kill” unwanted fat cells. Using cold temperatures to kill fat cells is known as Cryolipolysis. This technology was developed by two physicians at Harvard University, and has been FDA approved for treatment in the United States since 2010. Since then, over 6 million treatments have been performed worldwide! It is FDA approved to treat pockets of fat located on the abdomen, upper arms, flanks, hips and inner thighs to name a few.
How does it work?
During treatment, the targeted fat is gently sucked into the treatment cup using a vacuum-like suction. The tissue is then cooled to a temperature low enough to cause injury to the fat cells, without damaging the surrounding skin, muscle or nerves. At first, you may feel an intense cold or burning sensation, but after about 5-10 minutes the area tends to go numb. During the treatment you can watch TV, read a book or catch up on work on your laptop! Once the cycle is done, a two minute post-treatment massage of the tissue is completed to introduce warmth back to the area. This “shocks” the targeted fat cells even more, resulting in further injury, and eventual fat cell death. In most people 20-25% of the fat cells in the treatment area will die, and over the course of the next 1-3 months your body will break down and remove those fat cells. Once they are removed from your body they are gone for good!
Are you a good candidate?
By adolescence we all have a set number of fat cells that are capable of growing or shrinking as we gain and lose weight. The only way you “grow” new fat cells is if you become obese or morbidly obese. Our bodies store these fat cells in two different areas; viscerally or subcutaneously. Visceral fat is located internally (such as the fat that is located inside your abdominal cavity, around your abdominal organs), and cannot be treated by CoolSculpting or any other cosmetic procedure or surgery. Subcutaneous fat is the pinchable fat located beneath your skin. This is the fat that can be targeted and treated by CoolSculpting.
The best candidates for CoolSculpting are at their ideal or normal weight, and have discrete pockets of pinchable fat beneath the surface of their skin. If you cannot pinch and slightly “roll” the fat between your fingers that area may not be the best area treat. If you are interested in CoolSculpting and would like to see if you are a candidate for treatment, call to schedule a consultation with our CoolSculpting Specialist!
How much does it cost?
CoolSculpting treatments are customized to the patient based on their targeted treatment area and aesthetic goals. In most cases, people need more than one treatment of their “problem area” in order to obtain the best results. If you are interested in CoolSculpting and would like a price quote for your treatment, call to schedule a complementary consultation today!
