Cryolipolysis (CoolSculpting): Is It Effective?

Cryolipolysis, often known as CoolSculpting, is a brand name for a non-invasive medical process that helps get rid of extra fat cells under your skin.

What is cryolipolysis?

A non-invasive fat-reduction technique called CoolSculpting is used to remove extra body fat in certain areas of the body. Targeted fat cells are frozen using this method at low temperatures.

Cold lipolysis targets and freezes subcutaneous fat cells in a manner akin to freezing technology. The frozen cells eventually decompose and are expelled over time by the body’s normal metabolic process. Since the process just affects the fat cells, it can produce good results without harming the skin or surrounding tissues.

Typically, cryolipolysis is utilized to get rid of resistant fat in places like the chin, hips, thighs, arms, back, and waist. An hour is spent on the process, and typically one session is enough. There is no need for a recuperation period after the treatment; the patient may resume normal daily activities right away.

Cold lipolysis should not be utilized as a weight reduction or obesity treatment, nevertheless. Healthy people who desire to attain a slimmer body shape should use this technique. Additionally, before having this operation, anyone with a medical condition or a cold sensitivity should speak with a doctor.

Does cryolipolysis work for everyone?

The good candidate for fat freezing should be within 10 to 15 pounds of their optimum body weight as it is not a weight reduction procedure. The ideal patient for CoolSculpting is someone who has a relatively modest pocket of stubborn fat in the area of concern despite following a good diet and exercising regularly.

Furthermore, not everyone experiences success with the method. People who are close to their target body weight for their physique and have pinchable fat in resistant regions respond well to it.

How is cryolipolysis performed?

The operation can be carried out in an outpatient clinic or a doctor’s office. A skin-marking pencil is used to draw a border around the treatment region after determining the size and form of the fatty deposit. During the surgery, the patients are awake.

An applicator, a portable device, is utilized to freeze the layer of fat cells (adipocytes) beneath the skin. A protective gel pad is initially placed over the area to safeguard the skin. The fat bulge is then drawn or suctioned into the hollow opening of the applicator, resulting in a sensation of pulling or tugging. Apart from the intense cold, other potential sensations such as tingling, stinging, aching, and cramping typically diminish within 5 to 10 minutes during the cooling process. Subsequently, the area becomes numb. The gradual cooling of the fat layer lowers it to the targeted temperature range, which typically falls between 30.2 and 39.2 degrees Fahrenheit.

An area can be treated for up to an hour. The applicator is taken off once the area has been treated. To help break down the fat cells, massage the region for two to three minutes.

Does cryolipolysis really work?

The benefits of fat freezing are numerous:

• A surgical incision is not necessary.
• A single session may include treating many bodily parts.
• After treatment, the majority of patients may resume their regular daily activities right away.
• People of any age can have the operation.
• No muscles, blood vessels, nerves, or skin are permanently damaged in the treatment region.
• It carries little danger. Infection is not a concern.
• The surgery can be done without an overnight stay in a hospital.
• Before the treatment, patients do not require anesthesia or sedation.
• Damaged or destroyed fat cells are eliminated from the body permanently.

What are the disadvantages of fat freezing?

Cryolipolysis has drawbacks, including:

• Only those seeking “spot” fat reduction in certain parts of the body and excellent overall health without neurologic or orthopedic issues may consider the surgery. For those who are obese, CoolSculpting is not advised.
• After healing, there is a chance that the skin’s surface may be uneven or imperfect.
• It’s possible to gain weight after having cryolipolysis. The body may also store fat in other places.
• The outcomes a person wants to see can need more than one session.
  If additional treatment sessions are required, the second one cannot be carried out until 6 to 8 weeks following the first. This is because the removal of damaged fat cells from the body might take this long.
• Results take time to become apparent. It may take 3 to 6 months to get the best outcomes since fat cells leave the body gradually.
• Paradoxical adipose hyperplasia is an uncommon side effect that might happen. After cryolipolysis, fat cells enlarge in this uncommon disease. The likelihood of experiencing it is higher in men and those of Hispanic ancestry.

Does cryolipolysis have side effects?

The following short-term negative effects for the treated areas might occur:

• Injuries or aches
• Numbness or sensitivity to the touch
• The skin may sting or tingle.
• Redness
• Bruising or skin discoloration
• Swelling

A few days to a few weeks following treatment, side symptoms may still be present. To treat pain or other discomfort, your doctor can advise using an analgesic drug.

Fat Freezing vs. Cavitation

Although the elimination of fat from the body is facilitated by both treatments, the technique of the process varies primarily. Compared to cryolipolysis, which uses low-frequency sound waves and ultrasound to reduce fat, ultrasonic cavitation is a very different process.

This works well to cure cellulite because it targets a wider area of fat and causes cavitation, which helps to shape the body. Cryolipolysis, on the other hand, works on the affected region at carefully regulated low temperatures and is significantly more appropriate and successful in treating more targeted fat buildup and fat pockets that may be extracted.

For optimal outcomes, it is recommended to undergo six to twelve sessions of cavitation fat treatment, with intervals of five to seven days between each session. This treatment has the potential to eliminate up to 12 cm of fat. Each session typically lasts between forty minutes to an hour. Patients often observe notable progress in their weight loss within 6 to 12 weeks, although individual results may differ.

On the other hand, complete benefits from cryolipolysis may not be seen for 6 to 10 weeks after a single, 45 to 1-hour treatment. Dietary considerations can also be integrated for a more successful result.

Compared to cryolipolysis, which takes a month for benefits to become apparent, cavitation/fat melting treatments are thought to provide results more quickly. In contrast to cavitation, cryolipolysis produces longer-lasting and more durable outcomes. For cavitation to have comparable results, more treatment sessions are needed.

CoolSculpting vs. Laser Lipo

The choice between laser liposuction and CoolSculpting depends on individual preferences. CoolSculpting is the preferred option for those comfortable with a gradual process and seeking to avoid surgery, its associated risks, and lengthy recovery. On the other hand, laser liposuction is more appealing for individuals aiming to remove a significant amount of fat in a single session, are generally in good health, and have no history of easy scarring. Both CoolSculpting and Laser Lipo are FDA-approved methods for treating stubborn fat pockets that resist diet and exercise. While both procedures serve as excellent alternatives to traditional liposuction, CoolSculpting stands out as the top choice for non-invasive, safe, and effective body contouring, even though both yield positive results.

CoolSculpting vs. Liposuction

The most suitable fat removal method for a patient is determined primarily by their specific body type and cosmetic goals. It is advisable for those considering fat removal to consult a certified specialist in this field to ascertain the most suitable procedure. Our trained medical professionals assess your body contours and bulges to determine the most effective therapy for achieving optimal fat removal results. Our clinic serves a substantial number of patients annually, with a significant portion successfully achieving fat reduction without the need for invasive surgery or prolonged recovery periods.

Call us now at +90 (536) 934 6524 for a personal consultation and advice on which is the best option for your needs and aesthetic goals.