The Facts about CoolSculpting
Losing weight or fat might be a challenge, and considering alternatives might not seem too farfetched. CoolSculpting is one of those choices that you may have come across. This article will look at what CoolSculpting is and some of the facts about the procedure.
What Is CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting is also referred to as cryolipolysis. It is the process of freezing fat to reduce or get rid of stubborn fat tissues from your body. CoolSculpting is considered a safe medical procedure approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2010.
How Does CoolSculpting Therapy Work?
CoolSculpting is a non-surgical procedure and is a non-invasive medical practice. The procedure is done by a licensed practitioner using special tools to control cooling and freeze parts of your body with fat tissues. The procedure involves rolling the skin between two panels that freeze the skin and the fat tissues underneath. The tissues are chilled and start disintegrating, leading to their death. The body later excretes the dead cells through the liver. Finally, all treated fat tissues are removed permanently. The procedure takes about 30 minutes to two hours. The therapy destroys about 20% to 25% of all the fat tissues in the targeted area.
How Before You See The Final Results Of CoolSculpting?
After treatment, the dead fat cells are left in the body as waste. Your immune system flushes out the dead fat cells through your liver. As a result, the targeted area marginally slims down over time. The process takes a few weeks before clearing out all the dead cells. Full results can be seen three to six months after the procedure. Any untreated areas will have no fat tissue changes.
Who Performs The CoolSculpting Procedure?
CoolSculpting is performed by licensed plastic or cosmetic surgeons. It’s important to always consult with a licensed medical practitioner before undertaking any medical procedures to ensure minimal health risk and therapy success.
What Are Some Of The Risks And Side Effects Of CoolSculpting?
Being a non-surgical and non-invasive medical procedure, there’s a high success rate with minimum risk and side effects to your health. In addition, you will need minimum recovery procedures after the therapy, and you can head home the same day after the procedure. But, there are a few reactions you should expect during and after CoolSculpting therapy. Some of the most common side effects of CoolSculpting includes:
- Pulling sensation on the targeted area. As your skin is rolled between the cooling panels, you may experience a tugging sensation at the treatment site. Unfortunately, you will have to put up with the tugging feeling for the entirety of the procedure.
- Temporary swelling, numbness, redness, bruising, and sensitivity of the treated area. Temporary swelling, numbness, redness, bruising, and sensitivity can occur due to exposure to cold temperatures on the target area. These side-effects usually last from a few days to a few weeks after the CoolSculpting procedure.
- Stinging, aching, or pain at the treatment area. Thirdly, another common side effect of CoolSculpting is experiencing a stinging sensation, aches, or pain in the target site. The feeling typically starts during the procedure and may take a few days to a few weeks after treatment.
- Paradoxical adipose hyperplasia at the target area. In some cases, the fat in treated areas may expand and harden due to the extreme cold, causing abnormal fatty lumps. This is called paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH). Instead of the fat tissues shrinking and slowly degenerating, the CoolSculpting leads to an abnormal bulge of your fat tissues. However, the PAH does not disappear on its own and may require your physician’s intervention.
Who Shouldn’t Undergo CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting is a relatively safe treatment of body fat reduction for most people. However, studies suggest people with some preexisting conditions are at a considerably higher health risk after undergoing the therapy. Undertaking CoolSculpting may cause serious complications. If you suffer from the following conditions, you are advised to avoid CoolSculpting:
- Paroxysmal Cold Hemoglobinuria
- Cold Agglutinin Disease
- Cryoglobulinemia
Before undertaking any medical procedures, including CoolSculpting, always consult with a medical practitioner or plastic surgeon. Pure Dermatology Cosmetic & Hair Center offers consultation services on CoolSculpting therapy.
Myths about CoolSculpting
Though CoolSculpting procedures have become common, a few misconceptions are still shared about the treatment. Here are a few myths that we would like to clear up about CoolSculpting:
1. CoolSculpting is a great alternative to weight loss Though CoolSculpting is designed to reduce fat cells and tissues in the body, it is not an alternative program to weight loss. It is always important to understand the difference between fat reduction and weight loss. The procedure reduces fat cells in small sections in your body that are hard to get rid of even after undertaking weight loss programs. However, CoolSculpting cannot replace proper balanced diets and exercise.
2. The results are instant You won’t see CoolSculpting results the following day or week. This is because, after the procedure, it takes a while before the fat cell waste is eliminated from your body. The final results can be seen a few weeks or months after undergoing the procedure.
3. CoolSculpting is a treatment for sagging skin Some people might think that CoolSculpting will help with sagging skin. However, the cool temperature only affects the fat tissues underneath the skin and not the surrounding tissue. Therefore, the skin will be unaffected, and your skin will still retain its laxity after the procedure.
4. CoolSculpting is only effective for your tummy The procedure’s versatility means our center can perform the therapy on any body part that requires fat reduction without affecting the effectiveness of the therapy. Some of the most common target areas that we perform the procedure include:
- Stomach
- Upper arms
- Neck
- Inner or outer thighs
- Knees
- Banana fold
- Hips
In Conclusion, CoolSculpting is a good alternative to other fat reduction therapies. The non-invasive nature of the procedure leaves no scars, making it ideal. In addition, the elimination of fat cells is permanent. Results of the procedure may take a few weeks to months before you fully see them. If you desire to find out more about CoolSculpting, do not hesitate to consult with Pure Dermatology Cosmetic & Hair Center.
