Fat Freeze Sculpting Is FDA-Approved
Fat Freeze Sculpting Is FDA-Approved
Fat freeze sculpting is FDA-approved for noninvasively reducing unwanted pockets of fat in stubborn body areas. This popular procedure destroys fat cells while leaving skin, nerves, and other tissue unharmed.
It’s based on a technology called cryolipolysis. The treatment involves vacuuming the fatty area into an applicator that cools and destroys the fat cells.
What is CoolSculpting?
Fat Freezing, also known as CoolSculpting or cryogenic lipolysis, is a noninvasive procedure that permanently destroys unwanted fat cells in the body. The FDA-cleared treatment is an excellent option for people who have stubborn pockets of fat that diet and exercise can’t get rid of.
The process is simple. The practitioner suctions the area of unwanted fat and puts it between two panels that are cooled to freezing temperatures. This freezes the fat cells, which the lymphatic system then processes and eliminates over a period of months.
As the dead fat cells are eliminated, the body will gradually reshape the area, giving you a slimmer waist or thigh. CoolSculpting sessions last about 35 minutes and can be fitted into a lunch break. Each session typically produces results within a few months. Additional treatments can boost these results, but the effects should remain permanent as long as you maintain a healthy lifestyle.
While there are many studies demonstrating the efficacy of CoolSculpting, it doesn’t work for everyone and has both pros and cons. It is a good idea to talk to a doctor before you decide whether this treatment is right for you. The doctor can explain how the procedure works, what it can and cannot do, as well as discuss the side effects. You can then decide if the benefits outweigh the risks.
How Does CoolSculpting Work?
The FDA-approved CoolSculpting procedure, also known as cryolipolysis, works by destroying fat cells. This process involves freezing the cells so they die and are removed naturally by the body’s lymphatic system. The treatment takes about an hour per area and can target the stomach, thighs, arms, back, bra line, and under the chin.
The procedure uses an applicator that essentially “sucks up” a bulge of fat, explains Dr. Waldorf. During the procedure, you may feel a tugging sensation and intense coldness before it progresses to numbness. Some people also report a feeling of pressure or tightness, which subsides soon after.
Once the fat cells die, they are eliminated from your body in the lymphatic system over a few months. After fat freeze sculpting the process, patients typically see a 20-25% reduction in fat cells in the treated areas, though individual barometers vary.
In some rare cases, the body’s response to CoolSculpting can lead to an enlargement of the fat cells in the treated area (known as paradoxical adipose hyperplasia). A 2014 study, which was connected to a company that sells CoolSculpting products, reported that PAH occurred in less than 1 percent of reviewed cases. Other than that, CoolSculpting is safe and has no long-term side effects. It’s important to note that this isn’t a weight loss method, and patients should be willing to commit to a healthy lifestyle to help their results last.
What Are the Side Effects of CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting is a noninvasive, patented procedure that has been FDA-cleared to reduce stubborn fat cells in the inner and outer thighs, abdomen, flanks, arms, and chin. The technology clatuu fat freezing behind the device is called cryolipolysis, and it uses freezing temperatures to break down fat cells without harming surrounding tissue or nerves.
The treatment is quick, noninvasive, and does not require anesthesia. During the session, you may feel a tugging sensation where your skin is being pulled between the cooling plates. Some people find this uncomfortable, but it is temporary. Many patients read books, watch videos, or work on their laptops during their treatment.
After the treatment, your body processes and flushes away the frozen fat cells that were killed by CoolSculpting. You should see noticeable results in the weeks following your treatment, with full results becoming visible after three to six months as the remaining dead fat cells are eliminated.
The most common side effects of CoolSculpting are redness, swelling, or tenderness at the treatment site. These side effects are related to the immune system’s response to the death of the treated fat cells and should subside within a few days or weeks. The risk of serious side effects is very low, but it’s important to choose a qualified physician for your treatment. An experienced doctor will take the time to understand your specific health history and goals for treatment so they can recommend the best treatment plan for you.
Are There Any Long-Term Side Effects of CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting sounds like a miracle device, promising to remove stubborn fat bulges without surgery. The FDA-cleared procedure uses cryolipolysis, or fat-freezing, to reduce the thickness of fatty tissues in target areas. Unlike liposuction, it doesn’t damage muscle or skin cells. However, that doesn’t mean the treatment is risk-free. It can cause a few side effects, including long-term pain and discomfort, that should be considered before seeking out this procedure.
When you think of CoolSculpting, you probably imagine the pictures on the Internet of people who’ve benefited from this body contouring treatment. But these pictures are often misleading, because they don’t show the long-term results of CoolSculpting.
For one thing, you’ll likely have red, blotchy skin in the area of the treated fat cells after your CoolSculpting session. While it’s not as serious as rosy cheeks from spending too much time in cold temperatures, the redness is not as attractive and can last for months.
Depending on where you have your CoolSculpting treatment, you may also experience itching and cramping as the dead fat cells are eliminated from your body. If you have a large amount of fat to remove in a specific area, you might need multiple sessions, which can take up to an hour. The best way to know if this is the right treatment for you is to schedule a consultation with a practitioner who is licensed to perform CoolSculpting.