You exercise and eat right, follow all of the traditional weight loss rules, but stubborn fat bulges remain. That’s because they’re often immune to diet and exercise, and getting rid of that stubborn fat had previously required invasive liposuction. Luckily, that’s no longer the case. CoolSculpting is a revolutionary non-surgical contouring treatment that freezes stubborn fat, which is then removed naturally from the body. The FDA-approved treatment requires no needles, no special diets, no supplements, no incisions, and no downtime. But what exactly is this procedure, and how does it work?
What is CoolSculpting and How Is It Different than Liposuction?
CoolSculpting — scientifically known as cryolipolysis — is essentially a procedure that freezes fat cells. An applicator resembling the nozzle of a vacuum and applies suction to the area you want to target. The sensation is a firm tug and pull – enough of a pull to ensure the selected tissue will be efficiently cooled. The applicator then applies carefully regulated cooling plates to bring fat cells down to a temperature at which they are irreversibly damaged. For most areas, the process takes about 35 minutes.
During the CoolSculpting treatment, as the panels go to work in the first few minutes, you will feel a sensation of intense cold which soon dissipates. You will remain seated comfortably or will lie down during the procedure, which will take one to two hours. Many people spend this time reading, working on their laptop, or simply relaxing.
When Will I See Results From CoolSculpting?
One important thing to note about CoolSculpting is that there will not be immediate results once the procedure is done. After the deep-freeze damage to the fat cells, they will eventually die and be eliminated by the body — a process which takes time. You’ll start to see results after a few weeks with the final effects revealed in three months.
While this is longer than some other invasive procedures can be, the fact that this procedure can be done so quickly and non-intrusively makes it a more efficient route in some cases.
Does CoolSculpting Actually Work?
In a clinical trial in 2014, CoolSculpting gave way to impressive results with up to a 25 percent reduction in subcutaneous fat in the treatment area. With CoolSculpting, fat cells are actually eliminated, which is a lasting change.
This procedure has gone viral, gaining notoriety amongst influencers such as makeup influencer Tati Westbrook who has over 9.7 million subscribers on YouTube.
Other famous celebrities include Molly Sims, Jennifer Aniston, Khloe Kardashian, Lindsay Lohan, and Mariah Carey. Molly Sims is an active spokesperson for CoolSculpting after her two pregnancies. This procedure allowed her to return back to her pre-baby body. She said, “My body changed after having a baby and there were areas that would not respond to diet and exercise no matter how hard I tried. [With CoolSculpting], there was no downtime. It’s perfect for busy moms! I had a wonderful experience, and I plan on doing it again.”
Kris Jenner even filmed her experience with CoolSculpting during an episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, while Khloe Kardashian has used CoolSculpting as well to help reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
Ali Landry, anchor of E! News, used it as a more permanent solution to replace constantly wearing spanx to cover up her lower stomach region. She said that after two months, she could “see her waist again!”
Jennifer Aniston uses CoolSculpting to maintain her sculpted body, noting that it helps her maintain the lines she’d like in her problem areas where stubborn fat had previously hung out.
Who Can Use CoolSculpting?
With this viral sensationalism surrounding CoolSculpting, it is important to note that there are a few criteria for candidacy for CoolSculpting with Dr. Tehrani at either the Manhattan or Long Island medspas.
A basic criteria would be to assess if you have pockets of localized fat and good skin elasticity, and if so, you would be a good candidate for CoolSculpting. While some patients might benefit more from surgical liposuction, Dr. Tehrani will advise you of the best treatment during your consultation and examination. He will always suggest the least invasive procedure for you that will provide you with the results you want.
Another aspect of note is that CoolSculpting is not a weight loss procedure; it reduces inches from a targeted area and eliminates fat deposits. It is ideal for those who are already leading a healthy, active lifestyle and want to see improvement in areas that diet and exercise has not been able to improve.
What Happens If I’m Not A Candidate for CoolSculpting but Still Don’t Want Liposuction?
In theory, CoolSculpting can tackle just about any unwanted bulge — it’s FDA-approved for the abdomen, “love handles,” thighs, upper arms, “bra fat,” back fat, and “double chin” — but there is one big caveat: you have to have enough fat for the applicator to adhere to.