CoolSculpting® is an FDA-approved procedure developed by scientists at the Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University. The practitioner uses a special device to freeze and eliminate fat cells. Since fat cells freeze at higher temperatures and crystallize more quickly than do other tissues, CoolSculpting® does not harm those other tissues. The frozen fat cells shrink, die, and are absorbed by the body. While diet and exercise merely shrink existing fat cells, CoolSculpting® gets rid of them for good.
What does the procedure involve?
The CoolSculpting® procedure is non-surgical and treatment time may vary. During a consultation, the doctor and patient will choose the area to be treated. The doctor will mark the area and cover it with gel pads to protect the skin. They will then place an applicator on the patient’s skin, and it will induce cryolipolysis or fat-freezing.
The patient will experience intense cold at first, but they will soon become numb during the procedure. Afterward, the patient may immediately resume their normal activities. There is no downtime associated with CoolSculpting®.
Each session may eliminate about 20 percent of the fat cells in the treatment area. Most patients start to see results three or four weeks after a treatment session, but the full results may become apparent a month after treatment. The body will continue eliminating fat cells for up to four to six months after treatment.
Does CoolSculpting® cause any side effects?
Some patients may experience pain, bruising, redness, numbness, stinging or skin sensitivity after a session. While these effects typically soon fade, the doctor can prescribe a topical anesthetic or oral medication if needed. CoolSculpting® does not affect skin color or skin tone, and it does not cause any rippling or dimpling.
Who is a good candidate for CoolSculpting®?
The ideal candidate will be a healthy adult who is of normal weight but has fat that has resisted diet and exercise. The effects of the procedure on people under 18 have not yet been studied.
CoolSculpting® is not a weight loss technique. It is also not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. People with skin disorders or hernias in the treatment area are not good candidates. People suffering from chronic pain, lymph system disorders or some auto-immune disorders should not undergo CoolSculpting®. People who have undergone other types of body sculpting procedures within the past 12 months should not undergo CoolSculpting®.
Contact Cosmetic Plastic Surgery of Maryland today to schedule an appointment and see if CoolSculpting® will benefit your needs.
