What is Cool Sculpting fat removal?
Cool sculpting (also known as ‘fat freezing’) is a non-invasive cosmetic procedure that removes fat from ‘problem areas’, without surgery, anaesthesia or downtime.
This innovative “fat freeze” cosmetic procedure involves exposing fat cells to low temperatures and is based on science developed by Harvard University researchers. During the treatment, stubborn fat cells are crystallised, destroyed and removed naturally by your body’s immune system.
Both Cool Sculpt and Ultra Shape, and a number of lesser-known machines, do this. Ultra Shape uses ultrasound waves while Cool Sculpt uses cold energy under the skin, to explode the fat cells without damaging the skin. Body fat sits in fat cells, and we inherit our natural distribution of these. Many people have inherited a bulge, fatty deposit or a body shape, which isn't entirely to their liking. Despite regular exercise and healthy eating helping them stay at a healthy weight, the fat bulges don’t move.
Fat cells do not divide. Overweight people have the same number of fat cells as thin people, however their fat cells are bigger and can keep growing in size indefinitely. When a fat cell is exploded via Cool Sculpt, the fat in will be absorbed into the blood stream, excreted or taken up by the liver and used as energy. In most patients, the dead fat cells are eliminated over a period of 4 to 12 weeks.
How does Cool Sculpting work?
It is important to note that Cool Sculpting is only effective for removing small areas of fat, including small bulges. If you a large body area that needs to be treated, your Cosmetic Surgeon may advise that you have liposuction, liposculpture, tumescent liposuction or vaser liposuction.
For the right person, because there is no anaesthesia, scarring or downtime, cool sculpting is an appealing option.
As technology advances, it is possible that in the future these types of machines may be able to overtake surgical methods of fat removal like liposuction. While there have been some concerns raised about the possible cardiac risk of Cool Sculpting, so far this has not become an issue. As 'fat cell explosion' techniques improve, research will be needed to ensure it remains safe for your heart and arteries.
Who is Cool Sculpting for?
The best candidates for Cool Sculpting non-invasive fat removal are those with 'spot fat' areas of a small volume. In terms of cost, treating larger areas would take many separate repeated treatments. These repeated treatments can be more expensive than other cosmetic treatments. If you have a large amount of fat to remove, your Cosmetic Surgeon may suggest you have a liposuction procedure.
How is Cool Sculpting performed?
Cool Sculpting targets then destroys fat cells beneath your skin in precise areas of your body. When these fat cells are exposed to cooling they crystallise which prompts them to naturally become crystallised. This process generates the fat cells natural cell death. Over a period of 4 to 12 weeks, your body will then naturally process and eliminate the dead fat cells.
Most Cool Sculpting procedures are performed as a ‘walk-in, walk-out’ procedure by a fully trained clinician or nurse; it will take from 60 to 90 minutes with most patients experiencing mild, but not severe pain. During Cool Sculpting treatments, many patients read, watch a movie or even check their social media accounts. Before your Cool Sculpting it is important that you have a consultation with a Cosmetic Surgeon. Your treatment plan can then be tailored for your condition.
When you arrive for your procedure, a member of your Cosmetic Surgeon’s team will review and mark the areas that will be treated. A protective gel pad will then be placed on the surface of your skin. This allows the Cool Sculpting applicator to penetrate the treatment area. Most patients do not feel excessive pain, however, it is important to note that you will feel some suction and pressure and suction for the first few minutes of the Cool Sculpting treatment. After that, the targeted area becomes numb because it is cold. Once your Cool Sculpting procedure has been completed, the treated area will be red. Because there is no downtime with this procedure, you will be able to resume your normal daily activities.
While most patients get outstanding results from 1 treatment, some patients choose to have multiple treatments in the same area. The 2nd treatment in the same body area can be done 1 week after your first treatment. Any following Cool Sculpting treatments need to be spaced at 1 week apart. It’s important to note you can have more than one body area treated on the same day.
What areas of the body can be treated with Cool Sculpting?
Cool Sculpting is an effective non-surgical cosmetic treatment to target excess fat around your:
- Waist,
- Abdomen
- Inner and outer thighs
- Love handles
- Back
- Arms
- Chin and neck
- Knees and ankles
- Sides of body including ‘bra fat’.
With no incisions, need for anaesthesia or skin damage, most Cool Sculpting patients report that the procedure is not painful. During the treatment, you may feel tugging, deep pulling, slight discomfort and mild numbness. Once the cooling begins, you will pressure and intense cold; this will decrease quickly. Patients who experience minimal swelling or mild tenderness find this does not last very long.
Are there any risks or complications with Cool Sculpting?
The risks and complications of Cool Sculpting will vary from person to person. When Cool Sculpting is performed with a highly trained and experienced Cosmetic Surgeon and their team, it is usually safe. Patients report that pain can be challenging when the abdominal area is treated with Cool Sculpting. In the even this occurs, your Cosmetic Surgeon will be able to prescribe the appropriate pain medication.
Typical side effects of Cool Sculpting, that are usually temporary and resolve quickly include:
- Redness,
- Minor bruising,
- Tingling, and
- Numbness and/or discomfort in the treated area.
Key facts about cool sculpting:
- The number of Cool Sculpting sessions you need will depend on the results you desire. Your Cosmetic Surgeon will be able to tailor your session for your body, goals and budget.
- The Cool Sculpting procedure focuses beams of energy under your skin to explode the fat cells without damaging the skin. This results in a shrinking of the area. This non-Invasive treatment freezes your fat cells, so they die, are naturally processed and then removed from the body.
- Most Cool Sculpting patients will achieve an average of a 20% fat reduction per area, per treatment.
- Results from Cool Sculpting are usually seen 3 weeks after the procedure, with the best results seen at around 3 months.
- The Cool Sculpting procedure can treat the abdomen, hips, waist, legs, back, arms, and double chins
- Patients can experience slight redness in the treated area and have very mild discomfort for a few hours. This is usually minimal with most patients being able to go back to their daily activities immediately.
What are the results from a Cool Sculpting procedure?
After you have your cool sculpting procedure, you will be able to start seeing the changes and results in your body as quickly as 3 weeks. Once the treated fat cells are gone, they will be gone for good.
Optimal results will usually be seen 2 to 3 months after you’re treatment. It is important to note that your body will continue to flush out fat cells for 4 to 6 months after this procedure. You will typically see a 20 per cent visible reduction of fat in the treated area after one session of cool sculpting. However, to achieve optimal results, some patients choose to have a second round of treatment after 3 months. If you maintain a good diet, exercise regularly and don’t put on additional weight, the results from your cool sculpting procedure will be long-term. These results will continue to improve with additional cool sculpting treatments. The number of treatments you will need is dependent on your individual body characteristics and circumstances.
In the areas that have been treated, most Cool Sculpting patients report seeing a natural looking, noticeable reduction of up to 20% of visible fat in the treated area. While results Cool Sculpting can be seen within 30 days, it is important to note that optimal results are generally seen between 8 to 12 weeks. Because this cosmetic procedure is non-surgical, you should be able to resume normal activities and return to work immediately.
How to find the best Cosmetic Surgeons who perform Cool Sculpting procedures in Australia
Before you schedule your Cool Sculpting procedure we suggest you research and then have a few consultations with trained and experienced Cool Sculpting Cosmetic Surgeons After they review your medical history, it is important that you speak to them about their experience with this procedure. Looking at Cool Sculpting before and after photos from their clients is also helpful.
Important to know
So you can make an informed decision, your elected Cosmetic Surgeon will discuss the possible risks and/or complications associated with non-invasive Cool Sculpting fat removal.