CoolSculpting 101: What You Need To Know About This Noninvasive Fat Loss Procedure

While liposuction has dominated the fat removal industry for decades, recently new technologies have allowed non-surgical and non-invasive, yet highly effective, fat reduction treatments for less cost and a shorter recovery time.

While no aesthetic treatment can replace the many benefits of going to the gym, gyms at the start of the year can be super crowded and crunches can be super tedious (let’s not ignore the unfortunate “abs under flab” phenomenon). The new year calls for a fresh way to get rid of fat. Instead of trying to burn fat, it’s time to freeze fat away…for good.

CoolSculpting® in The Woodlands at Medical Aesthetics & Laser is a revolutionary way to freeze and kill fat cells to help you get the lean body you’ve been wanting. Our medical professionals have performed countless successful CoolSculpting procedures.

To get you one step closer to your dream body, here’s everything you need to know about CoolSculpting before you schedule an appointment (and you’ll definitely want to).

LET’S TALK ABOUT CRYOLIPOLYSIS

Years ago, scientists at Harvard University discovered cryolipolysis entirely by accident. They observed that some children who frequently ate popsicles experienced a loss of fat cells in their cheeks over time, sometimes even resulting in dimples. The scientists—Dieter Manstein, MD and R. Rox Anderson, MD—realized that the popsicles were freezing and eliminating small pockets of fat cells.

The idea that cold can target fat cells—without damaging the skin or surrounding tissue—was the insight behind cryolipolysis, the proven science on which they based the CoolSculpting procedure.

Using this science, they patented a new technology to perform a similar, more targeted cooling procedure on different areas of the body, and obtained FDA clearance on their CoolSculpting machine in 2016.

WHAT IS COOLSCULPTING?

Now that you know the history, CoolSculpting is an FDA-cleared cryolipolysis treatment, a specific technique of lipolysis (the destruction of fat cells) that uses the process of freezing individual fat cells to reduce or entirely shed problem areas, such as stubborn pockets of fat that are resistant to diet and exercise.

Sound too good to be true? Believe us, it’s real! And it’s completely non-invasive!

CoolSculpting at Medical Aesthetics & Laser in The Woodlands, TX can be used on a variety of areas of the body, including:

• Under the chin
• Love handles
• Back rolls
• Under the bra
• Inner & outer thighs
• Hips
• Arms
• Abdomen
• Buttocks
• And more

HOW DOES COOLSCULPTING WORK?

We go through life with the same number of fat cells; typically, this number is set during our adolescence. Over time, as we intake calories, age, and go through other biological processes (such as pregnancy or menopause), these fat cells expand and change our outer appearance.

More than 6 million CoolSculpting fat loss treatments have been performed nationwide. But how does it work?
Losing weight versus losing fat cells
Losing weight does not eliminate fat cells. When we diet and exercise, these fat cells become smaller; however, the actual number of cells does not change. Even those living a healthy lifestyle may have stubborn areas of excess fat unaffected by diet or exercise, no matter how many sit-ups or squats they do.

This is where the CoolSculpting non-invasive fat loss procedure in The Woodlands at Medical Aesthetics & Laser comes in. Rather than the “shrinking” process that normally occurs during regular diet and exercise, CoolSculpting ensures the elimination of fat cells altogether. While this loss of fat cells does not contribute to “weight loss” in the sense that the number you see on a scale would not be affected, it means looking and feeling slimmer in your own clothes.

For more information on weight loss versus fat cell loss, check out the official CoolSculpting website.

WHAT TO EXPECT ON YOUR COOLSCULPTING JOURNEY

Fat cells are more susceptible to temperature changes (more so than our muscles, skin, and nerves) which makes controlled “freezing” a perfect procedure to isolate and eliminate these cells.

The team at Medical Aesthetics & Laser here to help clarify the CoolSculpting process so our clients in The Woodlands better understand how CoolSculpting may help them resolve stubborn areas of fat once and for all.

Before your appointment: Consultation + Treatment Plan
Our aestheticians will help you create an individualized plan based on your specific goals and target treatment areas. Many clients have one or two spots they have always been self-conscious about, but have been otherwise unsuccessful at sculpting or reducing.

Your Medical Aesthetics & Laser specialist will listen to your wants, needs, and concerns, and tailor a plan that will work to achieve your ideal body sculpting goals. This may mean using multiple applicators at once, or setting up a timeline for multiple treatments.

The day of your appointment
Before your treatment, the experts at Medical Aesthetics & Laser will walk you through the process and what to expect, including how much discomfort you can expect for your particular treatment and when you will see results. Then your aesthetician will mark the exact placement of the device.

Step 1: Placing the Gel Sheet
After we determine exactly what area(s) to treat, your CoolSculpting provider will place a gel sheet over the treatment area to protect the skin from the cooling technology. This gel sheet allows efficient and effective CoolSculpting without damage to the skin.

Step 2: Activating the Device
Once the gel sheet is in place, your aesthetician will place the device and its suction cup over the previously marked areas. This cup provides a suction motion in order to draw the undesired fat cells away from your body and apply cooling panels to the treatment area.

Step 3: Fat Freezing!
The fat freezing process will take 35 to 75 minutes, depending on the size of the area of treatment. At the start of the treatment, you may experience pressure or a cool tingling sensation. This normally disappears after a few minutes, as the area is numbed by the cool temperature of the device.

Many of our clients receive other aesthetic procedures during this time; others choose to read a book, watch TV, listen to music, or take a nap.

Step 4: Massaging the Area
Once the procedure is done and we have removed the device, your aesthetician will massage the treatment area to break up the damaged fat cells and relieve stiffness or firmness of the skin.

Step 5: Schedule a Follow-up Assessment
You might come in for a follow-up appointment after your procedure to ensure you have achieved the results you want and discuss next steps in your long-term health plan with a MAL specialist.

RISKS, RECOVERY, AND SIDE EFFECTS

CoolSculpting has produced no side effects outside of minor effects at the site of the procedure. Afterwards, the skin may be red, cold, numb, or tingling. However, these side effects resolve on their own after the procedure, though some clients may experience them for up to 2 or 3 weeks after the procedure.

There is no required downtime, so immediately following your treatment, you can walk out of our office and carry on with your regular daily activities!

RESULTS

When fat cells die, they go for good. This means that unless you were to gain weight, results of CoolSculpting should be long lasting, if not permanent. Most clients see changes and results to their treatment areas within 2-3 months after they receive a CoolSculpting treatment in The Woodlands at Medical Aesthetics & Laser.

We see many clients soon after the holidays to prepare for the summer months. CoolSculpting is the perfect way to feel prepared for upcoming events where you want to look your best and feel confident in your own skin.

• Graduations
• Weddings
• Galas
• And more

If you’ve got an important occasion on the books, be sure to visit MAL as early as possible to get a consultation and learn more about how CoolSculpting may be the perfect fit.

Overall, according to recent research, 79% of clients saw a positive difference in the way their clothes fit after receiving fat freezing treatments.

WHO IS A SUITABLE CANDIDATE FOR COOLSCULPTING IN THE WOODLANDS?

Both men and women are eligible to receive CoolSculpting at Medical Aesthetics & Laser. Men and women both carry unwanted fat; the benefit to cryolipolysis is that it can be applied to many areas.

Clients seeking CoolSculpting treatments should be in good health and within 30 pounds of their ideal weight.

You may not receive CoolSculpting if you experience any of the following conditions:

• Cryoglobulinemia
• Cold Agglutinin disease
• Paroxysmal Cold Hemoglobinuria
• More than 30 pounds over your ideal body weight

CAN I DO COOLSCULPTING AT HOME?

Honestly? You can try, but it won’t work. A lot of DIY cryolipolysis options involve ice or other frozen materials. You may think that applying something super cold to your skin will do the same thing, but cryolipolysis isn’t that simple.

Instead, you’re just freezing your skin…not your fat. Plus, trying it at home could lead to frostbite, numbness, and even permanent tissue damage (not good). It’s best to leave it to the professionals. That way you get significant results with little to no risk.

COME TO MEDICAL AESTHETICS & LASER FOR COOLSCULPTING IN THE WOODLANDS, TX!

At Medical Aesthetics & Laser, our CoolSculpting treatments go beyond our expertise. Our entire staff is dedicated to helping every single client look and feel their best every day.

Our services are more than skin deep. The relationships we build with every single client helps us understand their needs to better serve them; not to mention, we love meeting new people and hearing their stories!

Contact us or use our virtual consultation tool to tell us about your needs and schedule your consultation.

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