CoolSculpting, or cryolipolysis, is a cosmetic technique used to reduce fat from specific areas of the body. It works by removing fat cells from certain areas of the body by freezing them. Similarly to liposuction, plastic surgeons and other therapists use CoolSculpting to target parts of the body where diet and exercise are ineffective in removing fat. It is a common treatment for people who want to get rid of undesired yet stubborn fat.
So are CoolSculpting patients generally satisfied with the procedure? Yes, as findings show that CoolSculpting has a high satisfaction rate especially among those who have undergone the treatment. CoolSculpting also has an equal percentage of patients who will likely suggest it to others.
CoolSculpting’s Satisfaction Rate
CoolSculpting is one of the most extensively studied treatments of fat removal. In reality, several non-invasive body contouring methods have not gotten the same thorough evaluations as CoolSculpting. To explore the safety and tolerance of the CoolSculpting method of fat removal, both the treatment’s developers and independent researchers conducted extensive research.
Zeltiq Aesthetics, the company that sells CoolSculpting devices, has also conducted clinical studies and published satisfaction statistics for each of the common treatment sites. CoolSculpting results for the belly received 62% satisfaction from patients examined, 93.3% for inner thigh treatment, 86.5% for outer thigh, and 83.3% happiness for the submental fat area or double chin.
Satisfaction Rates and Effects of CoolSculpting
Another study looked at a number of clinical outcomes after CoolSculpting. A total of 518 patients took part in the trial. The treatment’s side effects were monitored here. Patient tolerance and satisfaction were also assessed. CoolSculpting treatments were evaluated using a variety of approaches, including surveys, caliper measures, and before-and-after images.
According to the findings, 89% of patients who completed the poll had a favorable opinion of their CoolSculpting therapy. The CoolSculpting procedure was described as acceptable by 96% of those who received it. Over 80% stated they would recommend the surgery to friends and acquaintances in the future.
Apart from the satisfaction rates, the study also found that there were little to no severe side effects or problems reported among the participants. All safety parameters were met, and there were no difficulties with any of the CoolSculpting treatments after three months.
The study also discovered a 23% reduction in fat layer thickness three months after treatment. Almost 90% of all patients demonstrated a discernible improvement. The abdomen, lower back, and flanks were the locations that produced the best outcomes.
These findings suggest that when conducted by an expert provider, CoolSculpting is a very safe and effective treatment. A clinic with skilled staff will be ready to identify the appropriate individuals and set fair targets, providing the finest noninvasive fat elimination results. CoolSculpting should provide patients with a high level of satisfaction.
Does CoolSculpting Work
The aforementioned studies suggest that CoolSculpting has a high success rate. It’s excellent in removing fat deposits from the body, and has fewer negative effects than other operations like liposuction.
Keep in mind that even if this treatment can remove fat from specific locations, it’s not a miracle cure, and patients shouldn’t expect complete fat removal. The treatment won’t work for everyone, and some people may suffer from more severe adverse effects than others.
Other factors such as diet and lifestyle may also play a role. If a person continues to consume an unhealthy diet and remain inactive while receiving CoolSculpting, they should expect less visible results. Similarly, CoolSculpting won’t tighten loose skin. If the skin has stretched over fatty buildups, the treatment to remove the fat may result in excess skin.
What Other Research Says
CoolSculpting appears to be a somewhat safe and effective technique for eliminating some areas of fat, according to other research.
A review published in the journal Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery in 2015 examined 19 prior papers on cryolipolysis.
Researchers discovered that when fat loss was evaluated using a caliper, an instrument comparable to a ruler, participants lost an average of 14.67 to 28.5% of the fat in areas treated with cryolipolysis. People shed 10.3 to 25.5% of their body fat in the trials that used ultrasonography to quantify fat loss.
The authors discovered no significant health risks linked with the treatment. CoolSculpting had no effect on liver function or lipid levels, indicating that it is solely a cosmetic technique. Furthermore, freezing away fat without modifying one’s lifestyle may not help one’s overall health.
Meanwhile, according to a separate 2015 assessment published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, patients had an average fat reduction of 19.55%, based on 16 research papers.
What to Look Out For After Undergoing CoolSculpting
Because cryolipolysis is a non-invasive treatment; no cuts, anesthesia, or drugs that could induce an allergic reaction are required. This means that difficulties and adverse effects are less common compared with more intrusive procedures like liposuction.
Following the treatment, your body will naturally get rid of the fat cells when they are digested by the liver after the cells have crystallized and died. Remember that this treatment is not intended to be a weight loss solution, but rather a non-invasive technique to lower the amount of subcutaneous fat in resistant places.
Because the body takes time to clear dead cells, CoolSculpting outcomes are not instantaneous. Instead, the majority of patients will experience effects in as little as one month. Typically, the ultimate effects are seen three months after the treatment.
Despite the low likelihood of problems, patients should be cautious of adverse effects. Typically, these adverse effects are limited to localized reactions.
Side Effects to Note
Swelling, bruising, sensitivity, skin redness, and localized pain are all possible side effects of CoolSculpting.
According to a 2015 study, there were no significant problems such as bleeding, skin pigment changes, or scarring. In addition, a 2014 article describes a single case of paradoxical adipose hyperplasia after cryolipolysis.
According to the report, this problem is extremely rare, affecting only 0.005% of patients. People who suffer this unique adverse effect have a rise in fat cells, which can cause the treated area to bulge. Men and those of Latino or Hispanic heritage are more likely to have it than persons of other races.
Aftercare Tips
Because this is a non-invasive treatment, prescription pain medicines are usually not administered. There is also no anesthetic applied. However, if you experience pain or swelling after the treatment, your doctor may advise you to take over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers. You should not take any pain medicines prior to therapy since they can exacerbate side effects such as bruising.
A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, is another possibility. Ibuprofen offers the added benefit of treating both pain and inflammation, but it may not be suitable if you have a bleeding issue.
Following CoolSculpting, you can also employ non-medicated treatments like gentle exercise, warm compresses, massage therapy, and deep breathing exercises or meditation.
Alternatives to CoolSculpting
CoolSculpting may not be for everyone. Someone who wants to shrink or remove localized pockets of fatty tissue that persist after exercise and diet management is a good candidate for CoolSculpting and other cryolipolysis therapies.
Cryolipolysis therapies are also less effective in patients who are overweight or obese.
According to one study, optimal candidates for cryolipolysis treatments such as CoolSculpting should be people in good health, with no history of neurological or skeletal disorders, and normal kidney function.
For those unable to undergo CoolSculpting or prefer other treatments, here are some alternatives:
Traditional Liposuction
This is a little more intrusive procedure since incisions are performed in the body to install a lengthy suction tube. When all of this is going on, the patient is sedated. The tube then essentially sucks the fat cells out of the body.
Traditional liposuction functions similarly to a fat vacuum cleaner. The entire operation takes around two hours, and patients normally just require one appointment to complete everything. This is in contrast to CoolSculpting, where a patient must return for repeated appointments.
Patients can also go home after their procedure, eliminating the need for them to stay in the hospital overnight.
Liposuction is an extremely successful method of eliminating fat from specific parts of the body. Many people take it to lose persistent lower-belly fat or fat from beneath the arms.
Traditional liposuction is typically employed when someone is slightly overweight and needs some extra help getting rid of stubborn fat. It is also used by some persons who are excessively overweight. It’s also performed for medical reasons, such as when a person is so overweight that it is extremely unsafe for them to begin exercising unless some fat is removed.
Laser Liposuction
Laser liposuction is one of the least invasive fat reduction techniques available. A patient will be given a few small incisions that will only require a couple of stitches. Lasers are then used to melt away the fat cells in their abdomen.
The melted fat is then sucked out and eliminated from their system. During therapy, a patient is sedated and would not feel anything. As a result, you’ll get a physical look that’s significantly smoother with little to no pain or discomfort.
This technique is intended for persons who are already in their ideal weight range. It’s more of a finishing method for defining specific regions of the body. It can be utilized to assist bring out greater definition in their abdominal muscles, for example.
If a person is overweight, this operation isn’t for them. It’s only effective on persons who are no more than 25 pounds overweight. Consider it a last-minute therapy to target trouble areas that are holding onto stubborn fat cells. Patients often observe results within three months, indicating that it’s also fast-acting.
Try CoolSculpting Only at Ethos Spa
CoolSculpting has several advantages over conventional fat-reduction techniques. It’s a non-invasive process that leaves no scars behind. There’s also little to no downtime. Improvements may begin to appear within a few weeks, with the majority of people seeing full results within 6 months after their final treatment.
At Ethos Spa, we want our clients to achieve their dream body without having to worry about serious side effects or lengthy recovery times. Our highly-trained staff and licensed aestheticians are well-versed in CoolSculpting tools and techniques to help get the best results possible.
Visit Ethos Spa today or call us now to book an appointment.
Learn More: Why Can’t Lactating Women Undergo CoolSculpting