Is the treatment really worth it?
Coolsculpting is our tried and true method for non-invasive fat reduction. The CoolSculpting fat-freezing procedure is the only FDA-cleared,non-surgical fat-reduction treatment that uses controlled cooling to eliminate stubborn fat that resists all efforts through diet and exercise. The results are proven, noticeable, and lasting.
You know the stubborn areas: bra fat, muffin tops, and inner thighs. Those stubborn fat pockets that are impossible to smooth and lose no matter how much you diet and exercise.
At Mclean Dermatology and skincare center, we demo every device before deciding to incorporate it into our practice. If we can’t see the results, we don’t use it, period. From lasers to the products we put on our shelves, everything is tested and proven. We have seen so many success stories with our Coolsculpting patients, and really want to spread the word so others can experience the same success.
Is CoolSculpting safe?
Cryolipolysis has been performed hundreds of thousands of times, proving itself to be extremely safe. As a completely noninvasive procedure, CoolSculpting enjoys significantly reduced risks compared to other fat reduction techniques such as liposuction. There is no recovery time.
Is CoolSculpting Painful?
CoolSculpting is usually a pain free experience, with only these few mild side effects:
- Late onset pain; most commonly in the lower belly about 1 week after treatment. This is completely normal, and usually subsides in 3-5 days.
- Numbness extending beyond a week or so.
- Bruising from the device is usually completely absent or extremely mild, however, since the device utilizes suction, a “hickey” like effect can occur with more pronounced bruising, though this is uncommon.
How do I start?
Find out if you are a good candidate. Come into our office for a free consultation at any time! CoolSculpting is not a weight loss tool. It’s for those stubborn fat pockets that you’ve tried to get rid of without success. It is recommended that you should already be within about 25 pounds of your weight goal before undergoing the procedure. To be the most effective, you’ll also need enough pliable fat that can be manipulated by the handpiece of the CoolSculpting device (but don’t worry, the handpiece comes in several sizes). The number of your fat cells can be reduced by about 20-30% in one treatment. That can definitely make a visible improvement. However, most patients usually need about three treatments to achieve their aesthetic goals. During your consultation, you’ll be able to get a better idea of how many treatments you’ll need.
Before Treatment
Get comfortable!
Being comfortable helps ease the mind and body before any procedure, and making sure you have the most appropriate clothing is one of the easiest ways to stay comfortable. On the day of your treatment you should wear loose fitting clothing. You should also wear inexpensive undergarments and consider bringing an extra set to change into. A gel is applied between the CoolSculpting applicator and your skin, so it might get your clothes wet.
Bring work or be entertained!
Depending on the specifics of your treatment, each session can last several hours — during which all you’ll need to do is lie there, doing absolutely nothing. If nothing doesn’t appeal to you, then consider it a perfect time to play catch up on work, email, your favorite TV shows or whatever else you can do on your phone, laptop or tablet. At Mclean Dermatology, we also have a TV in our treatment room that offers a Netflix account. Some patients even feel comfortable enough to get some beauty sleep.
Overall, there is very little that you need to do to prepare for your treatment when compared to more invasive surgical procedures. In fact, it’s not unheard of for people to come in for a consultation, and stay for a treatment right there on the same day. Just try to make yourself as comfortable as possible in order to have the best experience.
Day of Treatment
You’ll be shown to our private treatment room where you’ll remove your clothing from the area about to be treated. You’ll be photographed for documentation purposes and your skin will be marked to best guide the CoolSculpting device. At this point in the process you will just sit, get comfortable, and relax. When you’re ready to begin, a gel barrier will be placed over the area to be treated. This gel layer is a thin membrane that varies in size depending on the target area. Next, the actual CoolSculpting applicator is applied directly over the gel. Most applicators use vacuum pressure to draw the specified area up and between a pair of cooling pads. Once the suction is secure, the cooling process begins. With precisely controlled cooling, the pads lower the tissue to near freezing temperatures. This low temperature has been proven to specifically target and destroy fat cells, while leaving the surrounding skin and muscle tissues unharmed. The optimal temperature is 4°C. Through this perfectly natural process the fat cells in the affected area crystallize, die, release their stores of fat, and are removed by your own body over time, just like any other dead or damaged cells. When the cooling portion of the treatment is complete, the area is massaged for a few moments, and then you’re done!
At the end of your treatment, don’t be surprised if you can actually feel the crystallized fat through your skin as well – patients often describe it as being like a “brick of butter”. You might also feel strange sensations in the treated area for a few minutes immediately afterward, like cramping, pressure and tightness, along with visible bruising and redness. These are all temporary.
You’ll be shown to our private treatment room where you’ll remove your clothing from the area about to be treated. You’ll be photographed for documentation purposes and your skin will be marked to best guide the CoolSculpting device. At this point in the process you will just sit, get comfortable, and relax. When you’re ready to begin, a gel barrier will be placed over the area to be treated. This gel layer is a thin membrane that varies in size depending on the target area. Next, the actual CoolSculpting applicator is applied directly over the gel. Most applicators use vacuum pressure to draw the specified area up and between a pair of cooling pads. Once the suction is secure, the cooling process begins. With precisely controlled cooling, the pads lower the tissue to near freezing temperatures. This low temperature has been proven to specifically target and destroy fat cells, while leaving the surrounding skin and muscle tissues unharmed. The optimal temperature is 4°C. Through this perfectly natural process the fat cells in the affected area crystallize, die, release their stores of fat, and are removed by your own body over time, just like any other dead or damaged cells. When the cooling portion of the treatment is complete, the area is massaged for a few moments, and then you’re done!
At the end of your treatment, don’t be surprised if you can actually feel the crystallized fat through your skin as well – patients often describe it as being like a “brick of butter”. You might also feel strange sensations in the treated area for a few minutes immediately afterward, like cramping, pressure and tightness, along with visible bruising and redness. These are all temporary.
After Treatment
There is no downtime after treatment. You’ll be able to eat and drink anything you want immediately, such as returning to work or attending an exercise class. There are absolutely no restrictions on physical activity whatsoever. In fact, exercising will help improve and maintain your results. Some people even schedule short treatment sessions over their lunch break. Patients are advised to follow up one month after a body area is treated for photos and further evaluation, or re-treatment.
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