As leaders in the field of body contouring, Marmur Medical’s experts are excited about offering the revolutionary technology of CoolSculpting. Non-invasive CoolSculpting procedures eliminate stubborn fat safely and effectively without surgery, needles, or recovery time. While no fat is physically extracted during CoolSculpting sessions, many patients are left wondering “does CoolSculpting really work,” or “what happens to the fat during CoolSculpting each session?”
At Marmur Medical, our experts explain the CoolSculpting process and answer your questions to help you determine whether you’re a candidate for CoolSculpting. They also answer that important question: what happens to the treated fat? During CoolSculpting fat removal treatments, the targeted fat is permanently destroyed through a process called cryolipolysis, but it takes some time for the body’s waste system to eliminate the fat and for the body to reveal its results.
What Exactly Is CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting is a non-invasive body contouring procedure that uses a process called cryolipolysis to eliminate unwanted fatty tissue with freezing temperatures. As an innovative fat reduction treatment, CoolSculpting is an effective method of addressing fat without the expense, lengthy recovery, or potential risks of surgical fat reduction treatments like liposuction.
CoolSculpting is a non-invasive, painless treatment that provides quick treatments—35 to 60 minutes per area, depending on the location, size, and number of treatment areas—and no downtime. It is an FDA-cleared procedure that targets diet- and exercise-resistant fat with long-lasting results.
At Marmur Medical, we offer DualSculpting, a faster, stronger body contouring method that utilizes two CoolSculpting devices to simultaneously treat multiple areas. CoolSculpting can treat many different areas to address the body as it changes throughout life. Marmur Medical is one of the few practices that offers CoolSmooth—a flat applicator that addresses a variety of areas of the body such as the thighs or even a post-pregnancy abdomen. With CoolSculpting, we often recommend CoolTone for muscle building.
Candidates for CoolSculpting
Good candidates for CoolSculpting are patients close to their ideal weight but who still have pockets of pinchable fat. Most patients require two to four treatments scheduled four to six weeks apart for optimal results. Final CoolSculpting results take three to six months after the last session. According to FDA studies, skin in treated areas continues to tighten for months after CoolSculpting treatments.
How Does CoolSculpting Target and Affect Fat Cells?
While CoolSculpting is not a weight loss treatment, it does target fat cells. Fat cells are more sensitive to cold than other tissues like skin or muscles. Without damaging these other tissues, CoolSculpting uses precisely controlled temperatures and suction to target and permanently destroy fat cells by exposing them to extremely cold temperatures.
During a CoolSculpting session, the applicators are positioned on the treatment areas. The devices use suction and extremely cold temperatures to target the pinchable fatty areas. The skin may sting but for a few minutes until the area becomes numb. Many patients enjoy reading, listening to music, watching videos, or even napping. Following the treatment, the applicators are removed, then our experts gently massage the area for several minutes.
Under CoolSculpting’s controlled cooling, fat cells freeze and expand, bursting the cell walls. When frozen fat cells thaw with natural body heat, the fat becomes liquified. This liquid is then absorbed by the body and excreted through the waste systems.
What’s the Difference Between Losing Weight and Removing Fat Cells?
The body stores fat in three different ways: essential, subcutaneous, and visceral. Essential fat is required for heathy body functions, regulating hormones, and protecting the organs. Subcutaneous fat is stored under the skin—the pinchable fat. Visceral fat, or “belly fat,” is stored deep inside the core around the organs and can increase health risks, including heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
To lose weight, it’s important to target visceral fat through diet and exercise. A regular exercise routine and healthy diet can keep visceral fat from returning. However, visceral fat does not respond to CoolSculpting.
In comparison, body contouring procedures, including CoolSculpting, are not intended to significantly lower body weight. CoolSculpting treats subcutaneous fat rather than essential or visceral fat. It can remove 20 to 25% of the visible fat that you can pinch. However, this amount of fat eliminated through CoolSculpting won’t significantly affect your overall body weight.
Can Fat Return After CoolSculpting?
While the fat cells treated with CoolSculpting are permanently eliminated, not all fat cells are removed. After treatment, any subsequent weight gain can cause remaining fat cells to expand or stimulate the generation of new fat cells.
To preserve your New York CoolSculpting results for as long as possible, it’s critical things to avoid significant weight gain. Maintaining your healthy diet and participating in a consistent exercise program can help you sustain your ideal weight.
Is There a Limit to How Much Fat CoolSculpting Can Address?
Typically, CoolSculpting is used to address small pockets of fat. In small, localized regions, such as upper arms, knees, and calves, CoolSculpting can remove approximately 80% of fat cells. In comparison, CoolSculpting eliminates about 26% of fat cells from larger areas like the abdomen or thighs. To treat larger regions, you may need multiple sessions.
For patients who have too much fat, CoolSculpting results will not be as prominent with one session. We typically recommend waiting until you are within 10 pounds of your goal weight before beginning your CoolSculpting sessions.
What Areas of the Body Can CoolSculpting Treat?
CoolSculpting can help address pockets of fat in different areas of the body at different stages of life as your needs and body continuously changes. It is commonly used to reduce excess subcutaneous fat across the body, including:
- Under the chin
- Upper arms
- Abdomen
- Waist and flanks
- Bra bulges
- Back
- Buttocks
- Thighs
- Hips
- Knees
- Enlarged male breasts (gynecomastia)
How Soon Can You See Results After Treatment?
CoolSculpting results do not appear immediately. Following treatment, the fat flushing process to remove the frozen fat cells from the body can take one to three months or more. However, you may begin seeing initial improvements to the appearance of the treated area or areas in approximately three weeks.
Schedule Your CoolSculpting Consultation at Marmur Medical Today!
At Marmur Medical, our expert team is passionate about providing the most innovative and effective treatments to help our patients achieve their body contouring goals. We look forward to your scheduled consultation to determine whether CoolSculpting may be an effective solution for you.Contact Marmur Medical online or by calling (212) 996-6900 today to partner with one of New York’s best CoolSculpting providers.