Coolsculpting how does it work

But if you're considering going under the knife or needle, you deserve to be informed. In our series Life in Plastic , we're breaking down everything you need to know, from injectables to invasive treatments. Let's just get this out there: Procedures targeting fat are divisive. As the movement to reclaim the word fat —and abolish the stigma around it—grows, so too does the increasing interest in cosmetic procedures and injectables. The relationships we have with our bodies are complicated and rarely fall perfectly into one belief system.

It's no wonder then that Coolsculpting, an FDA-approved nonsurgical fat-freezing procedure, has become one of the most popular treatments people ask me about on social media. I've worked as an on-camera beauty expert for the past eight years, and while it's a misconception that everyone who gets procedures is hypercritical of their appearance or trying to adhere to idealistic beauty standards—I don't feel compelled to look "perfect"—the reality is I had a lot of curiosity around it.

I, like others, wanted to know whether fat freezing hurt, and mostly about the results. So when the opportunity to try Coolsculpting arose, I was willing to give it a go. And if it sculpted my body a little in the process? Scientifically known as cryolipolysis, the process involves using a vacuum-like applicator to suction targeted areas of fat.

Then it deep-freezes your fat cells, which eventually causes them to die and be naturally expelled via your lymphatic system. Yep, that's exactly as it sounds.

The caveat is that you have to have enough fat for the applicator to adhere to. Appointments are about 45 minutes long, and—at least in my experience—the procedure wasn't painful. The sensation when the applicator suctions on to your skin is extremely cold at first, but your skin numbs, almost like when your foot falls asleep. After they remove the machine, they quickly massage out the frozen area of fat, which most agree is the worst part.

Therefore, the fat in the area treated by CoolSculpting is lessened and will reduce in size raisin! Depending on the area being treated and your pain threshold, CoolSculpting is really comfortable but with a few peaks of ouchyness. The machine sort of like a hoover , with a specifically-sized nozzle attached to it depending on the area is strapped to you, and the fat is slightly sucked up into it.

When ELLE Beauty Editor Jennifer George tried the treatment on a stubborn pocket of fat on her lower abdomen this is where the brief but potent pain occurred. Feeling like the nerves are waking up again, there was a strong, almost stinging sensation, like an ice burn. However, this only lasted for about 15 seconds, and the doctor used clever distraction methods cold towels on the shins to deflect the pain receptors to make it more bearable.

No pain no gain people. Comfy trousers instead of tight jeans are recommended! CoolSculpting is one of the only ones that permanently destroys the affected cells. Providers typically use large applicators on the lower body, like the sides of the hips or flank area, as well as the abdomen. Small applicators will usually be used on the upper body and the smallest CoolSculpting applicator, the CoolMini, targets chin, armpit and bra line fat reduction.

More than one applicator may be used during treatment; For example, two large applicators might be utilized on the lower stomach region. Your provider often either a dermatologist or a technician at a medi-spa will start by applying a layer of protective gel to the treatable tissue in the desired area, and then attached the applicator to the area. Then comes the cooling action.

University of Rochester Medical Center dermatologist Mara Weinstein Velez explained that the applicator selectively targets fat cells by cooling to around degrees Celsius and does not affect blood vessels or the overlying skin. CoolSculpting sessions last around 35 to 45 minutes, depending on the size of the area being worked on, and fat will be flushed out through the lymphatic system to the liver and eliminated via stools.

Do I poop more? That can be a little painful, but it helps with the results. People who have had CoolSculpting procedures gone wrong complain of marks left behind from the applicators and areas looking enlarged after the process, known as paradoxical adipose hyperplasia PAH.

Results are not visible for at least four weeks, with the fat loss reaching its peak at around eight. Each [treatment] has a downtime, so you want at least six to eight weeks [between appointments]. Because this is a noninvasive procedure, the risks, comparatively speaking, are very low.

Contour irregularities can occur the same way they might in liposuction. While the CoolSculpting machine leaves less room for human error in terms of fat removal, it also has its limitations in terms of fine-tuning removal the way an artful plastic surgeon might by hand.