CoolSculpting, a non-invasive fat-reduction procedure, appeals to many people for its simplicity and other perks. Scroll below to find out whether or not it really works.
If you’re looking to shed excess body fat, you can take your pick from a dizzying array of diets, exercise regimens, supplements, and other products and services that promise to help. However, it is wise to have a healthy dose of skepticism when considering various options. As nice as it would be, there is no quick, easy fix for excess body fat.
As with any fat-loss procedure, it is smart to do your research before investing any of your money into something like CoolSculpting. While the procedure appears to produce effective results for many people, it isn’t right for everyone. Further, it is crucial to have realistic expectations. Can CoolSculpting instantly whip you into toned, muscular shape? Not exactly. What it can do is help you to shed stubborn body fat that won’t respond to diet or exercise.
What is CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting is billed as the “world’s #1 non-invasive fat-reduction treatment” in the world. While that certainly sounds promising, what exactly does it entail?
The science behind CoolSculpting appears to be solid. When exposed to extreme cold, fat cells in the body wither away and die before being expelled from the body. Scientists at Harvard first zeroed in on this phenomenon after noticing that kids who eat popsicles often develop dimples, As the cold treat repeatedly rubs against the inside of the mouth, underlying fat cells are slowly but surely killed off, revealing dimples.
The only FDA-cleared, fat-reducing, non-surgical treatment that uses controlled cooling, CoolSculpting can be used to target fat cells in several areas: the sides or flanks; the inner thighs; the outer thighs; the abdomen; double chins and the upper arms.
At an initial consultation, areas of stubborn fat are identified. During the procedure itself, a vacuum pulls fatty tissue into an applicator cup that applies gentle, controlled cooling to the targeted area. A gel pad is also used to gently protect the skin while delivering the level of coolness that is required to effectively kill underlying fat cells. The process is officially known as cryolipolysis, and it has been performed more than six million times around the world.
Who is it for?
Although CoolSculpting has been proven to be an effective, non-invasive way to reduce fat on the body, it isn’t a magic bullet — and it’s not right for everyone. A few of the most common characteristics of people who successfully undergo the procedure include:
They Are Men and Women
CoolSculpting is just as effective for men as it is for women. While women tend to store fat differently than men, the procedure can target problem areas that are common across both genders.
They Are Not Excessively Overweight
To really notice results from the CoolSculpting procedure, it helps to be within about 30 pounds of your ideal weight. It appears that if you are significantly overweight, the outward results of the procedure may not be as apparent.
They Have Stubborn Fat That is Resistant to Diet and Exercise
Typically, those who undergo CoolSculpting have tried shedding excess fat through diet and exercise. However, fat doesn’t “melt away” in a uniform manner. Even after losing weight or gaining muscle, you may be left with pockets of fat cells that simply won’t budge.
They Want to Avoid Invasive Procedures
Finally, suitable candidates for CoolSculpting want help shedding excess fat, but they don’t want to go under the knife. CoolSculpting is non-invasive, and no real downtime is required.
Why is it Popular?
Why is it that more than six million CoolSculpting procedures have been performed around the world? The treatment is popular for several reasons, including the following:
- No Preparation Needed: You don’t have to take any steps to prepare for the procedure. Just show up on your appointed day and time.
- Virtually No Pain or Discomfort: The CoolSculpting procedure is gentle and non-invasive. At the very most, you might experience mild discomfort during the procedure.
- Fat Is Naturally Eliminated from the Body: Unlike liposuction, which involves forcibly removing fat from the body, CoolSculpting lets the body’s natural processes take care of it. After being killed off by controlled cooling, fat cells are naturally eliminated from the body — and they can never return.
- No Anesthesia or Pain Medication Required: The procedure is so gentle that no anesthesia is needed — and you won’t need pain medication after, either.
- Noticeable Results: As long as you aren’t excessively overweight, you are likely to immediately notice the results of your CoolSculpting procedure.
Does it Work?
Put simply, CoolSculpting works. However, that doesn’t mean that it will produce the results that you want. The procedure has been proven to freeze or crystallize fat cells, which are then eliminated via the body’s natural processes. Those cells are eliminated for good. The question, however, is how many of those cells will be eliminated — and whether enough of them will be to make a noticeable difference for you.
The procedure reportedly reduces fat cells in targeted areas by 20 to 25 percent. Therefore, it does not and cannot remove every last speck of fat, and it isn’t interchangeable with something like liposuction. Still, for people who are within 30 pounds of their ideal body weight and who have otherwise exhausted other options to remove fat in specific areas of the body, CoolSculpting can indeed make a big difference. You can rest assured that this procedure does what it purports to do; whether it will help you to achieve your goals, however, isn’t quite as assured.
Should you consider undergoing the CoolSculpting procedure? Even if you believe that you are an ideal candidate, you should do additional research to learn more. From there, you can always schedule a consultation to see if it’s worth it for you.