CoolSculpting body contouring, also know as Fat Freezing, is certainly not a new technology in the industry, but this non-invasive aesthetic treatment is one of my favourites, and it really, really works! Having been through my own body transformation, I had some sculpting treatments done myself and completely fell in love with the process. So much so, that I became the first practitioner in the UK to attend CoolSculpting University in California. I just loved the idea of helping people achieve the results they were after in a visible, relatively quick and measurable way.
You can use this procedure on 9 body parts, the most popular areas being the stomach and ‘love handles’. Areas that can be treated include:
CoolSculpting body contouring is a great option for fine-tuning those stubborn areas of fat that aren’t easy to get rid of through normal exercise and healthy eating. There are even mini CoolSculpting applicators designed for treatments under the chin so that the process can be targeted even more precisely and safely.
Coolsculpting, medically known as Cryolipolysis, was developed by Harvard Scientists, and is a non-invasive way of contouring your body by freezing unwanted fat cells in stubborn areas, whilst keeping your healthy skin cells intact.
It was discovered after Harvard researchers noticed that children who ate ice lollies growing up developed dimples. The frozen treats were freezing fat cells in their cheeks and causing their skin to form to the new contour. Say hello to CoolSculpting!
The CoolSculpting device uses cooling panels, available in a variety of sizes so you’re able to target different areas. The device is placed on your body and then the area is suctioned, like a vacuum, before beginning a controlled cooling process between two panels. Once the fat cells have been frozen, the body’s natural processes begin to eliminate the cells as they are metabolised, before being excreted via the lymphatic system. The best news is, the results are permanent – once they’re gone, they’re gone!
Patients really appreciate that they’re able to contour their bodies without having to undergo surgery and a lengthy recovery time. There’s no harm to the surrounding nerves or skin, no pain and no downtime. After your treatment you can simply continue with your day.
You only need to Google CoolSculpting to find an influx of positive reviews and articles endorsing the treatment. It has the science and clinical research to back it up, it was approved by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) in 2010, and it’s becoming more popular, even among celebrities such as the Kardashians, Mariah Carey and Jennifer Aniston to name a few.
This year, Lisa Snowdon became the UK ambassador for CoolSculpting and has been sharing her personal story with the world. She says “CoolSculpting has worked for me and it’s given me more confidence in my body. When I find something that works, I just love to tell people all about it” .
As the cooling begins, during the first few minutes you will feel a firm pressure or tugging, enough to ensure the selected tissue is being treated most efficiently, as well as an intense cold. This feeling soon disperses as the area becomes numb. Many people will bring along a book or magazine to read, work on their laptop, or even take a nap during their CoolSculpting treatment. As a qualified Psychiatrist, I’m also very good at the art of distraction, helping to minimise discomfort.
Once the treatment time is up, we remove the panels and begin a short massage of the areas to bring back circulation. This part can feel a little strange, after all it has been frozen. After the treatment, the area may feel a little tender or swollen but not inhibiting, so you’ll be able to continue with your day. It is entirely normal to feel cramping or bruising in the days following, but if you’re concerned simply get in touch with your doctor.
The CoolSculpting body contouring treatment takes approximately 35 to 60 minutes, depending on which areas are being treated. Afterwards you’re able to continue with your day as normal.
Patience is important. It’s hard not to want to see an immediate difference when you leave the clinic, but fat cannot magically disappear – we haven’t quite discovered the treatment for that yet! After just one treatment, in the weeks and months that follow your CoolSculpting session, you can expect to see the changes in the treated area, sometimes as soon as three weeks after your appointment. The most drastic results are visible usually between eight to twelve weeks after, but your body will continue to flush out the dead fat cells for up to four to six months. Results vary for each individual, but patients can experience 20-25% fat reduction in the treated area. The results are permanent, though some people do choose to have additional sessions to improve the results further, particularly for larger areas such as the stomach. As with anything, the more you do, the more results you’ll see.
It’s important to note that the body sculpting work that I do needs to go hand in hand with what the patient does towards their own nutrition and healthy habits. I’ve always seen my role in each patient’s journey as a supportive one and I love what I do, but body contouring is not a quick fix for bad habits and should not be considered as a form of weight loss or a way to tighten excess skin. The fat that died isn’t coming back, but if you gain weight, new fat will grow and potentially in the area you had treated. Continuing with your own exercise routine and following a nutritional diet is important to achieve and maintain the best possible results.
