The Long-Term Effects of CoolSculpting
In recent years, CoolSculpting has become one of the most popular body contouring procedures in the world of cosmetology. It is a highly effective med spa treatment for patients who are looking to remove stubborn pockets of fat from common problem areas. The process involves freezing and eliminating fat cells from these areas through non-surgical means. While the procedure is renowned for its positive results, patients may still have questions about what happens in the long term.
Naturally, most patients want to know how sustainable the outcomes are. While CoolSculpting’s freezing technique can create the desired contours, these patients want to know if there will be any tissue damage or adverse effects on their bodies.
The good news is that CoolSculpting does not result in any long-term negative effects. While it is normal for patients to feel some pain or soreness for the first few days after the treatment, these effects wear off quickly. Patients will be able to enjoy their new body shape without having to worry about future issues.
For those interested in CoolSculpting in San Jose, here are some considerations regarding its long-term effects.
A safe and effective treatment
Fat cells are the only part of the body that freeze at low temperatures. As such, the freezing effect of CoolSculpting will only affect those cells. The patient’s blood vessels, nerves, and skin are safe as they are water-based and will not freeze.
Beyond that, CoolSculpting med spa procedures do not cause the development of issues such as lumps or sagging skin. It was carefully designed to ensure that all tapering of the skin is subtle and not obvious to onlookers. Patients walk away looking tighter and smoother than they have in years.
Since its inception, a great deal of research has been done on CoolSculpting. With more than three million CoolSculpting procedures having been performed worldwide, researchers have had ample time and data to study the long-term effects of CoolSculpting treatments. As of yet, there are no findings to support the existence of any long-term adverse effects resulting from CoolSculpting treatments.
CoolSculpting is a highly unique procedure, as the body’s fat cells are frozen and eliminated permanently. Nonetheless, CoolSculpting is not a weight loss treatment and will not achieve the same results as weight loss surgery. It is simply a treatment for fat reduction that results in a massive boost in better-defined contours and a smoother overall look.
Reliable results and the long-term effects
CoolSculpting is a treatment based on the principle of Cryolipolysis. In 2010, this treatment was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use on patients who are seeking a fat reduction in the flanks. It received approval for treatment of the abdomen in 2012, the thighs in 2014, and the submental region (double chin) in 2015.
Since its inception, Cryolipolysis has been one of the most popular non-surgical body contouring procedures available thanks to its reliability, remarkable results, sustainability, and easy procedure. There has even been testing carried out to demonstrate the efficacy and long-term effectiveness of the procedure. These tests were performed on two patients who received a single cryolipolysis flank treatment. Both of these patients maintained their fat reduction results for as long as five years after undergoing their CoolSculpting treatment.
Potential fat loss
CoolSculpting treatments utilize controlled cooling techniques to extract and remove small amounts of undesirable fat from the problem areas, such as the flanks (love handles). Fat cells are not able to survive in cold temperatures. As such, this treatment is able to eliminate approximately 20 to 25% of subcutaneous fat from the treatment area with every session. When undergoing multiple sessions, patients can see a large reduction in the fat content of their areas of concern.
Potential side effects
Like many cosmetic procedures, it is possible for patients to develop some mild and temporary side effects after undergoing a CoolSculpting session. Some of these effects may include mild pain, redness, inflammation, or bruising. That said, most of these effects will reduce in severity and fade away after a few days. If the side effects are difficult to deal with or persist for too long, the patient should notify their practitioner right away.
It is worth mentioning that there is a condition known as Paradoxical adipose hyperplasia. This incredibly rare and delayed CoolSculpting effect happens to only 1 out of every 20,000 patients. It is characterized by the development of adipose tissue (excess body fat) in the treatment site anywhere from two to five months after the initial treatment. While this condition is unlikely to occur, it is still a good idea for patients to be aware of it when going forward.
What is the takeaway?
Overall, the results from CoolSculpting have a great track record of longevity. Most patients are able to enjoy their new body contours for many years to come. While there is the potential for some side effects, they are mostly temporary and don’t have much of an impact on the patient’s life.