How Coolsculpting® Compares to Other Non-Surgical Fat Removal Options

Not too long ago, if you wanted to say goodbye to stubborn, unwanted fat, your only choice was to undergo surgical liposuction.

These days, a lot has changed. You now have multiple choices in non-surgical fat removal. From freezing fat to using lasers to melt it away, the question is no longer “can you get rid of unwanted fat?” but “how should you get rid of unwanted fat?”

For many patients, the answer is Coolsculpting®.

Coolsculpting®, a popular non-surgical cryolipolysis treatment that freezes the fat away, has become one of the hottest procedures in aesthetic medicine. Learn more about various non-surgical fat removal options and take a look at how they all compare to Coolsculpting®.

Fat Removal Methods

Several different methods exist for reducing or removing fat without the need for surgery. Those methods include:

• Freezing/cold temperatures. Years ago, researchers discovered that cold temperatures destroyed fat cells. They were then able to use this discovery to develop Coolsculpting®. During Coolsculpting® treatments, a special device exposes certain areas of the body to very cold temperatures, destroying the fat in those areas. The body then gradually eliminates the destroyed cells.
• Radiofrequency energy. Heat can also destroy fat cells. During fat removal treatments that use radiofrequency energy, the applicator is able to heat the fat in the target area, without causing damage to the surrounding skin or other tissue.
• Laser. In some ways, laser fat removal is similar to radiofrequency energy. Both use heat to destroy the fat cells. In the case of laser treatments, a laser targets the fat cells while leaving other areas unharmed.
• Injections. An injection of deoxycholic acid can help to remove unwanted fat. The acid destroys the fat cells, so that the body eventually flushes them out.

How Long Treatment Takes

It’s not just the method of fat removal that differs among non-surgical fat reduction options. The length of treatment can also differ. For example, a single treatment session with an injectable might only take a few minutes. Meanwhile, laser fat removal can take around 25 to 30 minutes. Coolsculpting® originally took about an hour per treatment are but new developments in the treatment method have reduced the treatment time to 35 to 45 minutes.

Areas That Can Be Treated

Not every non-surgical fat removal treatment can treat every area of the body. For example, injections to reduce fat are currently only FDA-approved for use in the under chin area. These injections are designed to resolve double chins.

Some laser fat removal treatments are currently only used to treat stubborn fat deposits in the abdominal area. Coolsculpting® can help to remove or reduce fat from multiple areas of the body. There are even different size and shapes of applicators designed for different parts of the body.

The Cool Mini is specifically designed for use under the chin, to help to eliminate or minimize a double chin. Other applicators are meant for use on the inner or outer thighs, the back, the abdomen or the upper arms.

How Many Treatments Are Needed

It’s fairly likely that you’ll need to schedule multiple treatment sessions of any non-surgical fat removal procedure to get optimal results. How many you’ll need depends on your overall goals. Some people are happy with the results they get after a single session of Coolsculpting®. Others find that two treatment sessions better provides them with the results they want.

For injections to minimize a double chin, most people need at least two sessions, spaced at least a month apart. Some patients need many more injections. Radiofrequency and laser fat removal options also usually require several treatments to get the results a patient is after.

Overall Results

The good news about all cosmetic fat removal options is that they permanently eliminate fat from the treated area. The bad news is that some are better at eliminating fat than others. For example, Coolsculpting® can remove up to 25 percent of unwanted fat from the target area. Other treatment options claim to remove an inch or two from the abdominal area, but also note that some people don’t notice much change at all.

Mirror Mirror Beauty Boutique in Houston, Texas, is proud to offer Coolsculpting®g as a non-surgical fat removal option. To learn more about the benefits of Coolsculpting®, call 281-810-9083 to schedule a consultation today.