CoolSculpting can be one effective way to tackle stubborn fat, offering a focused approach to shaping your body. This technique is especially useful in addressing areas less responsive to traditional methods like diet and exercise. At Chetco Medical and Aesthetics in Brookings, OR, we can use CoolSculpting to help you with your body sculpting aims. Under the right conditions and guidance, CoolSculpting can be a long-lasting solution to unwanted fat, and we are here to provide the support you need.
What Is CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting is a non-invasive technique that uses controlled cooling to target fat cells, causing them to crystallize and eventually be eliminated by the body’s natural processes. This method is distinct in its approach, focusing precisely on selected areas for fat reduction without surgical intervention. The process offers a practical and convenient option for those seeking to refine their body contours.
What Are the Benefits of CoolSculpting?
Non-Invasive Treatment
CoolSculpting distinguishes itself by being a non-surgical method to reduce fat. This eliminates risks and downtime commonly associated with surgical procedures. The treatment can directly target fat cells from outside the body for minimal physical intrusion.
Targeted Fat Reduction
Unlike traditional fat loss methods, CoolSculpting offers precision in fat reduction. It allows for the selective targeting of specific areas, effectively sculpting the body where needed. While exercise reduces fat uniformly throughout the body, CoolSculpting enables you to focus on areas where you desire more noticeable results, without affecting other body parts.
No Downtime
CoolSculpting is convenient, requiring no recovery period. Patients can resume most of their usual activities following the treatment. Anyone who wants to see significant results without taking time away from their duties and recreational activities can be a good candidate for this treatment.
Smooth, Natural-Looking Results
One of the many CoolSculpting benefits is the achievement of smooth, natural-looking outcomes. The process gradually reduces fat layers for a more subtle transition to your new body contours. Additionally, the absence of scars or surgical marks can contribute to a more natural appearance post-treatment.
How Does CoolSculpting Reduce Fat?
CoolSculpting uses fat freezing, a process where fat cells are exposed to extreme cold. This exposure causes the fat cells to crystalize and eventually break down, a process also known as apoptosis. The key here is the selective targeting of fat cells, which are more susceptible to cold than surrounding tissues. Once the fat cells have died, the body metabolizes them, flushing them out naturally over several weeks.
Are CoolSculpting Results Permanent?
The results of CoolSculpting are largely permanent in the context of the treated fat cells. Once these cells are crystalized and broken down, they are gone for good. However, the remaining fat cells in the body can still expand or shrink, depending on overall body weight. Because of this, while the specific cells treated by CoolSculpting are permanently removed, overall body shape can still change with significant weight fluctuations.
What Can Influence the Longevity of CoolSculpting Results?
The durability of CoolSculpting results is influenced by several factors, including the body’s natural fat cell dynamics. Lifestyle and dietary habits play an important role in maintaining results. Consistent exercise and a balanced diet help prevent the expansion of the residual fat cells, preserving the sculpted appearance.
Age and skin elasticity also impact the results over time. As we age, our skin loses elasticity, which might affect how the treated areas look as the skin changes. Maintaining a healthy skincare routine can aid in preserving both skin quality and the results of the treatment.
Walking You Through Your First Treatment
Assessment and Treatment Planning
While you may be excited about your first CoolSculpting treatment, it’s important that we meet first to go over your aesthetic goals and examine the areas you want to target. We’ll also need to take a full medical history to make sure you’re a good candidate for the treatment. Once we have met with you, we can schedule your first treatment.
Marking the Treatment Areas
The first step of your treatment is to mark the targeted areas for CoolSculpting. This helps us to place the applicators right where they can be the most effective. We may also take before pictures during this time so that you can compare the results after your full course of treatment sessions.
Applying Gel Pad
A gel pad is applied to the marked areas during your CoolSculpting session. This pad acts as a barrier between your skin and the cooling applicator, providing comfort and protecting your skin from the freezing temperatures.
Positioning the Applicators
The CoolSculpting applicators are carefully positioned on the gel pad. Correct placement is important for effective fat reduction and to achieve the desired body contouring. The device will gently pull the tissue into the applicator and the treatment will begin.
Applying the Controlled Cooling
During your CoolSculpting treatment, you’ll feel a strong sensation of cold on the area. This can be uncomfortable at first and be accompanied by some tingling or cramping sensations. However, after a few minutes, the area usually becomes numb, reducing sensation. You are welcome to relax and read a book or check your emails on your phone.
Post-Cooling Massage
After the cooling phase, a massage is often performed on the treated areas. This helps to break down the crystallized fat cells and enhances the treatment’s effectiveness. This stage of the treatment only takes a few minutes but can make a difference in your results.
Post-Treatment Care
Post-treatment, we’ll guide you through the necessary care steps. While you may want to take it easy for a day or two, gentle physical activity can aid in quicker recovery and better results. You should also stay adequately hydrated after your treatment to help your body flush out the fat cells.
Follow-Up Appointments and Results
Subsequent follow-up appointments are arranged so we can monitor your CoolSculpting results. These sessions help to assess the progress and plan if additional treatments are needed for optimal outcomes. Additional CoolSculpting treatments can be scheduled, but you will need to wait at least a month between sessions.
Target Your Unwanted Fat With CoolSculpting
At Chetco Medical and Aesthetics, we offer CoolSculpting to our patients in Brookings, OR, who are seeking to refine their body contours. Our approach to this non-invasive treatment is comprehensive, focusing on the concerns that you want to address. We invite you to learn more about how this treatment can benefit you. For more information or to schedule a consultation, please contact us by filling out an online form or calling us at (541) 412-9800.