CoolSculpting: The Complete Fat Freezing Guide

CoolSculpting and the fat freezing phenomenon have taken the world by storm.

As more and more individuals flock to non-invasive fat reduction treatments with localized fat reduction percentages of up to 25 percent, CoolSculpting stays in the popular consciousness because of it’s counterintuitive and bold process: freezing of fat and killing it permanently.

The History of CoolSculpting

CoolSculpting starts from humble origins. Originally, scientists noticed a peculiar and seemingly unimportant phenomenon: children who ate popsicles would form dimples. This phenomenon was actually called popsicle panniculitis.

From this stray observation, the two doctors at Harvard University realized that the cold was freezing and killings while leaving the cells around them undamaged. This process, called cryolipolysis, would revolutionize fat reduction.

All fat reduction treatments work on the basic principle that fat cells are more vulnerable to changes in temperature than the rest of the tissue in your body.

That means with either carefully regulated applications of cold or heat, individuals can kill fat cells permanently.

What Makes the CoolSculpting Process Different?

You might wonder what differentiates CoolSculpting from diet and exercise, or even the alternative fat reduction treatment of liposuction.

The difference is that CoolSculpting actually kills fat cells. This isn’t a semantic distinction. Diet and exercise in particular only reduce the size of fat cells, without actually killing them.

When fat cells are killed, your body metabolizes the cells. Once they pass through your lymphatic system, they’re gone forever. This is why it takes a few weeks for CoolSculpting results to fully show: your body is metabolizing the killed fat.

One of the biggest implications of this is that CoolSculpting can go a long way in body contouring that simple diet and exercise won’t. What you might not realize is that there’s no such thing as spot reduction when it comes to exercise. You can’t crunch fat off of your abs, at least not without reducing the fat content of your body globally.

Thus, individuals who are predisposed to deposit fat in certain areas of their body might find that they have love handles, a muffin top, or even double chin in spite of the fact that they lead healthy lifestyles.

CoolSculpting changes all that. By allowing localized pockets of fat to be targeted, CoolSculpting can contour your body into a new shape. But what’s even better is that because your fat distribution has been fundamentally changed, your new shape is resilient even to putting on weight.

Is CoolSculpting Right for Me?

Fundamentally, when comparing CoolSculpting to other fat reduction treatments, the main consideration for those thinking about CoolSculpting specifically is the invasiveness of the procedure.

CoolSculpting doesn’t just boast an extremely impressive fat reduction rate of up to 25 percent in a localized area. It also is a comfortable, safe and largely painless procedure that has no recovery time–just ask Khloe Kardashian.

In fact, the downtime is so marginal that individuals report going to the gym the very same day that they have a CoolSculpting treatment session.

If you’re interested in CoolSculpting, it’s recommended that you are within 25 pounds of your ideal weight before you undergo treatment. CoolSculpting works best in conjunction with a healthy life style that includes diet and exercise: it is not a replacement for these things.

Results can take from three weeks to three months to show. One of the complications of the procedure is asymmetry in fat reduction, which can be ironed out with additional treatment sessions. Ask your doctor beforehand how they would handle complications such as asymmetry or moderate pain after the procedure.

CoolSculpting is a seemingly miracle procedure that can change your life. If you want to know more about the process and getting your fat frozen, contact Washington DC’s CoolSculpting experts at Cultura to schedule your appointment today.

Dr. Eliot Battle

CEO & Founder at Cultura Dermatology & Plastic Surgery

Dr. Eliot Battle, CEO of Cultura Dermatology, is a global leader in cosmetic dermatology and laser innovation. His Harvard research pioneered “color-blind” lasers, making treatments safe for all skin tones. A sought-after expert featured in TIME, Oprah, and The New York Times, he continues to advance inclusive, cutting-edge dermatological care.