Fat Cells Can Be Stubborn, But CoolSculpting in Sugar Land, TX, Is Designed to Outmaneuver Them.
Maybe over time, whether from a bit of neglect, pregnancy, or the aging process, you have a little extra weight around your midsection.
Perhaps you started exercising and eating right, and now you’re down to a weight you’re happy with, but you still have some belly, chin, or flank fat that’s impossible to target, no matter what you do.
Unfortunately, the fact is that some fat cells are simply stubborn by nature, and you can’t do crunches or eat your way to getting rid of them.
Luckily, when you feel like you’ve run out of solutions, there’s CoolSculpting that specifically targets this type of fat. Before you book a consultation for CoolSculpting in Sugar Land, TX, you’ll more than likely want to familiarize yourself with how it works, its safety, and what to expect during and after the treatment.
CoolSculpting freezes stubborn fat cells so your body can flush them out for good, with no surgery and no real downtime.
The Interesting History Behind CoolSculpting
Did you ever notice how hard fat on a steak gets when you refrigerate it? Does it feel harder than the muscle? This has to do with the fact that fat cells are more sensitive to cold than muscle cells. This is part of the science behind CoolSculpting. Fat cells will respond to the cold temperatures.
But this isn’t how this treatment was discovered. It actually started with kids enjoying ice pops. Researchers at Harvard took notice that children had dimples in their cheeks when they enjoyed frozen treats. Delving deeper into their findings, they discovered that fat cells respond differently to cold than the surrounding tissue does. When the temperatures are cold enough, they can damage and destroy fat cells, but they do not harm the surrounding muscles, nerves, or skin.
What Exactly Is CoolSculpting?
While researchers discovered the effects cold had on fat cells almost by accident, CoolSculpting was created by Dr. Dieter Manstein and Dr. Rox Anderson with careful consideration. In 2010, the treatment received its first FDA clearance for the treatment of fat on the flanks that didn’t respond to diet and exercise. It was later cleared for treating fat cells in the abdomen, thighs, under the chin, and on the upper arms.
It’s a non-surgical treatment that uses controlled cooling directed at specific areas of the body with excess fat that hasn’t responded to diet and exercise.
The treatment uses a special applicator that pulls and holds the target area between two cooling panels. The fat cells freeze during the treatment. And since these cells die at higher temperatures than the skin and muscle cells, it only harms the cells you want to remove.
Interestingly, it’s a permanent way to get rid of fat cells because once they die, they won’t regenerate. Instead, the lymphatic system whisks the cells away and removes them from the body for good over the course of weeks to months. For this reason, you notice the results becoming more noticeable over time.
What Can You Expect During Treatment?
On the day of your treatment, you won’t have to designate much time to treatment. Generally, you show up, and the treatment takes between 35 minutes and an hour. On average, you’ll only need one to three treatments per area.
You’ll start the appointment by removing any clothing, jewelry, or accessories from the treatment area.
Dr. Shel will position the applicator on the area and activate it. You’ll feel a suction sensation when the tissue is pulled between the cooling plates. During the first several minutes of your treatment, you may experience a pinching or tugging feeling. You might also feel intense cold.
Those are quickly fleeting feelings because the discomfort dissipates as the area goes numb. At this point, you could nap through the rest of the treatment if you really wanted to.
Are You a Good Candidate?
CoolSculpting isn’t a weight-loss treatment. It accomplishes the goal of removing small amounts of fat, making it an ideal solution for people who are close to their target weight. Think of it as a finishing touch rather than a starting point.
As Dr. Shel evaluates you, she’ll check to see that you’re in overall good health, have realistic expectations, and want help with small areas, not a complete body transformation.
Is CoolSculpting Safe?
Yes, CoolSculpting has been on the market for over a decade and has a strong safety record. It doesn’t require any needles or incisions, and it won’t cause any scarring, which makes it an appealing option for many.
The treatment isn’t known to cause many side effects. The ones it does cause are mild and temporary and include redness, swelling, tingling, numbness, and minor bruising in the treated area. These typically resolve within a few days to a couple of weeks.
Although it isn’t common, paradoxical adipose hyperplasia has been reported. With this condition, the fat cells do the opposite of what they’re supposed to. Instead of shrinking, they enlarge.
Patients with cold-related conditions like Raynaud’s disease or cryoglobulinemia aren’t good candidates. We’ll help you find an alternative treatment that is safe for you.
What Can You Expect After?
You might feel sore or have tingling or aching in the area. Think of it as working out. Your body has gone through something and needs a little time to recoup, just like with exercise.
You can make post-treatment more comfortable and optimize your results by doing the following:
- Stay hydrated because your lymphatic system is mostly water and needs the fluid to carry away the fat cells.
- Support your body’s natural cellular elimination process by lightly massaging the area.
- Ensure comfort by wearing comfortable, non-restrictive clothing for the first day or two.
- Continue regular exercise and eating healthy to maintain your results.
If you’re looking for immediate results, CoolSculpting might not be the best option for you. The changes happen over time, with most patients starting to see results at about three weeks. Full results usually take between four and six months. That’s because your body will continue to process and remove the treated fat cells.
How Long Will the Results Last?
Although you might be sold on what we’ve said already, one part tends to stand out more than others. The fat cells are removed permanently, never to return. Any remaining fat cells, however, can increase in size if you gain weight later on.
Look Toward an Innovative Way to Body Contour With CoolSculpting in Sugar Land, TX
If you’ve been curious about CoolSculpting in Sugar Land, TX, and want to know whether it makes sense for your goals, reach out for an appointment.
Dr. Shel and our team will take a look at your problem areas, answer your questions honestly, and help you figure out whether CoolSculpting or another approach entirely is the better path forward for you.
Dr. Shel Wellness & Aesthetic Center also offer complementary options like Emsculpt Neo, for muscle toning and body contouring, if you’re looking to address more than just stubborn fat. We offer weight loss treatments like semaglutide as well.
Check out our reviews to see what other patients have experienced with us.
Book a consultation today by calling (281) 313-7453, and let’s talk about getting you the results you’ve been working toward.
