CoolSculpting: what it is, how it works and costs

CoolSculpting is a treatment used to reduce localized fat, especially on the hips, thighs and stomach. A painless and non-invasive method that allows the reduction of fat through the cold, without the need for anesthesia and convalescence. Here’s how it works and if there are any contraindications.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS of Drafting Woman

The CoolSculpting is a non-surgical fat reduction, non-invasive treatment, which helps to reduce the accumulation of fat localized on specific areas of the body such as hips, thighs, tummy, arms, using the cold and without resorting to invasive procedures such as liposuction or liposculpture. A painless method that is performed without the need for anesthesia and does not require a period of convalescence. Thanks to this treatment it is possible to remodel the silhouette, going to act on the obstinate fat: often, in fact, it is necessary to associate to diet and constant physical activity, targeted treatments to eliminate those bearings or that cutaneous relaxation that just does not go away. So let’s find out what CoolSculpting is, how it is done, what the costs are and if there are any contraindications.

Coolsculpting: how this treatment is born

The CoolSculpting treatment, developed by ZELTIQ and introduced in Italy by Allergan , is a method based on cryolipolysis , an extraordinary discovery of two American scientists, Dr. Dieter Manstein and Dr. R. Rox Anderson of the Wellman Center for Photomedicine of the Massachusetts General Hospital of Boston. Their first work has shown that the subcutaneous fat cells are more sensitive to the effect of cold, compared to the rest of the surrounding tissues: subjected to controlled cooling for a certain period of time, these fat cells tend to shrink, with no effect on the skin.

Coolsculpting: how long, results and costs

The sessions of CoolSculpting last one hour for each area to be treated. If you have to perform the treatment on the hips, for example, it will take two hours, one for each side. The indicative cost is 600 euros per session, then the specialist, after a first meeting, to establish a plan based on the needs and the area to be treated: the cost could therefore be reduced if the sessions to be performed will be more numerous. In some cases a single session is sufficient to obtain appreciable results, but from two to four weeks it is necessary to obtain visible results and 3 months of treatment to stabilize the results: the time the body needs to eliminate dead fat cells.

What is the Vanquish and how does it work?

Vanquish is a new device designed to supply energy to tissues without damaging the skin or other structures. The form of the energy is by means of a radio frequency or non-invasive RF which is distributed through real-time monitoring. This allows changes to be made during the treatment in a safe way, providing the right amount of energy to treat effectively and without undue risk or complication.

Vanquish offers selected energy without any risk of overheating the skin, muscles or deeper structures and is approved by the FDA for soft tissue heating. In Europe, Vanquish is used for this type of treatment as well as to treat adipose tissue. Here, the FDA has not yet approved the use of Vanquish for the treatment of adipose tissue.

Scientific research has shown that when the RF waves are heated, the fatty tissues produce an undulating movement that heats the cellular tissue during the treatment (as shown in the graphic above), this causes the fat cells to have a ‘ Apoptosis’ or cell death. Then, the non-fat cells are absorbed by the body which makes the contour begin to show changes by reducing the fat without touching the body!

To say that the use of radio frequency can get rid of body fat may sound like something out of a futuristic movie, but although it seems fiction this technology is already available because with Vanquish, the energy of radio frequencies distribute and eliminate fat without having to touch the skin.

How does it work?

Vanquish works by eliminating fat cells. Directs heat to deep tissues without the need for skin and muscle to be too hot. The Vanquish fat reduction treatment is done by monitoring the radio frequencies to obtain the right amount, which means that better results are achieved and risks are reduced. After the fat cells are eliminated, they are absorbed by the body

Which is the treatment?

It is a non-invasive procedure. Many people even consider it relaxing. You only have to remain motionless while the necessary energy is distributed. The treated area will be completely uncovered during that time and there will be a small pillow that is used to absorb the sweat.

It is done with a machine that has panels in front of the area to be treated. The panels also have sensors that adjust the treatment for better results and fewer side effects. At the moment, the treatment is available for the abdominal area, back, sides and thighs.

In the area where the Vanquish machine is placed, the tissues are heated producing heat. The heat can be mild or moderate and feels as if you have a heating pad. Each session lasts about 30 minutes and takes between 4 to 6 weekly sessions to start getting results.

When preparing for treatment, the key is to drink plenty of water. The water will keep the patient hydrated and help make Vanquish treatment more effective, since water helps the body get rid of dead fat cells improving their results.

You can see that the device does not even touch the person. It is suspended over the orientation area to deliver the energy. As the energy is delivered to the tissues, they heat up. The Vanquish offers the feeling of a heating pad. So it’s very comfortable Some patients even comment that it is relaxing. What is not shown is that there is a thin pad that absorbs sweat. The energy is delivered only thirty minutes. So each session is only 30 minutes and there are 4-6 sessions needed to get the best results. These sessions are currently recommended in about a week apart.