“I always cook with wine. Sometimes I even add it to the food.”
-W.C. Fields
We all want to look good and feel our best. And, if you are like me, you probably eat healthy (or at least try) and exercise on a regular basis. Recently, in the medical device world, there has risen a non-invasive technology that reduces or destroys fat without surgery. When someone hears about this, the first thoughts are often, “I can kill fat without surgery?” or “I can get rid of fat without any downtime?” Sounds amazing, right? This new technology is called “Coolsculpting.” If you haven’t heard of it yet, let us be the first to introduce you.
The technology
Researchers at Harvard came up with the idea after watching some kids eating popsicles. What they found out was it is possible to lower the temperature of fat without damaging the skin using cryotherapy. When doing a procedure, the practitioner places what amounts to a gel pack on the area they are treating. Then they apply an applicator that “sucks the fat” in; the applicator is left on the skin for 30-45 minutes depending on the area. The goal here is to remove the fat without doing any damage to the skin.
The Buzz
It’s hard not to see coolscupting ads literally everywhere-- billboards, magazine, TV, and radio ads. It was FDA cleared in 2008 and has become very popular. Even supermodel and actress Molly Sims loves and uses the technology. She has talked about it on everything from E to The View about using the technology after having her kids.
The Reality
To check the facts, we contacted board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jason Martin (www.jasonmartinmd.com) to find out if is this fact or fiction?
Q: Does Coolsculpting work?
Dr. Martin: “Yes, for small areas, you will see 20-25% reduction.”
Q: What are the problems with it?
Dr. Martin: “Approximately 10% of patients see no results.”
Q: What do you think of it compared to liposuction?
Dr. Martin: “It is a good start for non-invasive technology. But, it won’t give you the results of traditional liposuction.”
The Cost
It all depends on how many treatments and what areas you are going to treat. According to Realself.com, the average cost for a single area is $2,350 and has an 83% approval rating. As a comparison, we also looked up the average cost for liposuction. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgery in 2016 the average cost for liposuction was $3,200. While it seems like Coolsculpting is less expensive when treating a single area, if you require multiple treatments or are looking to do a larger area, it could get pricey so that’s important to consider when you are weighing your options.
The Conclusion
Trying to lose weight can be tough. Coolsculpting does offer an alternative to surgery and seems to be a decent option for those seeking non-invasive treatments and minimal downtime. But it is important to be realistic about your expectations and your overall weight loss goals. If you don’t know where to start, speaking with your primary care physician is a great resource and he/she can refer you to a dietician that will help get you started on a healthier and happier lifestyle.
To your skin health,
Team Reflect
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