21 Aug Do You Need CoolSculpting or Liposuction?
There are two key ways to remove fat permanently from the body: CoolSculpting and liposuction. CoolSculpting is completely non-invasive and has been a proven method for body sculpting and contouring for decades. Available at RefinedMD, it works by freezing small amounts of fat cells at targeted sites. When fat cells are frozen, they effectively die. The body then metabolizes and ejects the cells naturally from the body in the days and weeks following the treatment. The basis for CoolSculpting was discovered by accident 50 years ago when researchers noticed that kids who ate a lot of frozen treats had less fat in their face than their peers. Unfortunately, this origin story has led to a dangerous social media trend in which users try to “freeze” fat at home by placing frozen items on the areas they want to treat. This is ineffective and can be dangerous—you can also give yourself frost bite and potentially have to have skin removed.
Real CoolSculpting actually works with no needles, no downtime—and no risk of frost bite. The treatment is painless, though it can feel unusual the first time. The targeted area is “suctioned” by a handheld device while the fat cells are exposed to precise external freezing temperatures. You can get CoolSculpting on virtually any part of your body, from large areas like the flanks and abs to tiny areas like under the chin. Although the science behind CoolSculpting hasn’t changed, there have been many advancements over the years, such as the creation of more streamlined handheld devices so that a bigger area can be treated. Many clients opt for back-to-back appointments so they can treat multiple sites in one appointment. You can also combine CoolSculpting with Emsculpt to contour via fat removal and build muscle.
The Truth About Liposuction
Last year marked the first time liposuction overtook breast augmentation as the most-requested plastic surgery procedure. That makes sense since liposuction is desired by men and women alike. However, although it’s true that the incisions and scars from liposuction are quite small, liposuction isn’t an “easy” surgery. It is actually considered to have a quite painful recovery due to the intensive bruising. Plus, a good liposuction surgeon will require liposuction massage in the days following surgery in order to help “mold” the skin into its new shape. This is described as very painful by many patients.
There’s no denying that liposuction works. It is the only method to immediately and permanently remove fat, sometimes large amounts of fat. Just bear in mind that the more fat you remove immediately, the more likely you are to experience sagging, wrinkles, and skin laxity. Your skin is an organ and it needs time to adjust to changing weight. When you lose (or gain) weight slowly, the skin can adapt. Liposuction simply doesn’t allow for that.
Which One is for You?
If you are at or near a healthy weight that you like, but struggle with stubborn fat areas, CoolSculpting may be for you. It is not a weight loss procedure, but, as the name suggests, a means of sculpting the body. If you want to avoid the risks, scars, and recovery associated with surgery, CoolSculpting may be for you. Any cosmetic surgery comes with some risks, and that includes liposuction. If you want to make the most of this summer and not deal with very large and painful bruising, you may want to look into CoolSculpting. Liposuction is often paired with other procedures like a tummy tuck, and even compared with these much more invasive procedures it often causes the most, longest-lasting, and painful bruising.
Ultimately, a lot of people want to avoid surgery whenever they can. CoolSculpting can give you that option. It is safe, effective, and doesn’t get in the way of summer plans. You will start to see results just one month after your first cycle, with full results 3 – 6 months after your final cycle. Fat cells that are frozen away never come back, but weight gain can push nearby fat cells into the treated area. In other words, CoolSculpting can be part of a healthy diet and lifestyle, not a replacement for it. To find out more about CoolSculpting and other body contouring options, call RefinedMD today or fill out the online contact form now.