How CoolSculpting Works

When a healthy lifestyle isn’t quite enough to reach your body goals, science and technology come into play. Luckily, body contouring with CoolSculpting is better than ever, thanks to the advanced CoolSculpting Elite! 

Cryolipolysis, the science behind fat freezing, is also the scientific process behind CoolSculpting, the most popular non-surgical fat reduction treatment. Let’s review fat freezing and how it works to see if it sounds right for you.

Cryoliploysis: How it Works

Fat freezing is scientifically proven to reduce pesky fat bulges that have become diet and exercise-resistant over time. This treatment results in natural, long-lasting results that patients love. 

Cryolipolysis addresses the central problem zones for individuals. Popular treatment areas include belly fat, thigh fat, love handles, double chins, upper arm, and neck fat. Nils Krueger, a researcher who studies cryolipolysis, lays out this process in a scientific paper titled “Cryolipolysis For Noninvasive Body Contouring: Clinical Efficacy And Patient Satisfaction.” Krueger states, “The principle behind cryolipolysis exploits the premise that adipocytes [fat cells] are more susceptible to cooling than other skin cells. The precise application of cold temperatures triggers apoptosis [cell death] of the adipocytes, [fat cells] which invokes an inflammatory response and leads to slow digestion by surrounding macrophages [the white blood cells that rid the body of waste.]”

Getting the Temperature Just Right for Fat Freezing

When you think about this process in simpler terms, CoolSculpting uses an applicator to isolate the fat deposit and then exposes it to extreme cooling temperatures. The temperatures are cold enough to freeze the subcutaneous fat but not enough to harm any skin or tissue. 

Once frozen, the fat cells crystallize and rupture. The destruction of the cells renders them useless and unable to do their job of storing fat. Once they die, the fat cells will process out of the body as waste via the lymphatic system. This process is natural and will occur over several weeks after treatments.

Cryolipolysis is similar to liposuction. Both remove fat cells from the body. However, Cryolipolysis is the only noninvasive way to remove fat cells, and it is entirely painless.

How Popsicles Led to the Discovery of Fat-Freezing Capabilities

Fat freezing or Cryolipolysis was developed by two Harvard scientists, Dieter Manstein, MD, and R. Rox Anderson, MD. They noticed the reduction of cheek fat among children who sucked on popsicles. 

Dr. Manstein explained the concept of Cryolipolysis to Allure magazine, saying, “Fat freezes at a higher temperature than water. Think of butter and water in the refrigerator – one is solid, the other remains liquid.” 

Following those same principles, the scientists discovered that exposing fat cells to cold temperatures could effectively freeze the fat without harming the overlying tissues. Cryolipolysis is possible because skin cells are mostly water and have a much lower freezing temperature than the underlying fat cells.

CoolSculpting Elite Offers Better Results Than CoolSculpting

CoolSculpting Elite uses a proprietary applicator that isolates the fat deposits in the treatment area and exposes them to cold temperatures. The temperature is cold enough to freeze fat cells, thus triggering cell death without harming the surrounding skin or tissue. 

Once the fat cell freezes, it crystallizes, and its membrane ruptures. When the cell membrane ruptures, the fat cell can no longer store fat, the fat cells will then process out of the body naturally through the lymphatic system. 

CoolSculpting Elite offers dual applicators to treat two areas within one appointment. Fat freezing results in natural, long-lasting results because once the fat cells leave the body, they cannot re-expand. 

Is Fat Freezing Right for Me?

To fully enjoy CoolSculpting results, you must be a qualified candidate for fat-freezing. Cryolipolysis is most effective on localized fat deposits in active, healthy adults who live a balanced lifestyle of eating nutritiously and exercising. Fat freezing is not a weight-loss treatment and people who are significantly overweight might see no results after Coolsculpting. 

Another factor when deciding whether CoolSculpting is right for you is when you’d like to see results. For example, if you want to contour your body for the summertime, we recommend scheduling your appointment in the fall. 

Experience Cryolipolysis Benefits for Yourself

The best way to learn if Cryolipolysis can reduce stubborn fat bulges is to schedule a complimentary CoolSculpting Elite consultation. Our treatment specialists help patients achieve optimal fat-freezing results. 

To schedule your free consultation, call 720-280-7016 or contact us online.