Written by: Melissa Miller “The Body Sculptress”
What is CoolSculpting Elite?
The CoolSculpting Elite fat-freezing treatment is the only FDA-cleared,* non-surgical fat-reduction treatment that uses controlled cooling to eliminate stubborn fat that may be resistant to diet and exercise. The results are proven and noticeable. The CoolSculpting® procedure is FDA-cleared for the treatment of visible fat bulges in the submental (under the chin) and thigh, abdomen and flank, along with bra fat, back fat, underneath the buttocks (also known as banana roll) and upper arm.
How does CoolSculpting Work?
The CoolSculpting treatment works by a process called cryolipolysis. The fat cells in the treated area are crystalized (frozen) to the point where they are damaged and die – a process called apoptosis, or programmed cell death. Over time, your body naturally processes the fat and eliminates the dead cells.
What is SculpSure?
SculpSure arrives at the same end as CoolSculpting but with the opposite temperature approach. Instead of freezing fat cells, heat is used to kill fat cells. During a SculpSure treatment, applicators are placed over the treatment area, and a laser is used to heat fat to the point of cell death. Once damaged, the fat cells are swept away by the body’s lymphatic system. Just like CoolSculpting, it takes about three months to see full results.
SculpSure is currently FDA-approved to treat the stomach, “love handles,” back, thighs, and the “double chin.” Most treatments take about 25 minutes.
Which one is best for me?
Coolsculpting and Sculpsure are both approved to treat almost all the same areas. So then how do you decide which one to do? Consider a few things.
1-Pain sensitivity. With Sculpsure we must reach a fairly high temperature and this can be mildly uncomfortable. Mostly if you already have sensitive skin. Coolsculpting on the other hand is much less uncomfortable, because cooling is a natural anesthetic. After a few minutes of feeling cold on the area we are treating, you don’t feel much discomfort for the rest of the treatment.
2-Consider how much fat you want to lose. For a client that has more fat to remove, Coolsculpting is the better option. The vacuum applicators are able to draw up a good amount of tissue, so this is better for someone who has more to get rid of. If you are already in good physical shape and just have a small amount of fat, Sculpsure would be the better option for you. We can sculpt the already defined area and make it even more aesthetically appealing.
There are certain situations when using both Coolsculpting and Sculpsure are a great option. Think about someone who has a significant amount of fat. Using Coolsculpting for fat reduction is a great place to start while following up with Sculpsure to define and sculpt the remaining areas. We are fortunate to have both Coolsculpting and Sculpsure at L Aesthetics and Longevity.
One of the great things about both Coolsculpting and Sculpsure is there is no real downtime. Clients can leave the treatment and go on with their day like normal. There are no restrictions as to what you can do when you leave. All forms of exercise are acceptable as early as the same day. You will have mild tenderness in the area we are treating and a numb feeling that can last a few weeks but no other significant down time.