Gone are the days when liposuction was the only option for targeting and removing fat in the body! Today, innovations in fat reduction technology have resulted in the growing popularity of non-invasive and non-surgical fat reduction treatments as an alternative.
Lipolysis breaks up fat cells into smaller molecules and is non-surgical and non-invasive. This procedure, known also as body contouring, uses cooling, heating, ultrasound and other methods to get rid of fat in trouble areas – minus the downtime of liposuction.
However, Googling fat reduction treatments brings up a long list of results, and it can be difficult to know which option is right for you. Keep reading to find out the pros and cons of two of the most popular non-invasive fat reduction treatments on the market: CoolSculpting and SculpSure.
COOLSCULPTING & SCULPSURE
CoolSculpting and SculpSure have become two of the most popular non-surgical and non-invasive body contouring procedures for fat reduction. So what’s the difference? While both treatments destroy fat cells, CoolSculpting utilizes extreme cold to do this, while SculpSure implements laser technology.
Which body treatment will be most effective for your problem areas? The answer to this question depends on your specific problem area, pain tolerance level and schedule. Keep reading to find out the main differences of these two body-contouring technologies, so that you can choose the one that best fits your needs!
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
CoolSculpting FAQS
- CoolSculpting destroys fat through the process of cryolipolysis by exposing the tissue to extreme cold. Because the fat tissue in your body is more sensitive to colder temperatures than the surrounding tissue, the coolness kills the fat cells.
- A CoolSculpting session may last from 30-60 minutes, depending on the size of the targeted area.
- It may take up to three months to see results from this treatment, and everyone’s treatment results can be different.
- As CoolSculpting suctions skin before cooling fat tissue, this treatment is recommended for those who have enough extra fat to pinch.
- CoolSculpting is FDA approved for a wide range of potential problem areas, including the torso and belly, love handles, upper arms and bra area, thighs, upper thighs (under butt) and neck fat (double chin).
- Suctioning may result in minimal bruising and/or sensitivity, but most people find the side effects go away within a couple of weeks.
SCULPSURE
- SculpSure, a slightly newer technology than CoolSculpting, heats up fat cells to the point of destruction using technology that is light-based.
- A SculpSure session typically lasts twenty-five minutes.
- As with CoolSculpting, it may take up to three months to experience the full effects of the procedure and treatment results can vary.
- This treatment is FDA approved to treat the following areas: Torso and belly, love handles at the sides of the hips, back and thighs. As this treatment is fast and non-invasive, up to four areas can be treated during the same visit.
- Due to the intense heat emitted from SculpSure lasers, some may find this treatment more uncomfortable than CoolSculpting (some people find the cool temperatures of CoolSculpting create a numbing effect). There are, however, cooling cycles built into the Sculpsure treatment. Because the skin is not suctioned before treatment as is the case with CoolSculpting, bruising is typically very minimal.
WHY WE TREAT OUR CLIENTS WITH COOLSCULPTING
With more than seven million treatments performed, CoolSculpting is one of the world’s most popular non-surgical body sculpting treatments. In fact, A 2013 study in Dermatologic Surgery* researched the results of cryolipolysis after three months and found the following:
- Participants saw an average 23% reduction in fat
- 96% found the procedure tolerably comfortable
- 73% of subjects were satisfied with their results
Want to find out if CoolSculpting is right for you? Take this CoolSculpting Quiz to find out, and then schedule an in-office or tele-med consultation with one of our expert aestheticians.
*Dierickx, Christine et al. “Safety, Tolerance, and Patient Satisfaction With Noninvasive Cryolipolysis.” Dermatologic Surgery 39.8 (2013). https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/dsu.12238
