Diet & exercise. Those are two words patients do not want to hear when they seek consultation for fat reduction. Most likely they have been dieting and they have been exercising. Yet those stubborn pockets or bulges of fat remain. Many patients are not candidates for surgical procedures such as liposuction or abdominoplasty. Similarly, many patients desire a non-invasive approach to body contouring. To meet this demand, a new treatment modality was created to appease patients and providers alike. Coolsculpting by Zeltiq was developed by dermatologists Dieter Manstein, M.D. and R. Rox Anderson, M.D. at Massachusetts General Hospital, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. Coolsculpting is a safe non-surgical option for patients requiring no down time or anesthesia. Ideal candidates are patients in relatively good shape with select areas of fatty bulging non-responsive to more traditional therapies, such as diet and exercise.
The device encompasses the scientific principle that fat cells are very susceptible to permanent damage under controlled low temperatures. Using this principal of“cryolipolysis,” a cold enough temperature is reached during treatment to selectively target fat cells without harming skin or soft tissue. The targeted area of fat is placed into an apparatus with cooling plates that initiate the process. A complete treatment cycle (per area/per side) is one hour. Common treatment areas include “love handles,” upper and lower abdomen sections and upper back fat. The cells later become crystalized and undergo apoptosis or natural cell death. This process takes place over several months and results are seen between two to four months after treatment. Potential side effects from treatment include temporary bruising, numbness/dulling of sensation within treatment site, redness of skin, cramping, and tenderness/pain.
At Bowes Dermatology, we have performed over 3,000 treatments with excellent long term results. We are proud to be a National Coolsculpting Center of Excellence and are committed as a practice to bringing our patients the highest quality of care. Feel free to call us to inquire more aboutCoolsculpting or visit our online photo gallery of amazing results. Don’t forget, bikini season is fast approaching! We offer complimentary Coolsculpting consultations that can help get you in top shape for the summer.