Serendipity and the evolution of non-invasive body-sculpting technology

The scientific insight behind the development of CoolSculpting technology, oddly enough, revealed itself on a hot summer afternoon many years ago. Harvard scientists Deiter Manstien and R. Rox Anderson saw how children developed dimples after eating popsicles, a natural phenomenon that (understandably) eluded the notice of pretty much almost everyone. After conducting further research, the scientists discovered that the popsicles were actually freezing small pockets of fat cells in the children’s faces, resulting in adorable post-popsicle dimples.

This eureka moment confirmed the amazing fat-slaying abilities of freezing temperatures…but was it safe? Upon further development and testing, it was found that controlled application of freezing temperatures to the body would target fat cells without damaging the skin and other surrounding tissue. This process, called Cryolipolysis, freezes the treated fat cells, resulting in cell crystallization and cell death. Once the fat cells die, they are recycled and consumed by other cells, and then naturally processed and eliminated from your body. The fortuitous end result is a naturally leaner, more sculpted looking you.

Here at Comprehensive Dermatology of Long Beach, we take a holistic approach to sculpting your body with your goals in mind. Because every patient is different, a customized treatment plan may be created to produce the results you want. The number of treatments required will depend on the difference between your goals and your current condition; some patients can achieve what they want with as little as one office visit, others may require additional treatments to accomplish the desired results.

During treatment, a gel pad and applicator is applied to the area you want to reduce. It delivers controlled cooling so only the targeted fat cells are frozen, without affecting your skin and muscles. You may feel intense cold in the first 5 to 10 minutes, but this eventually subsides as numbness starts to set in. You may also feel some tugging, pulling, and mild pinching depending on the type of applicator being used.

Most patients find the procedure to be relatively uncomplicated, with minimal discomfort. You can read, take a nap, listen to music, and even check your email during treatment. Our CoolSculpting treatment takes only 35 minutes per office visit with no downtime—in fact, most patients report going back to work as soon as treatment is over.

CoolSculpting is an extremely safe procedure with minimal side effects. You may feel temporary symptoms such as redness, bruising, numbness, swelling, stinging, and lingering pain. In rare instances, the redness may last up to 2 weeks, though it eventually subsides with no ill effects.

Results will vary from patient to patient, with some experiencing results as soon as 3 weeks after treatment. The most dramatic results are often observed between 1 to 3 months, though your body should continue to flush out fat cells for up to 6 months after treatment. The treatment permanently reduces the number of fat cells you have—once the treated cells are processed and eliminated through your system, they are gone, never to return. Results can be maintained long term, as long as you can commit to a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Say goodbye to the love handles you never loved…

Comprehensive Dermatology of Long Beach offers CoolSculpting for the abdomen (stomach, love handles), thighs, and neck/chin.  If you’d like to know more about this innovative new treatment and how it can help you get the body you always wanted, call our dermatology office at (562) 256-9929.

CoolSculpting® Important Information

Indications

The CoolSculpting® procedure is FDA-cleared for the treatment of visible fat bulges in the thigh, abdomen and flank, along with bra fat, back fat, underneath the buttocks (also known as banana roll), and upper arm in patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of ≤ 30 and in submental and submandibular areas in patients with a BMI of ≤ 46.2. It is also FDA-cleared to affect the appearance of lax tissue with submental area treatments.

Important Safety Information

CoolSculpting® is contraindicated in patients with cryoglobulinemia, cold agglutinin disease, or paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria.

Ask your patient about any medical conditions including recent surgery, pre-existing hernia, and any known sensitivities or allergies.

During the procedure patients may experience sensations of pulling, tugging, mild pinching, intense cold, tingling, stinging, aching, and cramping at the treatment site. These sensations subside as the area becomes numb. Following the procedure, typical side effects include temporary redness, swelling, blanching, bruising, firmness, tingling, stinging, tenderness, cramping, aching, itching, or skin sensitivity, and sensation of fullness in the back of the throat after submental or submandibular area treatment.

**Rare side effects may also occur. Paradoxical hyperplasia (visibly enlarged tissue volume in the treated area) may develop 2-5 months after treatment and requires surgical intervention for correction.**

**As with any medical procedure, a consultation should be done by a licensed healthcare professional to determine if the patient is a candidate for treatment. Consult the CoolSculpting® System User Manual for a complete list of Contraindications, Warnings, Precautions, and potential side effects. Treatment applications that deviate from the guidelines are not recommended.**