Heat and cold have many benefits in cosmetic procedures. However, many people don’t know that heat and cold are used for fat removal.
Laser (heat) and Coolsculpting (cold) treatments are both effective ways to get rid of unwanted fat cells. The first produces targeted heat to kill fat cells without affecting the surrounding tissues. Laser fat removal is called laser lipolysis. Coolsculpting does the same by freezing fat cells until cell death. A process called cryolipolysis.
If you are trying to decide between laser fat removal vs Coolsculpting, you are probably wondering which is more effective.
While both of these treatments use temperature to kill fat cells, is one treatment better than the other at getting rid of unwanted fat? Let’s find out.
Everyone has an area on their body that they want to see change. Fat gathers underneath the chin and around the hips. It creates an extra layer of insulation over the belly and makes it hard to fit into your favorite pair of jeans.
And while a little fat isn’t harmful, it changes how you feel about your body. It may even affect your self-esteem and self-confidence, especially if you try to get rid of it without success.
In the past, cosmetic surgery was the only option for fat removal. Liposuction literally sucks the fat cells out of the body. But the invasive procedure requires an anesthetic and several days of recovery time.
Fat removal doesn’t have to involve surgery for visible results. Coolsculpting and laser fat removal are nonsurgical techniques that damage fat cells. The damaged cells are removed from the body via your natural disposal systems, and you can leave your treatment with little to no recovery.
Neither laser fat removal nor Coolsculpting is intended as a weight loss procedure. Both treatments target fat cells, and any weight loss is incidental to the death of those cells. The real intention behind body sculpting is to remove fat strategically to create a better body contour or sculpt specific areas to improve balance in your appearance.
Laser lipolysis, or laser fat removal, is a form of body sculpting. Laser-assisted lipolysis was approved by the FDA in 2006. Many people also refer to laser fat removal as laser lipo or non-invasive lipo.
During laser fat removal, your provider applies the paddles strategically across your body. The laser heats the treatment area, and you may feel a prickling warmth as the device passes over your skin. Your provider will target areas that affect your overall body contour.
You should always work with an experienced medical doctor at an accredited plastic surgery practice or medical spa to ensure your best results.
One way that laser lipo is better than the original surgical procedures is the heat from the laser simultaneously tightens the skin as it damages fat cells. The heat stimulates collagen production in the skin, which makes it more elastic and reduces sagging. The overall effect is a tighter, more toned treatment area.
The most commonly treated areas with laser fat removal are the abdomen, love handles, back, inner and outer thighs, neck, and waist.
Coolsculpting is also a form of body sculpting. The treatment is a bit newer than laser lipolysis and was approved by the FDA in 2010. At first, it was used to treat minor spots and blemishes but was relaunched as a noninvasive fat removal technique shortly after.
During Coolsculpting, your provider moves the cold applicator over your treatment areas. You may feel an ache when the device first starts to apply cold air. But eventually, the area will become numb, and the treatment is relatively pain-free.
After your provider treats an area, they will massage it to increase the number of fat cells eliminated. In a 2013 study, patients received Coolsculpting on both sides of the abdomen. One side was massaged, and the other was left alone. The difference was striking – mean fat layer reduction was 68% greater on the side which was massaged.
The most commonly treated areas with Coolsculpting are the jawline, chin, upper arms, back, bra bulge, love handles, abdomen, thighs, and buttocks.
If you are asking yourself which treatment should I choose – laser fat removal vs Coolsculpting – the answer may be a matter of preference.
On average, Coolsculpting gets rid of about 25% of fat cells in the treatment area. Laser lipolysis is said to remove about 24%. These treatments are fairly similar in the amount of fat removed from the body.
Both treatments are approved by the FDA for fat removal.
In general, Coolsculpting appears to have fewer side effects than laser fat removal. However, both treatments are relatively pain-free with few complications, especially when compared with surgical fat removal options like liposuction.
Laser fat removal removes about 24% of treated fat cells each treatment. That much fat can make a large difference in your body shape and contour. However, some people need between two and eight treatments to meet their body sculpting goals.
Coolsculpting removes up to 25% of treated fat cells, especially when combined with a 2-minute massage. Most Coolsculpting providers recommend one to three sessions for patients to achieve optimal results.
When it comes to laser fat removal vs Coolsculpting – both treatments are effective. Whichever you prefer, both non-invasive fat removal treatments have stunning results!
Stadia Med Spa recommends fat removal with Coolsculpting for anyone who wants to improve their body contour. Start your journey to a better body contour at Stadia Med Spa with a free consultation!
Call 210-881-6270 today!
