Fat Is The New Cool!

Riverchase Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery –

So what is Coolsculpting?
Coolsculpting is an FDA-approved noninvasive way to treat fat. There are no incisions, anesthesia, or medications required.

How does it work?
There is a medical entity called popsicle panniculitis that was first described in the 1970s where little children had popsicles placed in their mouths, but because they were so young, they were not able to pull the popsicles out. Consequentially, the children’s cheeks developed depressions that were later determined to be a result of cold-induced inflammation of the fat. Researchers at Harvard Medical School then attempted to take advantage of this phenomenon to deliberately treat or remove undesired fat.

The device’s hand piece vacuums an area of fat between two cold plates. The skin and fat are cooled to just above freezing, causing microcrystals to develop in the fat cells. The presence of these crystals triggers an inflammatory response, telling the immune system to remove these cells. Over the course of a few months, the immune system slowly removes these cells, resulting in a reduction of fat in the treated area.

Is the procedure painful?
There is some discomfort when the vacuum first takes hold. Over the next 10 minutes or so, the cold induces numbness in the skin. After the device is removed, the skin and the fat are in fact somewhat frozen, thawing over the next 5 or less minutes. All patients experience some form of numbness for about 3 weeks following the procedure.

Are the results immediate?
No, the results are typically seen 3-4 months after treatment. However, some patients may see results as early as 2 months.

What areas are most often treated?
Most patients come in to have their abdomen and love handles treated. Back fat, thighs, and arms are sometimes amenable to the treatment as well.

How long does the treatment last?
Each application requires one hour. One love handle can be thought of as an hour. A typical abdomen can be 2-4 hours, but some patients will have 4 or more hours of treatment scheduled.

Can I treat the same area twice?
Yes, in fact, most patients are so happy with the results that they will often sign up for additional treatment sessions.

Who are candidates?
The ideal candidates are those who have either successfully dieted or exercise routinely and have some of that exercise-resistant fat. Those love handles that just won’t go away or the ‘pooch’ that most people just can’t get rid of. As long as the desired area to be treated can be pinched and pulled, so that the device can actually vacuum it between the two cool plates, then it most likely is a good candidate. Those individuals looking for larger volumes of fat reduction are perhaps better served by more traditional procedures such as liposuction.

Can I return to my normal activities after my treatment?
Absolutely. That is what’s so cool about Coolsculpting. The procedure is completely non-surgical, so typically you can return to normal activities immediately. Often times, patients return to work after the session is over.

Where are treatments done?
Treatments are performed at our Downtown Naples office, two blocks north of 5th Ave on US 41 across from the CVS. Call today to schedule a free consultation.

1-800-591-DERM(3376)
www.RiverchaseDermatology.com