One of the most common aesthetic treatments people request is fat reduction. For clients who haven’t gotten the results they want with diet and exercise changes, a clinical treatment is often the next step.
One non-surgical treatment option for fat reduction is cryolipolysis, which goes by the brand name Coolsculpting. This method helps get rid of stubborn fat in certain parts of the body by essentially cooling the fat to a temperature that destroys it while leaving the skin and other tissues unharmed. Scientists came up with this method by studying what happens to the body, specifically fat cells, during frostbite.
Cryolipolysis can be used in areas such as under the chin, thighs, belly, under the butt, along the bra line, upper arm, and the back and sides.
This non-surgical procedure involves placing the targeted area between two paddles which cool rapidly. They stay in place for 35 minutes and up to 1 hour and 15 minutes and during that time, 20-25% of the fat cells are destroyed. The patient will experience mild side effects, mostly a mild to moderate pain or numbing sensation afterwards but there is no downtime required.
Results are not immediate but occur over time as the body clears out the dead fat cells. Patients could see results within a few weeks and up to a few months after the procedure.
Cryolipolysis can be used to treat excess fat for almost anyone, but there are some things you need to know beforehand. In your pre-treatment consultation, ask your client about current hernias, recent surgeries, pregnancy, and any sensitivities and allergies. This will help you design the safest and most effective treatment. It should also be noted that this is not a way to lose weight. Nothing can replace diet and exercise, but if those aren’t seeming to help get rid of certain fat bulges in your patient, then this could be an option for them.
As you further develop your practice and evaluate new options to offer your clients, Coolsculpting may be one of them. Look at what your clients are already asking for, market factors like price point and local spending habits, and consumer reviews of new options to determine what’s best for your clients and your practice.
You will also want to closely examine the cost of ownership for a Coolsculpting machine and what all it entails. As well as the training and certifications required to operate and offer Coolsculpting treatments. Although it is a cosmetic procedure, it is still considered a medical treatment in many states so understanding the treatment and everything that goes into it is vital.