COSMETIC TOWN JOURNAL



CoolSculpting - Don't Try This at Home!

Posted March 09, 2020
The reasons patients should not try CoolSculpting at home

In the past, liposuction was the often the “go to” procedure for patients looking to reduce or eliminate the appearance of stubborn and resistant fat on the body. As time and technology have progressed, nonsurgical methods of fat reduction, which also provide a better body contour, have grown in popularity. CoolSculpting, AKA cryolipolysis, is performed by freezing fat cells on the body. The procedure cools the subcutaneous fat in the targeted area to the point where the fat cells are destroyed. A handheld device that contains applicators is placed on the targeted area along with a gel pad. The applicator will cool the fat in the targeted area and then a suction device removes fat by moving the device over the skin. Some of the destroyed fat is also naturally absorbed by the body. Some of the most popular areas for the use of CoolSculpting are the chin, arms, abdomen and the back. CoolSculpting is performed in the office of a doctor and, since it is not deemed to be a procedure that is medically necessary, it is normally not covered by medical insurance. Since CoolSculpting is not paid for by insurance, some patients will try to copy the procedure at home through the use of ice and other types of frozen products. It cannot be stressed enough to say….DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME! The attempt to perform CoolSculpting at home is dangerous and nowhere near as effective as having the procedure performed in the office of a trained medical professional.

Do Not Try CoolSculpting at Home

Even though CoolSculpting freezes the fat cells of a patient, there is more to the procedure than simply freezing the fact cells. During the treatment, the doctor will use a small applicator to suck out some of the fact cells that have been frozen. The fat cells that are remaining in the area being treated will start to shrink and be destroyed over the following weeks.

Patients that try to perform CoolSculpting at home will often use ice cubes, or various other frozen materials, in order to try and freeze the fat cells in the body. Patients that are thinking about trying CoolSculpting at home need to be aware of the fact that this homemade method will only freeze the skin and it will not reduce or eliminate any fat cells.

Risks of Performing CoolSculpting at Home

Some of the most common risks of attempting to perform CoolSculpting at home include:

  • Frostbite
  • Pain
  • Permanent damage to the tissue
  • Numbness

Side Effects of CoolSculpting by a Medical Professional

While having CoolSculpting performed in the office of a doctor is the ideal way to have the treatment, there are some side effects that patients should be aware of when visiting the office of a medical professional for CoolSculpting:

  • Minor Pressure
  • Tenderness
  • Swelling
  • Redness
  • Numbness
  • Pain
  • Tingling Sensation

These side effects can last for a few days to a few weeks but they will eventually subside on their own.

Cost of CoolSculpting

In general, the cost for CoolSculpting performed by a medical professional is anywhere from $1500-$4500. The final cost depends on the size of the area being treated, the number of areas being treated, any fees charged by the doctor or the facility and the amount of treatments needed to achieve the desired final results.

One of the reasons that patients want to try CoolSculpting at home is because the cost of the treatment is not covered by insurance. While many medical providers offer payment plans or financing options, some patients still want to cut costs and not spend much money undergoing a CoolSculpting treatment.

If a person attempts to perform CoolSculpting at home and ends us suffering an injury, the cost of the medical care necessary to address the injury might be more than the fees the person would have spent on simply paying a medical professional to perform the body contouring treatment in the first place.

CoolSculpting at Home is not Safe

The Internet is a great tool for patients to research cosmetic procedures and learn more about how they are performed as well as the results and benefits that can be gained from having a treatment. However, the more people learn about procedures such as CoolSculpting, the more they are tempted to try and perform the treatment on their own.

Any attempts to perform CoolSculpting at home can be very dangerous and can results in side effects that might have to be addressed by a medical professional. It is always the best idea to schedule a consultation appointment with a doctor that is experienced in performing CoolSculpting on patients. The doctor can accurately answer any questions the patient has about CoolSculpting as well as show “before and after” photos of actual patients. In addition, the doctor can identify and discuss any possible risks to the health of the patient.  The doctor will also make sure that the patient knows that CoolSculpting is not a weight loss method and is not a substitute for a lifestyle filled with a healthy diet and exercise plan.

MA

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