Start the New Year off Loving the Skin You’re In
This is a time of year that prompts many of us to take a closer look at various aspects of our lives. We look at how well we’re taking care of ourselves, how we might manage stress better in the coming months, and how we can address the cosmetic issues that have plagued us for far too long. If you’re like a lot of folks, you may be considering finally doing something about the lingering fat that just won’t go away. Maybe you’ve considered CoolSculpting, the body contouring treatment you’ve heard of time and time again, but you’re procrastinating. We might know why. Many people who are interested in this treatment tell us that they hesitated because they weren’t sure what to expect. We’re going to answer the big questions here.
What Happens Before CoolSculpting® Treatment
CoolSculpting treatment doesn’t just happen. It is first necessary to make sure that this modality can do what a patient expects it to do. This may take some of the pressure off of your decision to get treatment. Know that all you’re committing to at first is learning if you are a good candidate for CoolSculpting. Most people are. This treatment can be conducted on the tummy, back, bra fat, thighs, even under the chin or on the backs of the arms, anywhere there is subcutaneous fat to “pinch.” After discussing what you wish to achieve and assessing your problem areas, your provider can accurately estimate a treatment plan that is right for you.
What To Expect During CoolSculpting® Treatment
If you are a good candidate for CoolSculpting, it’s possible that your treatment can be conducted right after your consultation. That is, if you are ready to move forward. The CoolSculpting process takes from about 40 minutes to an hour for one treatment area. Before beginning, the provider places a gel pad over the skin. This prevents sticking. The applicator is then applied over the pad.
When the applicator is applied, it suctions tissue between two cooling panels. Patients have reported feeling a pinching or tugging sensation that feels more odd than uncomfortable. With the cooling panels set to their target temperature, patients then report feeling sensations of stinging, tingling, intense cold, aching, or cramping. Again, none of these sensations is described as necessarily painful, just odd. Also, they only last for a few minutes before the tissue goes numb. For the remaining time of treatment, patients relax with a book or other activity.
After CoolSculpting® Treatment
Here is another area where patients anticipate pain. If you’ve looked into CoolSculpting, you may have heard that the provider will massage the treatment area immediately after removing the applicator. This practice has been shown to significantly increase the efficacy of fat-reduction, so we don’t want to skip it. Fortunately, providers are very careful when handling “frozen” fatty tissue. Patients describe their post-treatment massage as tolerably uncomfortable and very worth it to get the results that are possible.
Start your CoolSculpting treatments now to be in your best shape well before summer. Call (303) 839-1616 to schedule your consultation in our Denver office.
