Body contouring procedures are popular for many reasons. Ultimately, the primary reason people seek procedures like liposuction or nonsurgical treatments is that stubborn fatty bulges can stick around regardless of how much dieting and exercising we do. That is unless we devote ourselves to those tasks, which most people simply don’t have time to do. If you’ve done some research on fat-reducing treatments, you may have come across a wide variety of potential options. Two that are quite popular in our Denver office are CoolSculpting and BodyTite. While both are proven to reduce unwanted fat, they don’t work the same. Here, we discuss some of their main differences so that you can better understand your choices and how you might decide between them.
CoolSculpting
CoolSculpting is a noninvasive procedure that freezes fat cells. The process is referred to as cryolipolysis. It is stimulated by placing a targeted area of fat cells between cooling panels. The size of a treatment area may be about that of a stick of butter or, in some cases, even smaller. A short period of time between cooling panels causes the contents of fat cells to crystallize. The body naturally flushes these destroyed fat cells through the lymphatic system. Without the same number of fat cells, the target area decreases in size. According to studies, one CoolSculpting treatment can reduce the target area by up to 24%. However, multiple sessions may be needed to achieve the best results.
Common CoolSculpting treatment areas include:
- Abdomen
- Backs of the arms
- Back or bra area
- Thighs
- Double chin
There is no downtime after CoolSculpting. Results develop gradually over up to 12 weeks, but improvements are usually noticeable after four.
BodyTite
BodyTite is a body contouring treatment that works via radiofrequency energy. It is a type of minimally-invasive liposuction that involves the insertion of a small cannula into the subcutaneous layer of fat. Patients are sedated for the procedure so experience no pain. The narrow tube delivers radiofrequency to melt fat cells and also stimulates collagen production before the fat is suctioned away.
Common areas for BodyTite include:
- Abdomen
- Back
- Backs of the arms
- Neck or double chin
- Hips
- Thighs
Patients can expect one to two days of downtime after BodyTite treatment. Results become noticeable in a few weeks and can improve for a year or longer. The majority of fat loss and skin tightening is noticed in the first six months after the procedure.
If you have more questions about our body contouring treatments or want to schedule a visit, contact our Denver office at (303) 839-1616.
