CoolSculpting by Zeltiq – What Sets It Apart?

While the fat freezing procedure is actually called CoolSculpting, most people know the technique by the name of the company that patented the process and sells the CoolSculpting device, Zeltiq.

CoolSculpting (or simply Zeltiq) is basically synonymous with cryolipolysis. Simply put, cryolipolysis is a process for freezing fat that does not require surgical incisions.

While it is often thought of as a form of liposuction, it is better classified as lipolysis, or fat destruction (lipo = fat; lysis = to break apart).

Because there are no incisions, Zeltiq is a non-invasive form of weight reduction. Since it is non-surgical, CoolSculpting requires several treatment sessions separated over a period of weeks to months.

 

Understanding CoolSculpting: The Science Behind Fat Freezing

CoolSculpting by Zeltiq is a noninvasive procedure in which a medical professional uses the a device to cool unwanted fat.

Unwanted fat is firmly pinched between two pads which then apply cooling energy to the area (withdraw heat). The deeply cooled fat cells have one of three fates.

The first fate is that the cells die immediately from the cold. The cells burst open and the oily fat is released and absorbed by the body.

The second possibility is that the cells become dysfunctional to the point that they will die within a certain period of time after the procedure.

The third fate is that the cells are temporarily cooled but return to normal after they warm up.

 

How CoolSculpting (Zeltiq) Works

In the first instance, there is immediate fat loss, though this happens to a relatively small amount of fat cells.

The second fate is where most weight loss takes place. While patients do not see results immediately, as the fat cells die and are removed by the body, noticeable fat loss occurs.

Unfortunately most fat cells enjoy the third fate and are unaffected by CoolSculpting.

All told, patients that undergo Zeltiq can expect between 20% and 80% fat cell reduction from freezing fat.

 

Comparing CoolSculpting to Liposuction and Other Fat Reduction Methods

When deciding between Zeltiq and invasive techniques, keep in mind that the fat loss is usually not as impressive or as fast with Zeltiq as it would be with more traditional liposuction procedures.

Zeltiq is fairly comparable to other non-invasive fat reduction procedures, however, such as external laser lipolysis (perhaps even more effective).

Since Zeltiq is non-invasive, there is no surgery involved, no surgical incisions, and no prolonged recovery period. Patients that have the CoolScultping procedure do report the feeling of intense cold early on, but as the nerves in the area are cooled, they become numb.

This cooling deadens the nerves, like local anesthetic, and the cold sensation is absent for most of the procedure. As the nerves warm to body temperature, there is some feeling of “pins and needles” but not usually pain.

Surprisingly, only fat cells are destroyed during CoolSculpting—skin, nerve, and muscle are not affected.

Since Zeltiq destroys fat cells, one concern that some people have is whether the released fat leads to other health problems. This does not seem likely from current research. Treatment with Zeltiq did not result in problems with cholesterol levels in the blood nor did it negatively impact the liver (the two main areas that would theoretically be disturbed by a huge influx of fat).