Freezing Fat Away: The Science Behind CoolSculpting

When it comes to non-invasive fat reduction, CoolSculpting remains a popular choice. US FDA-cleared for reducing visible fat bulges in stubborn areas like the abdomen, thighs, and under the chin, this procedure uses cooling technology to freeze and eliminate fat cells without affecting the surrounding skin or tissue.

Read on to explore the science behind CoolSculpting and how its updated system, CoolSculpting Elite, enhances fat freezing treatments for impressive results.

The birth of CoolSculpting

The idea behind CoolSculpting goes back to a medical observation known as popsicle panniculitis. This condition, discovered in children who frequently ate popsicles, caused dimples in their cheeks due to localized fat loss. 

Researchers Dr. Dieter Manstein and Dr. Rox Anderson at Harvard University saw potential in this phenomenon for fat reduction. They focused their studies on the effects of cold temperatures on fat cells and their potential for non-invasive fat loss.

Their research revealed that fat cells are particularly sensitive to cold and can be damaged at specific temperatures. They theorized that applying controlled cooling to fat cells could trigger apoptosis, or programmed cell death, without harming surrounding tissues.

Building on this discovery, the doctors partnered with Zeltiq Aesthetics to develop the device we now know as CoolSculpting. The system uses a specialized applicator with vacuum suction to gently pull targeted areas of skin and fat into a cooling chamber. This process causes the fat cells to freeze, crystallize, and ultimately die off. Over time, the body naturally eliminates these damaged fat cells through the lymphatic system.

Powered by the science of Cryolipolysis

CoolSculpting operates on the principle of Cryolipolysis, which can be broken down into cryo meaning cold, lipo meaning fat, and lysis meaning to destroy/break apart. It simply means using cold temperatures to target and kill fat. What it does is expose treatment areas (with unwanted or stubborn fat) to controlled cooling.  

The basic principle behind Cryolipolysis is that adipocytes or fat cells are more susceptible to cooling than other tissues. Exposure to the right temperatures, as previously mentioned, causes these cells to undergo a natural controlled death. The body will then process and eliminate these cells through the lymphatic system, gradually reducing the fat layer in the treated area.

Here is how Cryolipolysis works:

1. An applicator of the right size is selected based on the shape and dimension of the fatty bulge.
2. The targeted area is marked and a gel pad is used to protect the skin.
3. The applicator uses a suction to gently pull the fat away from the body.
4. The device gradually cools the area (-11 to -7 degrees Celsius).
5. The cooling temperatures trigger an inflammatory response and destroy fat cells. 
6. The body absorbs and metabolizes the treated fat cells over time. 

The goal of Cryolipolysis is not weight loss, but to reduce areas of the body with stubborn fat bulges or those that don’t respond well to diet and exercise. It can contour the treated area or make it look slimmer. Common areas for the procedure include the belly, thighs, upper arms, back fat, and under the chin. 

Body sculpting with CoolSculpting Elite

CoolSculpting is US FDA-cleared and backed by clinical studies. Its revamped version, CoolSculpting Elite, has added features that can take your fat freezing treatment further. Its newly designed applicators have a larger cooling area and are available in various sizes to treat different stubborn fat areas in less time.

It offers: 

• Dual sculpting for treating two areas in one session
• C-Shaped applicators for a more comfortable experience
• 18% more coverage, reducing the number of treatments needed
• Up to 27% fat reduction in treated areas
• Can treat visible fat bulges in nine different areas of the body (including the abdomen, thighs, back, upper arms, and under the chin)

With CoolSculpting Elite, patients can see initial improvements as early as three to four weeks. Full results appear after three to four months or the period when your body has completely flushed all the frozen fat cells.

For further reading:Does CoolSculpting Elite Hurt? And Other Concerns About the Procedure

Book an appointment today

Want to learn more about CoolSculpting Elite in Singapore and how it can help you achieve your body goals? Contact Sanctuary by Cutis today to learn more or schedule an appointment.

Sources: 

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-skinny-on-freezing-fat-2020031218990

https://www.coolsculpting.com/discover-our-story