When it comes to treating stubborn fat on the body, CoolSculpting and laser liposuction are popular treatment options that reduce fat on the body. They are able to treat fat in specific areas of the body such as the stomach, arms, thighs, love handles/flanks, and the chin. Let’s take a look at the two treatments to determine the difference between how they are able to change the shape and look of the body.
CoolSculpting is a fat reduction procedure that is noninvasive in nature, and it works to freeze fat cells in the body. An applicator is placed on the area that is scheduled to be treated and the sensation on the body is cold for several minutes. Then, the patient will start to feel a pulling or sucking sensation which progresses to the treated area of the body starting to become numb during the procedure. After the treatment, the fats cells that are frozen will die and then they are absorbed by the body over a period of two weeks to two months.
This is not an ideal treatment for a person who wants to address excess weight on the body. It is a better option for a person who maintains a healthy weight but still has pockets of fat that are stubborn and resistant to removal through regular diet and exercise.
Laser assisted liposuction is a surgical procedure that can be performed in the office of the doctor who is handling the treatment. It is a safe surgical option for patients of different skin types. While the person will be awake during the surgery, the treated area will be numbed with a local anesthetic.
A small incision is created so the surgeon can insert a tiny laser underneath the skin. The laser is placed in the body so it can liquify the targeted fat that will be suctioned out of the body using a tiny tube that is known as a cannula.
The type of laser liposuction performed by the doctor depends on the individual needs of the patient and the type of results they hope to achieve. Some of the most common laser liposuction options include SmartLipo, CoolLipo, and LipoLite.
The duration of each treatment varies per procedure:
CoolSculpting can take up to an hour to perform on each treated area, The results can start to be seen within three weeks, but the best results can start to be seen within two months. The body can also continue to process dead fat cells for three or four months after the treatment. It can also take more than one treatment to gain the desired results.
Laser liposuction takes about an hour per section that is being treated. The results can start to appear about seven days after the procedure, but the results will continue to appear for a period of two to six months. It normally only takes one treatment to gain the desired results.
Both of these treatments are not intended to remove large amounts of fat from the body.
An ideal CoolSculpting candidate is someone with stubborn fat on the body that is not responding to regular diet and exercise. The person should not be obese or want to have the treatment to lose weight.
An ideal laser liposuction candidate needs to be in good health and near their ideal weight. It is not intended to be a weight loss treatment. Instead, it is designed to remove small sections of excess fat from the body.
The possible side effects of CoolSculpting include a stinging sensation, a feeling of tugging or pinching, pain, skin sensitivity, redness, swelling, bruising, and (rarely) an enlargement of the fat cells. Much like laser liposuction, patients who are concerned about these side effects can contact their doctor for more information and treatment options.
The possible side effects of laser liposuction include a number of possibilities. Some common side effects include pain, numbness, loose skin, scarring, infection, blood clot, discomfort, and skin discoloration. There might also be a burring sensation that can last a few days due to a buildup of liquid in the treated area. The skin can gain a look that is lumpy or dimpled and the skin might also swell after the treatment. Patients who are concerned about these treatments should contact their doctor for more information.
While both of these treatment options generally provide results that are long-lasting, and even permanent, the way they are performed differs. Patients who are interested in addressing excess and stubborn fat on their body can undergo an examination by their doctor of choice. The doctor can make sure the person is healthy enough to undergo either treatment and also set realistic expectations so the patient will have an educated and informed idea about the type of results they can expect to enjoy from CoolSculpting or laser liposuction.
