DIY COOLSCULPTING: Does CoolSculpting at Home Work?
Millions of men and women have frozen away their fat using the CoolSculpting treatment. Unfortunately, as the popularity of this non-invasive fat reduction procedure continues to grow, the disturbing trend of DIY CoolSculpting continues to grow with it.
DIY CoolSculpting hacks are gaining momentum on the internet. But is DIY CoolSculpting safe? Does it work? Can ice packs really eliminate fat like a legitimate CoolSculpting treatment?
How Does CoolSculpting Reduce Fat?
The science behind CoolSculpting is called Cryolipolysis. This scientifically developed method is able to reduce stubborn bulges because fat cells are more susceptible to cold temperatures then skin cells are. Hence, temperatures that pose no threat to the skin or surrounding tissue can damage fat cells.
During the CoolSculpting treatment, an area of the body, such as belly fat is gently drawn up into a specifically contoured applicator using a vacuum mechanism. This suction is very important because it draws subcutaneous fat cells to the surface and keeps them there throughout the duration of the treatment. Once the treatment area is drawn up into the applicator, the CoolSculpting machine delivers cold air at a precisely controlled and consistent temperature, specifically between 39 and 41 degrees Fahrenheit. This cooling doesn’t actually freeze the fat cells; rather it chills them until they are irreparably damaged. Since the chilled fat cells are no longer functional, the body signals the lymphatic system to collect and process the destroyed fat cells out of the body.
Related Article: Freeze Away Belly Fat with CoolSculpting >>
Why Cryolipolysis is impossible with DIY CoolSculpting
People mistakenly think that CoolSculpting at Home using ice packs can mimic the results of actual CoolSculpting treatments. But there are several reasons why DIY CoolSculpting is not only ineffective but also dangerous.
DIY CoolSculpting Lacks Consistent temperatures
You cannot chill Your Fat with Ice packs. Ice packs cannot maintain a precisely controlled temperature that is fundamental to the cryolipolysis process. In fact, the moment you place the ice pack on your skin your body begins to transfer its heat onto the ice. This causes the temperature of the ice pack to get warmer and warmer.
DIY CoolSculpting doesn’t provide Suction
DIY CoolSculpting lacks a vital element that makes cryolipolysis possible: suction. Because fat cells are more vulnerable to the cold than other cells, fat cells will move in towards the body where it is warmer when external temperatures become too cold for them. During an actual CoolSculpting treatment, subcutaneous fat cells are drawn to the surface and kept there using a vacuum mechanism within the applicator.
In addition to drawing fat cells up to the surface, the CoolSculpting applicator exposes stubborn bulges to freezing temperatures from multiple directions, thoroughly penetrating the bulk of fat cells.
DIY CoolSculpting is Dangerous
Ice packs will freeze your skin but they will not freeze your fat.
Besides being completely ineffective DIY CoolSculpting is also very dangerous. Exposure to cold may result in thermal injuries to the skin and surrounding tissues. To avoid frostbite during a real CoolSculpting treatment, a proprietary gel pad is placed on top of the skin to insulate the tissue from the cold. In addition, the CoolSculpting machine is equipped with several safety mechanisms. For example, the applicator contains sensitive temperature gauges to ensure the skin remains at a safe temperature during the treatment. If the skin drops below the safety threshold, the CoolSculpting machine automatically turns off to avoid potential damage to the skin.
Ice packs have no such safety precautions and anyone trying CoolSculpting at home will surely freeze their skin before they freeze their fat, resulting in serious thermal injury.
As the DIY CoolSculpting trend makes its way across the internet, hospitals are reporting cases of self-inflicted injury from people attempting CoolSculpting at home. The concern within the medical community over the danger of misinformed individuals performing medical procedures at home prompted the Journal of Wound Care to publish a case study involving “Full-thickness wounds resulting from ‘do-it-yourself’ cryolipolysis.” The case study reveals grotesque images of a “of a 55-year-old woman who suffered frostbite while attempting a ‘do-it-yourself’ version of cryolipolysis.” The woman tried to freeze her fat using ice packs instead of getting a real CoolSculpting treatment from a trained specialist. The Journal of Wound Care concluded, “This case illustrates how online information of dubious quality can put the uneducated patient at risk of injury.”
Freeze Your Fat, Not Your Skin
Some people may be dissuaded from actual treatments due to CoolSculpting cost but long-term results make the investment worth it. So save yourself time, frustration, and potential injury by freezing your fat the right way: a professional Cool Sculpting treatment from an extensively trained and experienced Staten Island CoolSculpting provider.
Get started with the premier CoolSculpting Staten Island provider by scheduling a free consultation online or by calling 718-448-3800 Emerson Medical today at. At Emerson Medical, all CoolSculpting treatments are preformed by Dr. Natalya Chalik, MD, who specializes in weight loss and fat reduction and can provide amazing results that you will absolutely love.
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