DIY Fat Freezing: How Safe Is It?

For most people staying fit and looking great is a top priority. Exercise and a healthy diet are often the best ways to achieve this. However, some fat bulges are stubborn and are resistant to exercise and diet. This is where fat freezing (also known as cryolipolysis) comes in. Cryolipolysis helps to eliminate stubborn fat cells in different areas of the body. The only FDA Approved treatment for cryolipolysis is CoolSculpting.

Coolsculpting can only be performed by a medical practice with a licensed medical director and the procedure aims to reduce fat in targeted areas of the body using a vacuum applicator. The fat cells in that area will continue to break down for the next few weeks after the procedure. Sometimes, you may need a follow-up treatment to get the desired result.

Because CoolSculpting is such an effective procedure, it has gained wide popularity among individuals trying to get rid of that stubborn fat on different parts of their body. As with most medical aesthetic procedures, when something is effective you can expect there to be a slew of “alternatives” to follow up and capture some of the market. This is why some of the DIY alternatives have come into the market. There are actually people trying to attempt to freeze their fat at home to save cost. They hope that they will get the same result as they would when they go for an in-office fat-freezing procedure. But how safe is DIY fat freezing?

What are DIY fat freezing methods?

Fat freezing at home can often involve the use of several different modes of “Cooling”. Some of these include but are not limited to ice, cooling garments, and other frozen products. Experts have said that you are not likely to see any significant results when ice is applied to the skin to freeze fat. Because these methods involve placing cold temperatures directly on the skin, the ice freezes the skin, slowly causing damage to it. This process is quite different from the treatment that a professional provides during a CoolSculpting session. The manufacturers of CoolSculpting have proprietary technology built into the machine so that your treatment will kill the fat cells underneath the skin without damaging other parts of your body. Over the following weeks, treated fat cells will collapse and are excreted through natural waste. This is permanent fat cell reduction; they are gone for good. That is right…gone forever!  You cannot expect the same result from a DIY CoolSculpting treatment as there is no technology in place to prevent the cooling mechanism from damaging unwanted parts of your body. Here are some of the aftereffects of freezing fat at home:

• Numbness
• Pain
• Cold
• Permanent tissue damage
• Frostbite

The risks associated with DIY CoolSculpting are far more than those that come from having the actual procedure done. Additionally, you may need medical attention to repair tissue that you may have damaged during the DIY treatment. This will mean spending money on medical care. You can prevent situations like this when you go to a professional to provide CoolSculpting treatment for you like Village Dermatology.

Why Choose Coolsculpting?

Coolsculpting is an FDA-cleared procedure that is effective for permanently eliminating fat pockets. The procedure is for helping individuals sculpt those difficult areas of the body that are not responding to diet and exercise.

Coolsculpting is quite safe as it does not involve surgery and is performed under the close supervision of a doctor.

You are much safer with a medical expert than trying to freeze fat at home.

Conclusion

First, while Coolsculpting is a safe procedure it is recommended that you come in for a complimentary consultation to make sure the treatment is right for you, as it is not recommended for everyone. Secondly, It is advisable to consult with a medical practice that has experienced CoolSculpting providers that have a history of performing the procedure and getting results. Here at Village Dermatology our CoolSculpting specialist is one of the only Master Level Specialists in the Southeast. Finally, if you cannot currently afford the cost of a CoolSculpting treatment, you might want to check out Care Credit as they offer some 0% interest plans that can help you work the treatment into your budget. As always please let us know if you have any questions.

Live a beautiful life,

The Village Dermatology Team

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