How does it work? The exact mechanisms are not fully understood. However, it is thought that cell death of the adipocytes is mediated through an inflammation response that is initiated at temperatures between -2 and 7 degrees Celsius (1). This inflammatory response in not immediate during the treatment. Instead is begins between 3-4 days after the treatment and peaks around 14 days post-treatment. During this time macrophages and phagocytes get rid of the dead fat cells by engulfing them (1). Unlike other treatments, other tissues types are not effected by the procedure (1).
Treatment with Cool Sculpting, also know as cryolipolysis on the back and flank has been associated with a 20-26% reduction in fat content (1). However, this is not instant, it takes about 4-6 months to see full reduction in fat content and takes more than one treatment of Cool Sculpting.
Although effective, it is only meant for people with those "no matter how much I exercise or diet I cannot loose these love handles" and not for severely over weight people (2).
1. Jewell ML, Solish JN, Desilets CS. Oct 2011. Noninvasive body sculpting technologies with an emphasis on high-intensity focused ultrasound. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 35(5): 901-12.
2. Ferraro GA, De Francesco F, Cataldo C, Rossano F, Nicoletti G, D'Andrea F. June 2012 Synergistic effects of cryolipolysis and shock waves for noninvasive body contouring. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 36(3): 666-679.
Cool post Christine. I was wondering if any of the articles mentioned how temperatures of -2 to 7 degrees Celsius do not kill epithelial cells. Also, how is the procedure performed?
ReplyDeleteChristine,
ReplyDeleteThis post is extremely interesting. I have often thought that it was not possible to lose weight on "love-handles" regardless of the amount or type of exercise done. I was wondering how effective this procedure is, assuming that post-treatment the individual would have to continue exercising frequently? Were there any articles that discussed the success rate or implications caused from this procedure?
Christine,
ReplyDeleteI found your blog post awesome. I have heard of the cold sculpting that some people are undergoing as a way to lose weight. However, do you think that the inflammation response may have side effects? I would assume that long term inflammation about 4-6 months might not be very good on the overall health of the body. Also does the cold have any side effects like causing blood vessels to constrict, minimizing blood flow, etc.?
I have also heard of a new FDA approved laser that removes fat called Zerona. This laser works in a similar fashion but melts the fat from adipocytes which is then cleared out of the body by natural processes. I would think this laser, just like cold sculpting but without the temperature, would be just as effective or maybe more effective than the cold sculpting. I have seen that results from Zerona are not as good as cold sculpting though- so I wonder which one is a better choice when getting rid of those love handles!
Rettner R. 2010. FDA approves fat-busting laster, but do results last [online]? Live Science. Availible from:
http://www.livescience.com/10085-fda-approves-fat-busting-laser-results.html
Very interesting! I'm just curious as to where you heard about this? How often is this procedure performed, is it available everywhere, when would it be recommended? Also, is it only affective on the back and flank, or has it ever been used on other areas (e.g. for stomach fat)? Do you think this has any implications for insurance companies (i.e. if it's only for people who literally cannot lose weight without it, is it necessary or cosmetic)? Just curious to see what you think. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting, however, I thought our fat cells never went away. I know they shrink when we lose weight but the amount of cells stays the same. Do they know the long term effects of killing the cells? What does it do to the body? Also from more of a natural perspective, if someone is exercising, eating healthy, and is already skinny, but cannot get rid of the love handles, wouldn't it make sense that the body needs them for some reason? I think this sounds like a very interesting idea, I am just skeptical on how healthy it is.
ReplyDelete