Non-invasive body contouring is a well-known industry within the United States, with CoolSculpting’s crylipolysis technology for fat-freezing being the leader in the field.
The price runs between $600-$2,000 for a treatment area there’s no reason to wonder why certain consumers are searching for a lower-cost alternative. Is putting an ice-pack against your stomach really ridding you of those stubborn fat cells? We asked experts.
CoolSculpting and its competitors
CoolSculpting is the brainchild of Harvard University scientists Dr. Dieter Manstein and Dr. R. Rox Anderson. The two scientists initially had an intense fascination with a condition referred to as, “popsicle panniculitis” which causes babies who are in the process of teething to exhibit indications of the loss of fat in their cheeks after enjoying some popsicles.
After many trials and errors, they could establish an association between exposure to cold temperatures and the reduction of localized fat accumulation.
To reduce fat and not harm adjacent body tissues, Manstein and Anderson devised an experimental device that produced results at temperatures which were around 19degF (-7degC). The test was hailed by the public, and the basic concept CoolSculpting — which currently is operating at 39degF (4degC) -was created.
CoolSculpting’s commercial success and the current research literature about cryolipolysis have led to the creation of cooling suits as well as at-home devices that trigger the loss of fat in the skin.
The practice of at-home frozen fat is extremely popular within the bodybuilding and fitness community. The reason for this can be attributed to the former NASA research scientist Ray Cronise, who claims that by utilizing the thermodynamic laws he was capable of reducing a significant number of pounds.
At a conference he presented during the annual TEDMED conference, a few years back, Cronise theorized that by making his body an insulated thermostat and properly exposing it to cold temperatures, he might increase the rate of fat loss.
Cronise attributes his idea to having watched Olympic athlete Michael Phelps on TV, who was at the time taking in more than 12,000 calories per day, but was still fit and slim. “Then I realized it was the cold water that caused Phelp’s body to keep its temperature stable,” he announced to the crowd of medical and health experts.
It’s not surprising that to increase the effects that come from DIY CoolSculpting, a few professional trainers or wellness sites strongly recommend drinking lots of cold water each morning, having a cold shower or a regular freezing bath, performing outside exercise during winter, and lowering the temperature by a few degrees in the evening.
As is the norm in the case of “miracle” treatments and weight loss programs, Some assertions are actually founded on solid research. In a study conducted in 2014, researchers found that exposure to the ice for 30 minutes could transform the white substance into “a type of brown fat.” Dr. Philip Kern, one of the authors of the study at the University of Kentucky School of Medicine called this “beige fat.”
Brown adipose tissues (BAT) are known to be thermogenic tissue. It makes use of fat to generate heat, like when you’re shivering. It’s also more in abundance than white fat, which accounts for about 20% of total body mass for men and 25 percent of body weight for women.
To mimic CoolSculpting in the comfort of your home Kern recommends applying a cloth icepack on your skin for 30 mins every day. Researchers have discovered that this method is sufficient to trigger three genetic markers that are linked to brown and beige fat.
It is important to note however that obese people will have a tougher to transform their adipose tissue from beige to white as inflammation slows down fat burning.
In spite of these findings, there are few, if any studies based on evidence that recommend “do-it-yourself” CoolSculpting procedures. Actually, there is no expert we talked to who endorses this method.
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It is also crucial to keep in mind that negative consequences of this procedure could include bruising, pain that is late-onset, and tingling. Other side effects include swelling, discomfort in the skin, and cramping that may last for a few weeks.
Freezing At You Own Risk
Dr. Michele S. Green, a Cosmetic dermatologist with board certification from New York City, is staunchly opposed to at-home fat freezing.
“These at-home freezing machines aren’t working in any way,” states Green, whose articles have been published by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology as well as The Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
In addition, she warns us to avoid freezing the fat in your home as it could result in injuries. Ice packs applied to the skin can result in skin blisters, frostbite, and even serious burns if applied in direct contact with the skin.
While cold burns are prevented by placing a small specialized cloth between the body and the packs, it is not able to provide the same level of temperature in the body contouring device.
CoolSculpting however is FDA-approved and comes with safety features. The procedure is done under the supervision of a specialist, and targets particular parts of the body to achieve the ideal temperature. This lets the device freeze fat tissue subcutaneously while keeping the skin free of any damage.
“These devices really protect your skin” claims Green. “CoolSculpting would not be earning a lot of money If you could just make it possible to freeze the fat in your home with two Ice cubes and an icepack.”
What About Cold Body Wraps?
There is no data to support these methods. No professionals we reached out to recommend it for the function of weight loss.
There are those who believe that CoolSculpting is just a costly treatment for cosmetics that does little to improve overall health. Incredibly, exposure to cold was used to treat ailments since the beginning of Roman ice-baths is believed to produce a decrease in the number of illnesses in some clinical studies.
One thing’s for certain: weight loss will not stop generating enormous interest anytime soon. The need for simple and cost-effective fat loss is uncontested.
In the meantime, until further research is done However, anyone who is interested in DIY CoolSculpting should do so at their risk. Stick to professional machines for this type of method!
