Non-surgical body contouring with CoolSculpting® has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Health Canada since 2010.
During this time, the procedure has proven to be effective.
“Does CoolSculpting work?” is not a question that people are asking anymore.
Then, in 2018, Health Canada also granted regulatory approval for the truSculpt iD® radio frequency fat removal system (there are also others on the market). This CoolSculpting® alternative uses a process called thermolipolysis to ‘melt away’ fat cells. It also targets stubborn fat, as opposed to being an alternative for liposuction. However, since it uses heat, it comes with the added benefit of tightening skin while also removing fat non-surgically.
These two procedures, colloquially known as CoolSculpting® and hot sculpting, are both non-invasive. They are equally effective at permanently removing fat cells from certain parts of the body – especially areas stubborn to diet and exercise.
The only question is, “which one is right for YOU?”
So how should you decide which fat removal process to go for? In this post, we’ll highlight the differences between the two procedures, to help you in your decision-making process.
Differences between CoolSculpting® and hot sculpting
According to Beautiful Canadian Laser and Skincare Clinic, which offers CoolSculpting® in Vancouver, as well as fat melting with the truSculpt® iD machine, the main differences between CoolSculpting® and Hot Sculpting come down to their procedure methods, their procedure times, areas they can treat, how they feel and any downtime involved.
Procedure methods
What is a CoolSculpting® procedure like?
CoolSculpting® ‘freezes’ fat away through cryolipolysis. After a thin gel pad is applied to the treatment area, an applicator delivers vacuum pressure to the fat ‘pocket.’ In effect, the applicator pulls the fat into its cooling panels. The machine starts cooling the targeted region, without affecting top layers of skin (other than minor redness).
Meanwhile, subcutaneous fat cells are frozen – a state in which they can not survive. Surrounding tissue and muscles are not affected. Over the next 12 weeks, the body naturally removes the dead fat cells. That’s when results become more and more visible.
What is a hot sculpting procedure like?
Above, we mentioned that with hot sculpting, thermolipolysis is the action by which fat can be ‘melted away.’ The heat actually comes from radio frequency waves, such as with the truSculpt® iD fat removal machine.
While fat cells can’t survive if they’re frozen, they also can’t survive if they’re too hot. Heat kills the fat cells during this treatment. Afterwards, the body naturally removes the dead cells over time, just like with cryolipolysis.
The application of truSculpt® iD does not involve a vacuum suction or panels. Instead, flat paddles are applied to the area being treated. They are firmly secured by sticky binders that protect the skin, and keep the paddles in place. The treated area is heated to about 45 degrees Celsius (it varies from case to case). In the end, it reduces fat by approximately 20-25% percent (the same as with CoolSculpting®).
In addition to removing fat, remember that truSculpt® iD also tightens skin.
Procedure Times
How long does CoolSculpting® take?
CoolSculpting® takes 35 minutes to 6 hours per session, depending on what part of the body is being targeted, and the goal of the treatment. Technicians may leave you in a room by yourself while the machine does the work. Of course, they will be nearby and always available.
It may take 1 – 2 sessions to complete a CoolSculpting® treatment for a given area.
How long does hot sculpting take?
With the truSculpt® iD, treatments take about 15 minutes for each area. This time can add up, as it does with CoolSculpting®, if you are treating more than one area in a single session. The technician is usually with you the entire time.
A hot sculpting procedure is able to reach a wider area faster than CoolSculpting®. However, it can also take multiple treatments to see full results desired.
Treatable areas
Areas that CoolSculpting® can treat
CoolSculpting® targets small areas of the body where stubborn fat deposits can be pulled under a hand-held vacuum device. So, it works best to remove ‘jelly fat’ found in the following areas:
- Belly (upper and lower abdomen)
- Waist and hip
- Upper arm
- Back
- Chest (such as for ‘man breasts’)
- Bra bulges (upper sides of female breasts)
- Front, outer, and inner thigh
- Buttocks
- Chin (submental fullness, or a double chin)
Areas that hot sculpting can treat
Hot sculpting works especially well to remove ‘tight’ or ‘hard’ fat, as opposed to ‘pinchable’ fat. It also works to tighten sagging skin. It can treat the following areas and conditions:
- Belly (upper and lower abdomen, including a post-pregnancy, stretched belly)
- Cellulite on the butt and hips
- Waist and hips (front, back and sides)
- Upper arms
- Breasts (bra bulges)
- Thighs
- Buttocks
- Chin (submental fullness, or a double chin)
How fat removal treatments feel
How CoolSculpting® feels
With CoolSculpting®, you will feel a firm tug and intense cold as the applicator pulls the targeted bulge into the panel. However, no anaesthetic is needed (it is not that painful).
After the applicator is removed, the treatment area is massaged, which can feel a little strange, especially while it is being brought back to its normal temperature.
How hot sculpting feels
Unlike CoolSculpting®, hot sculpting is, of course, a warm sensation rather than a cold one. Again, no anaesthetic is required, since this procedure is not that painful. It feels similar to a heating pad or hot stones being applied to your skin. It may cause some sweating.
Downtime and side effects involved with fat removal treatments
Downtime and side effects with CoolSculpting®
CoolSculpting® can cause some temporary swelling, bruising, tenderness or numbness for up to a few weeks (though most of these feelings go away after a few hours). You can return to your regular routine immediately after the procedure.
In rare cases, other side effects can occur. Some people with pre-existing conditions should not get CoolSculpting® done. A doctor should advise you for your particular case.
Downtime and side effects with hot sculpting
Hot sculpting can cause some redness on the treatment area, but there is no real, long-term discomfort. The redness normally goes away within a few hours (or less). Patients return to their regular lives immediately after the procedure.
Like with CoolSculpting®, people with pre-existing conditions may not be eligible for hot sculpting, depending on the technology used. Always give your full medical history to the practitioner before this (or any) procedure.
How to decide between CoolSculpting® and hot sculpting
While each method of fat removal has its perks, in most cases, a combination of the two treatments can help patients achieve ultimate results. The best option is to use the services of a clinic that can offer both methods, thus providing you with ‘combo’ fat removal treatments.
But, if you have to choose one, below are the major points to keep in mind when deciding between CoolSculpting® and hot sculpting, as discussed above:
CoolSculpting® offers a wide range of applicators to treat many areas of the body where fat is ‘pinchable.’ Hot sculpting works great on areas of ‘hard’ fat.
Hot sculpting has the advantage of being able to target a wider surface area, in a shorter time. It can tighten the surrounding skin to prevent sagging after the fat is eliminated, too.
Both treatments have about the same efficacy rate. Both take about 12 weeks after treatments to see results.
Neither requires anaesthetic or surgery, nor do they come with severe downtime.
However, an experienced practitioner should make their recommendations based on a number of factors like body type, medical conditions, type of fat, area being targeted, and patients goals.
