Body Sculpting: Fat “Freezing” and Fat “Melting”

It’s no secret that diet and exercise methods that once worked in our twenties may not garner the same results as we get older. Stubborn pockets of fat (that seem to come out of nowhere!) have led many of us to start searching terms like “body sculpting near me” or “does fat melting really work?” If you’ve found yourself going down this particular internet wormhole, then this blog is for you! We’ve put together everything you’ll ever need to know about non-surgical body sculpting treatments.

What is fat melting and fat freezing?

Fat melting and fat freezing are forms of body contouring. Depending on the technology used, you can have fat removed from almost any part of your body. Unlike cosmetic surgery procedures such as liposuction, the fat melting and fat freezing options we have at Dermacare of Hampton Roads are non-invasive, pain-free treatments that can be done without any anesthesia and have little to no downtime.

So, how exactly can we “melt” or “freeze” fat? At Dermacare of Hampton Roads, we achieve this by using either Exilis Ultra or CoolSculpting.

Exilis Ultra v. CoolSculpting

Both Exilis Ultra and CoolSculpting are body contouring treatments that get rid of fat on various areas of the body. But there are key differences between the two.

CoolSculpting is a fat freezing method of body contouring.

With this technique, fatty tissue is brought down to a cold temperature wherein the fat cells crystallize. This damages the fat cells and initiates apoptosis (cell death). Once the fat cells are dead, the body flushes them out, and it’s goodbye and good riddance forever.

Exilis Ultra is our fat melting method of body contouring.

This method uses radiofrequency and ultrasound energies to heat the cells up enough to trigger apoptosis (a.k.a. cell death). Once the fat cells are dead, the body flushes them out.

Another difference between Exilis and CoolSculpting is…

CoolSculpting freezes fat through applicators applied to the skin. These applicators can generally debulk distinct bulges of fat very efficiently. This means you can potentially get rid of more fat in one sitting. This makes CoolSculpting great for getting rid of fat on large areas of the body such as the stomach, torso, thighs, and arms.

In comparison, Exilis Ultra utilizes a wand (and not applicators) to melt fat. This makes the technology more nimble and able to contour and sculpt areas of the body where CoolSculpting applicators can’t fit or be applied—so areas such as hands, feet, ankles, inner and outer thighs, neck, chin straps/jawline, etc.

At Dermacare of Hampton Roads, we assess each patient’s needs carefully then recommend the course of treatment that will help them achieve their goals. Sometimes this means starting with CoolSculpting and then following with Exilis Ultra to contour any smaller areas that CoolSculpting couldn’t reach. Sometimes it means just CoolSculpting or just Exilis Ultra. It all depends!

Fun Fact: Exilis Ultra can melt away stubborn fat AND tighten up loose skin. So if you struggle with both, our experts may recommend a series of Exilis Ultra treatments for you. (We touch more on Exilis Ultra’s amazing skin tightening abilities in this blog!)

We hope that you now have a better idea of how we can help you get rid of stubborn body fat without the cost or downtime associated with surgical cosmetic procedures. Now we’re going to answer some of the most common questions we receive about body sculpting.

Will these body sculpting procedures work for me?

Both Exilis Ultra and CoolSculpting treatments are a great, safe way for those who desire aesthetic improvement without the cost and recovery time of surgery. That being said, both of these treatments have limitations, and there are some people who will not be good candidates. Your Dermacare of Hampton Roads Expert will be able to assess your body areas, explain more, and make personalized recommendations just for you.

How many treatments will I need?

The recommended number of body contouring treatments all depends on what you’re trying to achieve. It also depends on which treatment method your Dermacare of Hampton Roads Expert recommends.

How quickly can I expect to see results?

Everyone’s body is different. Many body contouring patients will start seeing results in about 1 month. Full results are usually seen about 3 months after final treatment. However, it is not uncommon to see improvements up to 6 months later.

Is there anything I need to know before my first procedure?

Exilis Ultra – Drink lots of water! Radiofrequency travels best through hydrated skin, so pump up that water intake three days prior and up until your treatment.

CoolSculpting – We recommend avoiding anything known to thin the blood (such as fish-oil and ibuprofen) as they can increase the possibility of bruising.

Is either body sculpting treatment painful?

Exilis Ultra – Most of our patients describe the sensation of this treatment as being comparable to that of a pain-free, hot stone massage.

CoolSculpting – We don’t think so, but some patients report discomfort from how cold the applicators get. The first 3-5 minutes of a CoolSculpting cycle is the most sensitive, as your tissue is being brought down to the target temperature. For the remainder of the cycle, your tissue does not become completely numb, but the intensity of the cold is minimal. Immediately following the end of the cycle, we perform a 2-minute manual massage of the area. This either feels ticklish or a little sensitive, as your tissue warms back up and nerves reawaken.

For more information, call us at 757-547-7546 or click here to book a virtual consultation!