The truth is, no matter how many sit-ups you do… no matter how many carbs you cut out… some pockets of fat are simply too stubborn to be resolved through diet and exercise alone. Although surgery may provide the most dramatic, lasting results, it’s not always a realistic option for some  patients. For small, resistant problem areas, body contouring expert Dr. Jason Emer uses non-invasive methods like CoolSculpting to freeze local fat cells and destroy them permanently.

 

The most popular non-surgical fat reduction device currently on the market, CoolSculpting provides “up to 20-25% reduction in fat layer thickness after a single session.” CoolSculpting often takes multiple treatments separated 8 to 12 weeks apart to get significant improvement.

CoolSculpting is FDA-approved to treat 9 unique areas of the body:

• Abdomen
• Flanks
• Back
• Bra roll
• Upper arm
• Under the chin (submental fat)
• Under the jawline (submandibular fat)
• Under the buttocks (“banana roll”)
• Inner and outer thighs

How does CoolSculpting work?

CoolSculpting (or cryolipolysis) is a one-of-a-kind non-invasive treatment that crystallizes fat cells. Once the treated fat cells are crystallized (or frozen), the cells die and are naturally processed and eliminated from the body over the course of about 2 to 6 months.

 

 

At the start of your CoolSculpting session, a clear gel pad is applied to the treatment area, providing a barrier between the cooling device and your skin. “During the procedure, you may experience sensations of pulling, tugging, mild pinching, tingling, stinging, aching, and cramping at the treatment site. These sensations subside as the area becomes numb.” Patients also report a feeling of intense cold in the first few minutes, which soon subsides as well. While the duration of the procedure varies depending on the areas treated, sessions are typically 30 to 60 minutes.

Immediately after the procedure, the treated area is massaged in order to break up the treated fat cells and enhance the fat reduction.

What is the “Fire & Ice” Treatment?

“Fire & Ice” is a highly popular, single-day, 2-in-1 treatment achieves 10-15% more fat removal and skin tightening. Dr. Emer first uses BTL Vanquish radiofrequency heating (“Fire”) to treat from flank to flank across the abdomen, back, or leg. Dr. Emer then uses CoolSculpting (“Ice”) to freeze and destroy the fat cells in the area and promote skin tightening. Each Fire & Ice treatment is followed by 3 to 6 weekly Vanquish + Cellutone + eVIVE shockwave therapy treatments to get continued improvement in the area.

 

Can CoolSculpting improve my double chin?

Yes! CoolSculpting is approved to treat small pockets of submental fat under the chin as well as the submandibular fat under the jawline. However, for significant fat reduction in the chin and neck, Dr. Emer proposes a combination approach using a range of invasive and non-invasive techniques, depending on the fat reduction desired and the amount of skin laxity in the area: VASER Hi-Definition Chin Liposuction, ThermiRF / ThermiTight, Kybella, Thermage, Ultherapy, InMode FaceTite / BodyTite, thread lifting with Silhouette InstaLift, and/or BTL Exilis Ultra. An experienced cosmetic dermatologist and non-surgical fat reduction specialist like Dr. Emer can determine the best multi-modality approach for you following a formal evaluation.​

 

How does Dr. Emer do it differently?

As with any non-invasive procedure, the most significant, long-term results are obtained through a patient-tailored combination approach. A renowned expert in both non-surgical and surgical fat reduction and skin tightening techniques, Dr. Jason Emer combines CoolSculpting with numerous devices and treatments.

• To enhance the results of the procedure, Dr. Emer utilizes external vibration / shockwave therapy treatments such as Cellutone, ZWave and eVIVE immediately after CoolSculpting to accelerate the healing process, minimize downtime, improve fat reduction, and ensure that all damaged fat cells are removed post-treatment.
• To improve fat reduction after Coolsculpting, Dr Emer suggests weekly BTL Vanquish treatments as well as non-invasive truSculpt iD to enhance contouring in localized areas.
• To promote skin tightening in the treated area, Dr. Emer pairs CoolSculpting with BTL Exilis Ultra, Venus Legacy, and InMode Forma/Contoura radiofrequency treatments.
• Injectable fat reducers such as Mesotherapy and Kybella can be performed in conjunction with CoolSculpting to melt stubborn fat cells. The only FDA-approved injectable treatment for diminishing stubborn double chins, Kybella dissolves fat with little downtime while simultaneously providing mild skin tightening, neck rejuvenation and jawline contouring. For best results, Dr. Emer’s patients typically undergo 4 to 6 rounds of Kybella injections over a six-month period.

• Dr. Emer also uses CoolSculpting in combination with Kybella and/or Mesotherapy to treat pockets of fat in the knees.
• To obtain the most fat removal, contouring, skin tightening and definition, a VASER Hi-Definition Liposuction procedure with ThermiRF, Renuvion, InMode BodyTite, and fat grafting gives Dr. Emer’s patients the most toned, sculpted results.

How long do CoolSculpting improvements last?

Once the fat cells are destroyed, after a series of treatments in overlapping panels, they are gone for good. However, as with all cosmetic procedures, maintenance is a must, and multiple treatments are needed to see significant improvement in body contouring and skin tightening. To maintain the results, you may need treatments a few times every year in addition to the original series of treatments.

 

Am I a good candidate for CoolSculpting?

It’s important to remember that CoolSculpting is not a weight loss treatment — nor is it a substitution for a Hi-Definition Liposuction procedure. Rather, ideal CoolSculpting candidates are athletic individuals with small, stubborn pockets of fat that have not improved with proper diet and exercise. CoolSculpting does provide mild skin tightening, which can be enhanced with a combination of radiofrequency treatments such as Exilis Ultra, Venus Legacy, and Inmode Forma/Contoura.

 

What are the risks involved with CoolSculpting?

Paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (or PAH) is a rare side effect of CoolSculpting in which, rather than losing fat cells, the patient experiences an increase in adipose tissue — or a gradual enlargement of the treatment area. While it isn’t yet known why PAH occurs or why it only impacts a small fraction of patients (predominantly men), Dr. Emer combines CoolSculpting with shock therapy treatments (such as ZWave, eVIVE, and Cellutone) to reduce the risk of PAH and other post-treatment complications, such as swelling, nodules or neuropathy (a sensation of numbness or tingling following the procedure).

Due to these potential complications and side effects, it is essential that CoolSculpting treatments are performed by an experienced provider like Dr. Jason Emer who understands the risks, can determine if you are indeed an ideal candidate for the procedure, and will do everything possible to ensure that the results align with your aesthetic goals.

Should PAH occur, the only treatments to resolve the condition are liposuction and/or surgical skin removal.

 

What is the downtime with CoolSculpting?

Patients typically experience mild bruising and swelling for up to 2 weeks after a CoolSculpting / “Fire & Ice” session, which is often an indication that the treatment is working. For this reason, Dr. Emer recommends a patient-tailored aftercare protocol that includes compression, hyperbaric oxygen, and lymphatic massage in order to decrease swelling. Radiofrequency treatments should begin immediately after treatment to decrease the swelling; however, patients can still return to the gym just 24 hours after treatment.

 

Although bruising and swelling may occur, patients can resume everyday activities immediately after their treatment.

How do I schedule a CoolSculpting consultation with Dr. Emer?

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Emer in Beverly Hills / Los Angeles / West Hollywood, California, please reach out to our concierge to schedule an appointment. Call 424-800-4140 or email us at appointments@jasonemermd.com.