South Bay Plastic Surgeons
3640 Lomita Boulevard #306
Torrance, CA 90505
Phone: (310) 784-0644
Monday-Friday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
The Spa at South Bay Plastic Surgeons
3640 Lomita Boulevard #309
Torrance, CA 90505
Phone: (310) 784-0670
Monday-Friday: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
Wednesday: 9:00 a.m.–8 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
CoolSculpting® Elite
At The Spa at South Bay Plastic Surgeons in Torrance, women and men visit us for CoolSculpting from Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and surrounding communities to freeze away unwanted fat they may not be able to shed through diet and exercise alone. CoolSculpting Elite represents the next generation of the revolutionary technology called cryolipolysis to freeze and kill stubborn fat cells without surgery, needles, or anesthesia.
What Is CoolSculpting Elite?
More than a decade after the FDA first cleared the groundbreaking CoolSculpting fat reduction procedure, CoolSculpting Elite elevates the technology to a new level. What sets CoolSculpting Elite apart from its predecessor?
Improvements include:
- A redesigned suite of applicators that make contact with more tissue, treating up to 18% more surface area. That results in faster treatment times.
- Dual applicators on one CoolSculpting machine means providers can treat 2 areas at the same time.
- Cleared by the FDA to treat 9 specific areas
The bottom line: CoolSculpting Elite is more effective and efficient than previous CoolSculpting treatments.
What Is the Science Behind CoolSculpting?
Many people, including those who are physically fit, struggle with pockets of localized fat that can cause unsightly bulges and mar an otherwise smooth, toned physique. Using proprietary cryolipolysis technology developed by 2 Harvard-based physicians, CoolSculpting Elite targets fat cells exclusively and destroys them without damaging the skin’s surface or surrounding tissue.
The amount of fat cells in any adult’s body is typically fixed. When we lose weight, we don’t lose fat cells. Instead, our existing fat cells simply shrink. The only certain way to remove fat cells from the body is via procedures such as surgical liposuction or CoolSculpting, which applies cold energy outside the skin to target the fat cells beneath. These cells are more vulnerable to cold than other tissues, which remain unharmed. Once fat cells are frozen, they die in a natural process called apoptosis and are safely filtered out of the body by the lymphatic system over the course of a few months.
Who is a good candidate for CoolSculpting Elite?
Generally, the best candidates for CoolSculpting Elite are in good health, prefer a nonsurgical approach to body contouring, and are open to gradual, subtle fat reduction. Some CoolSculpting patients are concerned that larger areas of stubborn fat will require too many treatments or that their skin is too loose to benefit from the procedure. Because we want to ensure that CoolSculpting is the ideal treatment option for your needs, we offer free consultations with one of our doctors for patients who are unsure about what’s best for them.
In some cases, we may recommend ThermiTight® for nonsurgical skin tightening. Surgical options, such as liposuction, may also be a more appropriate approach for fat reduction. If you are also looking to target cellulite in the buttocks and thighs, Aveli™ can provide a smoother appearance. Some patients can benefit by combining nonsurgical skin tightening with CoolSculpting, which can produce optimal results.
CoolSculpting Elite’s Specialized Applicators
The re-engineered applicators used for CoolSculpting Elite fit more snugly than the original applicators and improve the effectiveness and comfort of the CoolSculpting treatment. The applicators fall into 1 of 3 categories:
Curve Series
These applicators address back fat, bra fat, and abdominal fat, as well as fat under the chin, below the jawline, on the flanks, and under the buttocks. C-shaped cups replace the U-shape of previous applicators, enhancing the suction and covering up to 18% more surface area. This produces more even results with shorter treatment times.
Flat Series
Designed to fit straight, vertical areas of pinchable fat, these 2 applicators are used for treating spots such as the upper arms and inner thighs.
Surface
Areas with fat that’s difficult to pinch require an applicator that rests on the skin without suction. The outer thighs and the upper abdomen are the primary target areas for this applicator.
Whatever applicator we use, the result of the CoolSculpting treatment is still the same—breaking down fat cells through controlled cooling.
What Areas Does CoolSculpting Elite Treat?
CoolSculpting Elite is cleared by the FDA to treat 9 different areas. It’s an ideal procedure for adult men and women who are bothered by small amounts of stubborn fat that are resistant to diet and exercise. With one CoolSculpting treatment, as much as 25% of the fat cells in that area will die. Even though CoolSculpting doesn’t yield results as significant as those of liposuction, it’s a great option for people looking for a non-invasive way to effectively reduce specific areas of fat, including on the:
- Abdomen
- Flanks (love handles or muffin tops)
- Inner and outer thighs
- Upper arms
- Lower and upper back (bra fat)
- Below the chin (double chin) and jawline
- Under the buttocks (banana roll)
It’s important to understand that CoolSculpting is not for weight reduction. It’s best for someone who is at or near a healthy weight and wishes to contour specific “trouble spots.” During your consultation, your physician carefully evaluates your areas of concern to determine whether CoolSculpting is the right option for you. You may also discuss the cost of your CoolSculpting procedure, which may vary depending on your selected treatment areas and the amount of fat you’d like to remove.
How Much Does CoolSculpting Elite Cost?
The cost of your CoolSculpting Elite treatment depends on the area targeted and how many treatment sessions are needed to produce the results you want. We create personalized treatment plans after consulting with patients and learning about their concerns and cosmetic goals.
CoolSculpting Expertise
Our CoolSculpting providers–Erica and Frida, along with spa manager Brittany Hall–have all completed extensive CoolSculpting University training. Their experience benefits our patients because they’re able to customize treatments based on a person’s unique needs. We also offer CoolSculpting more often than many other practices, with Monday through Saturday appointments available during our normal hours plus Wednesday evenings until 8 p.m.
What Happens During a CoolSculpting Elite Procedure?
Because CoolSculpting is completely non-invasive, the treatment process is simple. You’re invited to make yourself comfortable in a private treatment area. Many patients bring their laptops, tablets, or books to occupy them while the treatment takes place. A member of our medical team applies a special gel pad to the targeted area of your body to protect your skin and evenly conduct CoolSculpting’s low temperature.
Your provider then places an applicator with cooling plates over the gel pad. Depending on which area you want to target, we use a different handpiece that either suctions a bulge of fat between cooling panels or is simply strapped against your skin. Once the applicator is positioned, it delivers cold energy that penetrates your skin. It may feel intense initially, but the area soon becomes numb, much like using an ice pack.
In order for CoolSculpting to be effective, fat cells must be exposed to a consistent temperature for a sustained amount of time – typically about 1 hour for the bulging fat of the abdomen or back and longer for areas such as the thighs. Because many people undergo CoolSculpting on multiple areas of their bodies, we can give you a specific timeline during your consultation so that you can plan your day accordingly. Keep in mind that no special preparation is necessary prior to your CoolSculpting appointment, and you won’t have any activity restrictions afterward.
CoolSculpting in Style
We want our CoolSculpting patients to be comfortable during the procedure, so we’ve created a dedicated “CoolSculpting Getaway” at the med spa. The room includes iPads with your choice of Netflix shows to keep you entertained during the treatment. And for patients whose procedures last 2 or more hours, we’ll order breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
How Long Is Recovery After CoolSculpting?
There is no downtime needed after a CoolSculpting Elite treatment, but the treatment areas will be temporarily red and swollen. You may also feel some soreness, but it’s not typically severe enough to prevent you from going about your usual activities. This is a normal reaction, and our staff will let you know what to expect after your first treatment. You may return immediately to your regular routine, including working out, running errands, or doing chores.
Over the next few days, the redness and swelling will dissipate. Although you may not initially notice any change, your results will gradually develop over the course of the next few months as your body filters away the destroyed cells. You can expect a total fat reduction in the treated area of about 25%.
Many people are satisfied with their results after a single CoolSculpting Elite treatment, but you may choose additional treatments. Although your results may last indefinitely, it’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle after CoolSculpting Elite. Your remaining fat cells can still enlarge in relation to your eating and exercise habits. By keeping up your good habits after treatments, you can enjoy your proportionate, toned physique for years to come. To visit us for safe, effective, FDA-cleared CoolSculpting Elite treatments, request a consultation online, or call South Bay Plastic Surgeons at (310) 784-0644 and one of our helpful staff members will schedule your appointment.
Important Safety Information (ISI): CoolSculpting® is FDA-cleared to treat visible fat bulges in 9 areas of the body. Some common side effects include temporary numbness, discomfort, and swelling.
Our Torrance Locations
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