Is CoolSmooth harder to tolerate than Coolsculpting?

Thank you for your question. Coolsmooth is FDA approved for outer thighs. It doesn’t have a vacuum so it takes longer like 2 hours to freeze the fat. It is definitely effective as Coolsculpting. I hope this helps!

Coolsmooth operated on the same principal as Coolsculpting - freezing fat cells to the point where they are destroyed. The difference is that the Coolsmooth doesn't use suction. , Coolsmooth requires more time per treatment cycle to appropriately injure the target fat cells.  Coolsmooth is actually an easier treatment, except for having to stay still for a longer period compared to Coolsculpting.Good Luck,Dr. Kaniff

There is really no difference, however I do not feel the CoolSmooth works nearly as well as liposuction for the treatment of the thigh areas. Other body contouring devices may prove to be more beneficial for this area in the future. Best, Dr. Emer.

Actually they are very similar
– I did the CoolSmooth clinical trial in my office and patients tolerated it very well. The
biggest drawback is that you have to have it on for 2 hours instead of just the
one hour per cycle.

I have
not noticed a difference in tolerability between the two. Yes, patients seem to feel more of cold
sensation with no suction, but not more pain. In fact, many patients describe
the suction as being more uncomfortable than the cold alone.

Both CoolSmooth and the traditional suction applicators are effective at reducing fat.  The traditional suction applicators pull the treated tissue away from the underlying muscle and tissue, which contain heat.  Since the cooling is not combating the heat of the underlying tissue, the procedure takes only an hour.  With the new CoolSmooth applicator, the treated tissue stays in contact with the underlying tissue.  Therefore, an additional hour is required to reach therapeutic temperatures and induce apoptosis of the fat cells.  In my experience, patients do experience more of a sensation of cold with the CoolSmooth applicator compared to the suction applicators.  However, typically after about 15 minutes, the treated area becomes completely numb, and the patient experiences little discomfort.  I also find patients have fewer side effects (bruising, cramping, swelling) following CoolSmooth application.  Your provider should do a thorough evaluation to determine which applicators will best meet your needs and fully explain all risks and possible side effects.  Both are great options for fat reduction in the right patient.

Dear rmckenzie:CoolSmooth is Zeltiq's latest applicator and application for CoolSculpting. The explosive popularity of CoolSculpting, a NON-SURGICAL alternative for fat reduction has led to greater interest and therefore other options.Many patients are disappointed by the limitations of CoolSculpting. That is, the small amount of fat loss for the time spent. This is because fat cells must reach a certain temperature to undergo the apoptosis (self-death) and resorption. Since there is no suction on the CoolSmooth applicator, it takes 2 hours to obtain up-to 9% fat absorption. Cooling comes from only one side with the CoolSmooth applicator and not 2 sides of the skin surface as with the CoolSculpting vacuum applicators which may obtain up-to 20% fat absorption in 1 hour. The CoolSmooth is no less tolerable than a CoolSculpting vacuum applicator. On the other hand, limited fat reduction with no surgical down-time maybe just what you wish for. If you are a good candidate with proper expectations, then CoolSculpting using the vacuum applicators or CoolSmooth without vacuum maybe right for you. Your other option for large volume fat reduction and greater contouring is surgical liposuction.Consult with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who provides ALL options so you receive a less biased evaluation and recommendation. All the best!

The concept behind all the suction based applicators is that when fat is drawn into the applicator, it is isolated from the muscle, blood supply and heat, therefore, making it faster to freeze. With the CoolSmooth applicator however, the fat tissue is not isolated. The closer it is to a heat source, the longer it will take to freeze. The extra hour makes up for the fat cells not being isolated, allowing enough time for the cells to become crystalized and damaged.The CoolSmooth procedure is a fairly comfortable procedure. Unlike the vacuum based procedures, there will be no sensations of deep pulling, tugging and pinching in the area being treated. You may experience intense stinging, tingling at the beginning of the procedure when the cooling is applied. After about 5-10 minutes, the area becomes numb and the sensations will go away.