How is fat freezing performed and does it burn the skin?

Question

How cold do you have to freeze the fat with cool Machine for it to really freeze those cells like -10 below? And will it " burn" the skin being that cold?

Muhammad Mirza, MD (license suspended) · Answer

Thank you for your question. Fat freezing should not burn your skin. The device used for fat freezing cools the skin to a level which causes fat cells to freeze, but does not harm any surrounding tissue. These frozen fat cells disintegrate and then safely leave the body through natural processes. The most common side effects are soreness and bruising. Burning, should not occur.

Kimberly Butterwick, MD · Answer

CoolSculpting by Zeltiq is calibrated to deliver a temperature that is low enough to send fat cells into a slow death cycle, but not low enough to affect or “freeze” skin, organs, or other tissues. In fact, referring to CoolSculpting as a “fat freezing” method is erroneous. That fat isn’t “frozen”; it’s cooled to the point where the fat cells can no longer function. Once the fat cells are sent into this slow-death cycle, they begin to destruct. Their components are then swept away and filtered through the lymphatic system. The exact temperature is a company secret.
While you may feel a cooling or numbing sensation on your skin, it will neither be “burned” nor “frozen” during your CoolSculpting session. However, your question underlines the importance of choosing to work with a board-certified dermatologist who has been certified by Zeltiq as a CoolSculpting practitioner. “Bargain” fat-freezing methods could result in injury, as they may not deliver the right temperature to the fat. Be sure you only work with a board-certified dermatologist to get your fat removed and your body sculpted.

Vaishali B. Doolabh, MD, FACS · Answer

HI angdouglas.  The temperature at which skin freezes is colder than the temperature that Coolsculpting from Zeltiq/Allergan uses (programmed into the machine) to freeze fat, so no chance of a "burn".  In addition to temperature, the length of time that the fat is cooled is also relevant to getting a good result.  Talk to your Coolsculpting provider about which applicators they suggest because the older ones use suction (more discomfort) and take longer treatment times; the new ones use a colder temperature without suction and shorter treatment time.  Best wishes,

Sacha Obaid, MD · Answer

The specifics of your question are exactly why you want coolsculpting and not an imitator.  The machine is calibrated to be just cold enough to kill the fat while preserving the skin.  Hundreds of thousands of successful treatments have been performed perfecting the process.

Philip Solomon, MD, FRCS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. The Coolsculpting technology is designed to specifically target and freeze the fatty layer without injuring the superficial structures. There is a gel pad that is placed between the applicator and your skin that also helps to prevent skin injury. The machine is also equipped with safety features to protect the skin from temperature damage. All the best, Dr. Solomon

Michael Zwicklbauer, MD · Answer

skin has a more robust blood supply and fat has some of the poorest.  As a result the machine is able to freeze fat without affecting the skin as much since it is warmed by the better blood supply

Janet Allenby, DO · Answer

Hello, Thank you for your question. Coolsculpting will not cause a freeze burn. Protective gel pads are placed on the skin to protect it.  The machine also has an automatic detection, if the skin gets too cold the treatment will stop Immediately. Hope this helps!

Ramandeep Sidhu, MD · Answer

Greta question. The freeze points for the two tissues are different so with coolsculpting the temperature goes low enough to kill the fat cells but not affect the skin. In addition the skin is protected with the gel pad too. The skin will show some redness from suction but doesn't burn.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Coolsculpting is an FDA approved treatment to permanently destroy fat cells by using cold temperatures. This will destroy fat without burning the skin. Keep in mind, for best results with Coolsculpting, a combination approach is needed. I recommend adding radiofrequency treatments like Vanquish, Venus Legacy, Exilis Ultra for skin tightening and with Z wave/Cellutone for skin smoothing. VASER with ThermiRF is a great alternative. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

CoolSculpting destroys fat cells by freezing them, but not freezing the skin.  The freezing point of water (which is within the skin), is lower than the freezing point of the fat.  So, the machine gets to a temperature that freezes that fat but does not freeze the skin.  The skin is not burned from the treatment.

How is fat freezing performed and does it burn the skin?

Answers (18)

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