As we discussed over 2 years ago, CoolSculpting doesn’t always deliver the results patients expect. The rare but serious side effects have gotten attention again after Linda Evangelista went public with her struggles after unwanted CoolSculpting results.
If you are concerned about the risks of CoolSculpting, you are not alone. Does this mean your only option is to have liposuction, a surgical procedure that requires some recovery and downtime? Not necessarily. At the Michigan Center for Cosmetic Services, we offer an alternative, non-surgical body contouring option that does not risk the potential to cause paradoxical adipose hyperplasia or PAH, the side effect causing so much concern around CoolSculpting.
The Trouble with CoolSculpting
CoolSculpting works by freezing fat cells, causing them to die off and be absorbed by the body. The treatment mechanism makes sense, and this is the way it works for the majority of people who have treatment. But for an unfortunate few, the application of cold temperature to destroy fat cells, called cryolipolysis, actually has the reverse effect.
Instead of slimming treated areas of the body, CoolSculpting can in rare cases trigger the treated fat cells to expand. This seems counterintuitive, which is why the condition is known as “paradoxical” adipose hyperplasia. Adipose is fat tissue, and hyperplasia means enlargement. The end result for patients who develop this condition is that areas of excess fat are actually more prominent than before, and the treated adipose tissue may even harden into a bump or ridge that can be felt beneath the skin.
PAH may be treatable, but as Ms. Evangelista has bravely shared, the process to correct it can be fraught with self-esteem issues, not to mention the time and expense of finding a provider who is capable of performing the revision surgery.
A Better Alternative
Many people who once considered CoolSculpting are understandably looking around for another option. Thankfully, not all non-surgical body contouring options will put the patient at risk of developing PAH. Simply put, other options that do not rely on cryolipolysis will not cause PAH.
Our practice offers Evolve™ radiofrequency body contouring from InMode, a trusted leader in cosmetic technologies. Instead of freezing adipose tissue, radiofrequency (RF) waves heat the fat cells to a point where the cell membrane is ruptured. The net result is the same – the unwanted fat is treated with minimal harm to surrounding tissue – but there is no risk of developing PAH.
We also prefer the Evolve system because the RF energy it emits can also encourage the body to produce collagen and elastin, leaving a firmer and more youthful skin texture to develop after treatment.
Why Choose Michigan Center for Cosmetic Services
Our passion for the latest proven technologies for non-surgical body sculpting and fat reduction puts you in greater control of your treatment. Dr. West is happy to discuss the full range of body contouring options available at our practice. In addition to Evolve RF body contouring, we also perform tumescent liposuction. Let’s discuss your goals and review your concerns to help you find the best treatment option!
Author: Dr. Jessica West
Dr. Jessica West is the Medical Director for the Michigan Center for Cosmetic Services in Ann Arbor. Dr. West is double board certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery and by the American Board of Otolaryngology & Facial Plastic Surgery. She is known for her superior aesthetic results, strong attention to detail, artistic eye, and honest expert opinion in regards to both surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures.
