Many of us experience problem areas of fat that we can’t seem to get rid of, no matter how hard we try.  For these resistant, unwanted fat bulges, we provide our patients with several procedures for reducing them. While liposuction is a well-known and effective treatment for fat removal, we also offer two FDA-approved, non-surgical alternatives – SculpSure^® and CoolSculpting^®. For patients that do not want to or cannot undergo surgery, these are highly effective options for the treatment of unwanted fat.

Dr. Sara Yegiyants is a triple board-certified plastic surgeon with background in visual arts.  Relying on years of experience and her artistic sense, she knows how to help you achieve your goals. Alone or together, SculpSure^® and CoolSculpting^® can lead to an enhanced silhouette, and Dr. Yegiyants has helped hundreds of patients feel confident about their bodies. Our boutique plastic surgery practice serves patients in Santa Barbara and the surrounding areas and is the only practice in tri-county area offering both FDA approved non-invasive modalities for body contouring.

How do SculpSure^® and CoolSculpting^® Work?

Both SculpSure^® and CoolSculpting^® are FDA-approved, state-of-the-art treatments for stubborn fat deposits. Neither treatment requires surgery, and there are many similarities between them. In order to provide the broadest scope of treatments for her patients, Dr. Yegiyants offers both and can make recommendations about which is best for you, or whether you could benefit from combined treatments.

SculpSure^® is a type of laser lipolysis. Using a surface-cooled treatment pad, it delivers energy to the underlying fat cells, heating them to the point of killing them.  Most patients experience a warming or tingling sensation in the treatment area. The heat from the laser preferentially targets the fat cells and does not damage the surrounding tissue. 

CoolSculpting^®, or cryolipolysis, takes the opposite approach to kill fat cells, using cold temperature to essentially freeze them. Using contoured applicators of different shapes and sizes (depending on the area to be treated), the fatty bulge is gently sucked through vacuum into a pocket which is then cooled. 

Patients experience a cooling sensation that may lead to temporary numbness in the treated area; most patients tolerate the treatment quite well. Because fat cells are more susceptible to freezing than other cells, CoolSculpting^® also only targets the fat cells and does not damage the other tissue types.

While one uses heat and the other cooling, both treatments result in the death of fat cells.  And for both, it takes time for the body to process and remove these dead fat cells. Thus, results are visible over several weeks to 3 months, regardless of which treatment you are using. For both, patients can expect a reduction in their fat in the treated area of roughly 20%. Also, because the fat cells are permanently destroyed by heat or freezing, they will not return to the area regardless of which treatment you choose.

For both treatments, there is no downtime for recovery, and patients can return to daily activities right away after their treatment session. While some people may experience some redness or slight bruising, the side effects and risks for cryolipolysis and laser lipolysis are minimal in both cases.

What are the Differences Between SculpSure^® and CoolSculpting^®?

Other than the use of heat versus cooling, there are a few other differences between SculpSure^® and CoolSculpting^®.  The SculpSure^® treatment surface is flat, and up to four areas can be treated concurrently during a SculpSure^® session. In contrast, the CoolSculpting^® applicators are curved and come in multiple sizes and shapes, but only one area may be treated at a time. Because of the curved shape of the applicator, CoolSculpting^® is usually preferred for treatment of areas where there may be a bulge or roll of fat. SculpSure^® is used preferentially to treat areas that have a flat layer of fat. 

In some areas, both treatment types are considered equally effective, and patients may benefit from the use of both. Dr. Yegiyants conveniently offers treatments that are concurrent, where you can receive both laser lipolysis and cryolipolysis in a single session.

The duration of the sessions also varies by procedure – SculpSure^® treatments average about 30 minutes or less, while CoolSculpting^® treatments generally last 35 to 60 minutes.