DIY CoolSculpting doesn’t work and is dangerous.
I can understand the impetus behind the growing trend of DIY CoolSculpting, after all, the CoolSculpting technology was inspired by a bunch of kids sucking on Popsicles.
And who wouldn’t want a cheap alternative to a relatively expensive cosmetic treatment.
But, you would never believe that DIY liposuction is a good idea, even though a sharp straw and a vacuum is a lot cheaper than plastic surgery.
Likewise, it is a major misconception to believe DIY coolsculpting is safe or that ice packs can deliver the same benefit of CoolSculpting.
Essentially, the principle behind CoolSculpting is simple: freeze fat. But the delivery mechanism of CoolSculpting is not simple. The patented technology is quite advanced.
First of all, CoolSculpting provides precisely controlled cooling. This cooling is specifically calibrated to be cold enough to freeze fat cells, but not too cold to cause thermal injuries to skin and surrounding tissue.
Secondly, CoolSculpting uses a vacuum mechanism to isolate the treatment area, to draw up subcutaneous fat cells to the surface, and to apply a precise amount of cooling those fat cells. CoolSculpting machines and handpieces are designed to prevent injury, from the gel pads that protect the skin to numerous built in safety mechanisms.
CoolSculpting has been clinically proven to work. DIY coolsculpting has no scientific research to indicate it works. It simply has traction on the internet. But so does the cinnamon challenge. A lot of people maybe doing it, but that doesn’t make it any less stupid. (Hadley Claire King, MD, New York Dermatologist)
Cold packs will not accomplish the same effectiveness as Coolsculpting and would take a very long time to accomplish what a single 35 minute cooolsculpting treatment can perform.
Constant exposure of a area to cold/ice can cause what is known as popcicle paniculitis and mild fat atrophy but can lead to Skin issues such as frost bite , burns etc.
It will also not reach constant low temperatures (-12 degrees Celsius ) like Coolsculpting as the heat of your body will increase the temperature of ice or cold packs. (Drew Varano, MD, Washington DC Physician)
Coolsculpting or Ice pack
Ice pack might cause frost bite. With coolsculpting we use anti-freeze membrane to protect the skin. The other factor we keep the area in freezing state for 35-60 minutes depending the area and new modalities.
To breakdown the fat cells. I don’t think that is possible to do it with icepack. (Ramtin Massoudi, MD, Beverly Hills Physician)
Cold packs will make the skin cold and eventually cause damage to the skin. Fat cells have different temperature sensitivity compared to skin. Cool sculpting makes the fat cells freeze without damaging the skin. It is a simple theory but a very complicated delivery system. (Nicholas Gentry, MD, Fayetteville Physician)
CoolSculpting vs. Ice Packs
If only the death of unwanted fat cells were that cost effect but unfortunately it’s a little more complicated than it seems.
You’re on the right page with the science of freezing the fat cells, however you’re running the risk of exposure such as frost bite when there is direct contact between the skin and freezing temperatures.
The CoolSculpting adapters are specially designed to use a combination of suction and freezing to target the underlying unwanted fat cells without any damage to the skin.
It’s best to seek an in-person consultation with a Board Certified Surgeon in your area, that specializes in CoolSculpting, to evaluate the areas of concern and determine the best game plan tailored to you. (Brian K. Reedy, MD, Reading Plastic Surgeon)
Cool packs instead of cool sculpting
Basically, no. You could always try, but you might also get frost bite and severely damage your skin. (Reza Momeni, MD FACS, Summit Plastic Surgeon)
Cold packs to kill fat cells
Cold packs are uncontrolled cooling. In fact, improper use could actually create more damage than benefit. Moreover, your body heat will make it extremely difficult to reach the point that would kill fat. (Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS, West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon)
Ice packs instead of Coolsculpting
If only it were that simple…. Coolsculpting was developed over many years and millions of dollars of research to find the safest way to eliminate fat cells and not damage other surrounding cells (like skin, muscle, nerve, etc) Applying ice straight to the skin in hopes of eliminating or sculpting fat will more than likely result in frost bite or some other damage to skin cells and no improvement to fat.
I would strongly suggest not trying the ice–for your own safety and well being. (Grant Stevens, MD, Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon)
It would be great if using ice packs could kill fat cells. Unfortunately, the effect of ice packs are superficial and could lead to cold burns (like frost bite). CoolSculpting has special applicators which “suction the skin and underlying fat”.
Try it once and you’ll see that right after the applicator is removed, there is a mound of flesh left and massaging it feels like kneading formed butter. (Justin Harper, MD, Columbus Physician)
Unfortunately, cold packs can’t deliver the cooling deep enough, long enough, or cold enough (while protecting the skin from frost bite or other damage.) Please don’t try it – it won’t work and can permanently damage your skin! :). (Lauren Chavez, MD, Albuquerque Physician)
Can cold packs give same results as coolsculpting?
If cold packs would be able to freeze fat cells, Coolsculpting with its worldwide patent in elimination of fat cells, would not exist and certainly would have not successfully treated million of people. Applying ice packs to your skin can create damage and it is dangerous. (Aurora DeJuliis, MD, Montclair Physician)
Cold packs versus CoolSculpting
You are not alone in wondering if cold packs would work as well as CoolSculpting to permanently remove fat cells. We all know that too much cold can cause cold injuries such as frostbite.
However CoolSculpting is specifically designed to deliver enough cold to the fat layer to damage the cells to the point where they will die and the body will remove them permanently but not enough cold to the skin or muscle to cause a frostbite type injury.
There is much technology that went into making the CoolSculpting the safe but effective treatment that it is. Hopefully this helps to explain why CoolSculpting is the right way to use cold to kill your fat. (Mary Beth Mudd, MD, Columbus Physician)