If you’re searching for a non-surgical and non-invasive way to get rid of stubborn pockets of fat on a specific area of your body, your top options include SculpSure (WarmSculpting) and CoolSculpting.
It’s amazing how a group of fat cells in the wrong area can cause a lot of frustration by refusing to budge. Sometimes, you feel like these problem areas make you look bad every time you glance in the mirror, no matter how hard you work in the gym. Fortunately, it’s possible to reduce stubborn fat pockets and sculpt your body to reveal the best version of yourself.
However, deciding which body contouring option is right for you can be tricky, so let’s first tackle the SculpSure vs. CoolSculpting debate.
Sculpsure Vs. CoolSculpting – They Are Both Liposuction Alternatives
Liposuction used to be a hot trend and the go-to option for people wanting to win the battle of the bulge. The procedure involved sucking out fat cells through incisions made on the skin.
Today, lipolysis technologies like Sculpsure (WarmSculpting) or CoolSculpting are considered as better alternatives.
That’s because both these procedures make it possible to eliminate stubborn fatty tissue without surgery. SculpSure (WarmSculpting) and CoolSculpting use the principle of lipolysis to break down fat cells into their constituent molecules. These two procedures have the same goal, but they use different methods, hence the common Sculpsure Vs. CoolSculpting comparison.
As the names suggest, one uses laser heat technology while the other uses controlled cooling to break down fat cells in targeted areas. Once the fat cells are broken down into smaller molecules, the body will eliminate them over three months. This is the only major downside to either liposuction alternative since you won’t be able to see immediate results soon after the lipolysis procedure.
But on the upside, by skipping liposuction and choosing lipolysis procedures, you can recover faster without worrying about serious side effects, such as bruising, infections, and irregular contouring. Next, we will look at Coolsculpting vs. Warm Sculpting in more detail, so you can decide which liposuction alternative is best for you.
How Does SculpSure Work?
Sculpsure is a non-invasive laser lipolysis technology and a liposuction alternative that received FDA clearance in 2015 for trimming excess fat in specific areas. WarmSculpting with SculpSure involves breaking down subdermal fat cells by liquefying them with heat.
The procedure is also known as heat sculpting, and it works by emitting 1060nm wavelengths and heat energy to destroy stubborn fat cells for good. The fat cells are broken down into molecules that are easily eliminated by the body over the next three months. This heat sculpting treatment does not damage the surrounding tissue, such as the skin.
Sculpsure Can Treat for the Following Areas
- Abdomen
- Love handles (flanks)
- Arms
- Thighs (inner and outer)
- Back
- Hips
- Neck
- Chin
SculpSure Procedure
The most significant thing to note about the SculpSure procedure is that it only takes 25 minutes to complete. This fact alone is what puts Sculpsure ahead in the CoolSculpting vs. Warm Sculpting face-off.
At the start of each session, your doctor and their team will outline the areas that require treatment. It’s possible to treat up to four areas in a single heat sculpting session. Flat applicators secured by a belt system are then applied to the marked-out areas.
You’ll feel the intense heat targeting your fat cells, but there are cooling intervals to make the process more comfortable. After the procedure, you’re free to continue with your life as normal.
How Does CoolSculpting Work?
CoolSculpting is a fat-freezing procedure that received FDA clearance in 2012. Because it has been around for longer, it’s typical to find more scientific information on this procedure when researching the CoolSculpting vs. Warm Sculpting topic. However, this is slowly changing as the slightly newer Sculpsure procedure increases in popularity.
Similar to Sculpsure or heat sculpting, CoolSculpting destroys fat cells, which are then eliminated by the body over a period of up to three months. The main difference is that CoolSculpting achieves this effect by freezing fat tissues, not heating.
CoolSculpting Can Treat for the Following Areas
- Abdomen
- Torso
- Upper arms
- Bra rolls
- Love handles (flanks)
- Thighs
- Neck
- Chin
CoolSculpting Procedure
A single CoolSculpting session generally lasts between 30 and 60 minutes, though this depends on the size of the target area. During the procedure, the target area is suctioned between two paddles that subject your fat cells to controlled cooling.
Therefore, you can expect to feel a numbing sensation, but it’s typically not painful. Fat freezing only treats the area within the applicator, so it’s a great option for treating a small problem area.
Some patients have reported seeing results after a few weeks, but the rule of thumb is to wait three months to gauge the treatment’s success.
So Which Option Is Right for You? – Sculpsure or CoolSculpting?
To help you make the right decision, let’s look at the pros and cons of each option in a nutshell:
Sculpsure Pros
- Time-saving because it only takes 25 minutes
- This is a safe, non-invasive procedure that doesn’t damage surrounding tissue.
- Works for pinchable and non-pinchable areas
- Customized applicators to suit your body’s target areas.
- A highly efficient procedure that can treat up to four areas in a single session
- Controlled temperature helps keep you comfortable, especially because of the cooling cycles.
- It also helps to tighten the skin for effective body contouring.
- No bruising and no downtime afterward
- Destroys up to 24% of fat cells in the target area
Sculpsure Cons
- Results are not immediate – can take up to 3 months.
- Suitable candidates must have a BMI of 30 and below (or 43 for chin treatments only)
Coolsculpting Pros
Non-invasive and safe fat reduction and body contouring procedure
- FDA cleared to treat more areas that Sculpsure
- Destroys up to 23% of fat cells in the target area in 3 months
CoolSculpting Cons
- You only qualify for the treatment if you have pinchable fat.
- Sessions last longer compared to Sculpsure
- Fewer areas can be treated per session.
- The effect also takes longer to notice – up to 3 months.
- Side effects include bruising of the skin because of the suctioning.
The bottom line is that although both options have their own advantages, Sculpsure – the newer kid on the block of lipolysis technology – appears to take the lead. Keep in mind that both procedures are not for weight loss. Instead, they are meant to help you sculpt your dream body by eliminating fat cells in problem areas.
Interested in Sculpsure? Book Your Treatment Sessions in Tamarac, Florida
Dr. Andrew Krinsky is an experienced health professional who specializes in Sculpsure body contouring in Tamarac, Florida. Together with his qualified and trained team, they have helped many patients get their “lunchtime lipo” and reduce fat pockets in problem areas.
Get in touch, and we will help you determine if you’re a good candidate for Sculpsure and the number of sessions required for best results.
