Cool that body flab!

Felt a twinge of envy, everytime you spotted a celeb with an enviable figure? While it is indeed every woman (and man’s) dream to get their metabolism going and not pack on the pounds; several areas of the body are prone to accumulating stubborn fat, which is hard to do away with. That said, Cool Sculpting contours are the latest entrants in the cosmetic arena to remove that bulge for good! The procedure entails freezing unwanted fat with no surgery or downtime. For individuals with  BMI above 30, and who are on the lookout for ways to reduce that bulge; this is an option to consider.

Cool Sculpting by Zeltiq is the only FDA approved non surgical, fat reduction treatment that effectively eliminates fat in just one single sitting. The procedure acts on local fat deposits, breaking them down with controlled cooling. The results are noticeable and long lasting. Cool Sculpting can be done on  areas like the abdomen, upper and lower, flanks, thighs, back and arms. The treatment time and cost depends on the number of areas and the amount of pinchable fat. A session for each area can take anywhere between one to three hours.

The treatment might be uncomfortable initially as the fat is pinched by the transducer — and is subjected to freezing temperatures. But soon after, the area numbs, and there is no feeling. Instances of soreness and bruises post treatment have been reported. Some of the benefits include there being no downtime. So, this enables working professionals to return to work immediately post cool sculpting surgery. You can also resume exercise. Additionally, the treatment is FDA-approved, non-surgical, eliminates fat and requires no needles.

Certainly, Cool Sculpting is pegged as a breakthrough, which can promise immediate and significant results. However, it is never a replacement for a healthy lifestyle to reduce overall weight. Basically put, it is spot reduction for areas that do not respond to diet and exercise. So, if one can take care with healthy eating and exercise post treatment, then can maintain the results permanently. A prior consultation with an expert is recommended before going ahead with the idea. A session may cost anywhere between '1-3 lakh. The cost of the procedure is subject to variations, depending upon the expertise, time and the resources involved and the intensity of the situation.

The writer is a Bengaluru-based  cosmetic dermatologist and hair transplant surgeon.