CoolSculpting is a minimally invasive fat removal procedure that can be done on different parts of the body. The treatment works by freezing stubborn fat found in the stomach, arms, buttocks, thighs, and more.
Since CoolSculpting can reduce fat in many areas of the body, can the procedure reduce the size of male breasts? Yes, CoolSculpting helps reduce fat in a male’s chest area. The procedure also helps treat gynecomastia, a condition characterized by the enlargement of male breasts.
Before receiving a CoolSculpting treatment for gynecomastia, it’s best to learn about what causes the enlargement of the male breast area and how the male and female breasts are different. This helps the patient determine whether CoolSculpting is the right treatment for their situation.
Gynecomastia or the enlargement of male breasts is caused by a hormonal imbalance in men. There are varying degrees of gynecomastia: there’s glandular (true gynecomastia) or fatty (pseudogynecomastia). Pseudogynecomastia is when fat cells collect in the chest area because of excessive weight gain. In most cases, this kind of gynecomastia can be resolved through weight loss and living a healthy lifestyle.
On the other hand, glandular gynecomastia is when the breast tissue becomes swollen because a man produces too much estrogen, but not enough testosterone to balance it out. This condition results in a development in excess glandular breast tissue.
The condition may also result from taking medicine that messes with a person’s hormones. For example, anti-androgens, antibiotics, and certain heart and anxiety medication can interfere with a male’s hormone production and result in gynecomastia. Other existing medical conditions like hyperthyroidism and kidney failure can also cause a hormonal imbalance in males.
Though gynecomastia isn’t a serious condition, males who suffer from gynecomastia may feel embarrassed about it. They might feel self-conscious when wearing body hugging clothes or when removing their shirts. The condition can be resolved when the hormones eventually balance out, but some people may feel insecure and turn to cosmetic procedures like CoolSculpting or breast reduction surgery for help.
The male and the female breast areas are generally structured the same way: they’re both made up of fat and tissue. However, female breasts consist of more fibrous tissue that is needed for breastfeeding and reproduction. Male breasts also lack lobules which are the glandular structures that produce milk in females.
Because of this key difference, CoolSculpting isn’t recommended to reduce the size of female breasts. CoolSculpting only targets fat cells in the area and since female breasts are mostly made up tissue, the process won’t be as effective.
So how does CoolSculpting help reduce the size of male breasts? The treatment offers a safe and minimally invasive method to reduce male breast size using a patented cryolipolysis technology. CoolSculpting was FDA-approved back in 2010 to initially target the flanks. But with the help of technology, it can now target other parts of the body as well, including the chest area.
This cryolipolysis technology freezes the fat in the treated area and the fat is then eliminated by the lymphatic system over time. CoolSculpting effectively targets fat cells without causing damage to any surrounding tissue or skin. It’s designed to target a patient’s subcutaneous fat that can’t be reduced even with a healthy lifestyle.
During a CoolSculpting procedure, the patient may experience some mild discomfort from the cool temperature and tugging sensation of the machine. This sensation eventually subsides as your skin goes numb from the freezing. Afterwards, the body naturally flushes out the fat and optimal results are visible in around three to six months.
A CoolSculpting treatment is recommended for people who are already living a healthy lifestyle. The procedure’s not a substitute for weight loss, and the patient needs to maintain the results through proper diet and exercise. Even thoughCoolSculpting helps remove fat cells in the treated area, the remaining fat cells can still expand and cause the patient to gain weight.
It’s important to know that even though CoolSculpting can reduce male breast size, it may not be the answer to all problems. Men who experience glandular gynecomastia are recommended to receive other treatments like surgery to yield better results. Here’s how CoolSculpting compares to a surgical breast reduction:
CoolSculpting | Surgical Breast Reduction |
Freezes fat cells in the chest area so it is naturally eliminated over time | Surgical excisions are done to the chest area to remove fat |
Requires little to no downtime with mild side effects | Requires some downtime for the scars to heal |
Doesn’t help with all degrees of gynecomastia since it can only target fat cells in the chest area | Helps with different degrees of gynecomastia since it can target both fat cells and glandular tissue |
Only removes the bulk and cannot shape the area | Can shape the breast with the help of surgical excisions |
Reduces 20-25% of the fat in the area | Offers dramatic results instantly |
There are also other non-invasive procedures that help in reducing the size of the breast area. For example, ultrasound assisted liposuction is a procedure that helps reduce fat using ultrasound energy. During this procedure, ultrasound energy is applied to the chest area to help “melt” the fat away.
Before undergoing any fat removal treatment, you should always consult with a doctor to set your expectations. They can also help determine if you’re an ideal candidate for the treatment and whether you have any medical conditions that might affect its results.
CoolSculpting is still one of the best procedures for fat reduction in the male breast area or other parts of the body, especially if you don’t want to go under the knife. The NJ Center for CoolSculpting specializes in safe and effective CoolSculpting treatments to help you achieve a more slender figure.
We have a team of highly experienced professionals you may consult with to know more about the treatment. Our team is more than happy to answer any questions you have about CoolSculpting, and we promise to offer optimal results. Call us and schedule a consultation with our team today to learn how The NJ Center for CoolSculpting can help you be more confident in your skin.
Read more: How Many Inches Can You Lose With CoolSculpting?